Legal Defense
The WBPA exists to protect, defend, and advocate for property rights across Washington State, and when necessary uses legal action to do so.
When the Legislature or a city council oversteps, WBPA goes to court.
WBPA's Legal Defense Fund pays for lawsuits, amicus briefs, and public records actions that protect property owners' constitutional rights. We file on our own, join coalitions, and support cases that could set precedent for every property owner in Washington.
A recent win: Kenmore
WBPA sued the City of Kenmore over its 2022 rental ordinance. In 2024, the city settled and repealed parts of the ordinance. One lawsuit, and owners across the city got relief.
Where we have been in court
- Rent caps. WBPA is a funder and coalition member in MHCW v. State of Washington, the constitutional challenge to the 2025 statewide rent cap (EHB 1217). The case is headed to appeal.
- Eviction moratoriums. Challenges to the statewide and Seattle COVID-era eviction moratoriums.
- Local rental and land use rules. Cases against city ordinances that restrict how owners can use and rent their property.
- Natural gas restrictions. WBPA joined the coalition challenging the State Building Code Council's natural gas restrictions.
Support the fund
Every dollar in the Legal Defense Fund goes to litigation that protects property owners statewide.
Give to the Legal Defense Fund
Contributions or gifts to the Washington Business Properties Association are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
Our cases
Members can log in to each case for filings, WBPA's role, and updates.
- MHCW v. State of Washington (rent cap challenge) Trial court ruled for the State in 2026; appeal in progress.
- Gonzales v. Governor Jay Inslee Washington Supreme Court upheld the eviction moratorium 5-4 in 2023; U.S. Supreme Court declined review in 2024.
- Jevons, et al. v. Inslee, et al. Federal courts upheld the moratorium; U.S. Supreme Court declined review in 2023.
- El Papel v. City of Seattle, et al. Ninth Circuit upheld Seattle's eviction restrictions; closed.
- IHIF Commercial v. City of Issaquah Court of Appeals reversed for the developer after five years of litigation; new development agreement reached.
- WBPA v. State of Washington Eviction Resolution Pilot Program challenge dismissed as moot after the statute expired; review denied.
- WBPA v. City of Kenmore Settled in 2024; Kenmore repealed parts of its 2022 ordinance.
In the news
KXLY: Washington landlords suing the state over eviction moratorium