Tacoma Voters to Decide Measure 1 on November 4

The upcoming ballot initiative seeks to increase penalties for landlords and mandate new safety inspections.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Apartments

Isometric editorial illustration showing a sturdy residential building facade with a prominent door lock, representing municipal housing safety policy in Tacoma. — Tacoma voters will decide the fate of Measure 1 on November 4, an initiative proposing a new rental license fee and safety inspections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the city of Tacoma increase penalties for landlords who violate tenant safety laws?

Tacoma voters will head to the polls on November 4 to decide on Measure 1, a local initiative aimed at improving landlord compliance with safety laws. The measure proposes establishing a rental license fee and enforcing penalties for code violations.

Why it matters

The proposal seeks to provide tenants with a clear legal avenue to contest safety violations, addressing a lack of enforcement mechanisms for the 2023 Landlord Fairness Code. Supporters and opponents remain divided over the potential impact on housing costs for providers.

Large landlords, defined as those with 25 or more dwelling units, must obtain a license within 18 months, while penalties for code violations start at $500. The measure mandates the city collect and publish landlord information in a searchable database.

The players

Tacoma For All

This political action committee is the primary organization supporting the passage of Measure 1.

Rental Housing Association of WA

This organization operates a political action committee that has raised over $248,000 to oppose the measure.

Goodman Real Estate

This firm donated $175,000 to the Rental Housing Association of WA PAC to help lead the opposition campaign.

The details

If passed, the city will fund enforcement through a new rental license fee and fines collected from property owners found in violation of safety standards. The policy specifically targets compliance with safety laws and creates a system to track repeat offenders.

2023: The city of Tacoma passed the Landlord Fairness Code initiative.
November 4, 2026: Tacoma voters will decide on Measure 1.

Culture Shift

This initiative reflects a broader trend of local governments implementing stricter rental market regulations to address housing safety. It builds upon the framework of the 2023 Landlord Fairness Code to shift oversight from tenant-led complaints to city-mandated licensing.

Tacoma residents can expect changes to how rental properties are licensed and monitored if the measure passes. Tenants will gain a formal process to report violations, while landlords may face increased operational costs due to new licensing fees.

The takeaway

The election marks a significant moment for Tacoma's rental market, pitting tenant safety oversight against the concerns of housing providers regarding cost. Voters will essentially decide the future balance between city enforcement and landlord operational flexibility.