Prohibited use of criminal history
Seattle Mun. Code § 14.09.025
in effect14.09.025 - Prohibited use of criminal history
A. It is an unfair practice for any person to:
1. Advertise, publicize, or implement any policy or practice that automatically or categorically excludes all individuals with any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history from any rental housing that is located within the City.
2. Require disclosure, inquire about, or take an adverse action against a prospective occupant, a tenant, or a member of their household, based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except for information pursuant to subsection 14.09.025.A.3 and subject to the exclusions and legal requirements in Section 14.09.115.
3. Carry out an adverse action based on registry information of a prospective adult occupant, an adult tenant, or an adult member of their household, unless the landlord has a legitimate business reason for taking such action.
4. Carry out an adverse action based on registry information regarding any prospective juvenile occupant, a juvenile tenant, or juvenile member of their household.
5. Carry out an adverse action based on registry information regarding a prospective adult occupant, an adult tenant, or an adult member of their household if the conviction occurred when the individual was a juvenile.
B. If a landlord takes an adverse action based on a legitimate business reason, the landlord shall provide written notice by email, mail, or in person of the adverse action to the prospective occupant or the tenant and state the specific registry information that was the basis for the adverse action.
C. If a consumer report is used by a landlord as part of the screening process, the landlord must provide the name and address of the consumer reporting agency and the prospective occupant's or tenant's rights to obtain a free copy of the consumer report in the event of a denial or other adverse action, and to dispute the accuracy of information appearing in the consumer report.
(Ord. 125515, § 2, 2018; Ord. 125393, § 2, 2017.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT14HURI_CH14.09USSCREHO_14.09.025PRUSCRHIFetched: 11/1/2026