Strategy in Action

Tool: Lease Protections

Seattle’s City Council Ordinance (126982) on commercial tenancies, enacted in January 2024, limits the amount of personal guarantees, letters of credit, and security deposits required for new commercial leases in the city. Landlords who violate this law are subject to penalties ranging from $500 to $1,000 per violation, and tenants can sue for damages. Because small business owners often do not have the same resources as larger businesses to pay upfront costs such as security deposits or personal guarantees, the law makes commercial leases more accessible to small business owners.