NAR continues to be a leading voice in shaping housing policy at the federal level. Last week, NAR representatives took part in a bipartisan congressional panel focused on housing affordability. They emphasized the critical role REALTORS® play in expanding access to homeownership and ensuring that policy decisions reflect the real needs of our communities. Among…

2026 TPCAR Board Of Directors Nominees The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is proud to announce its candidates for the 2026 TPCAR Board of Directors. TPCAR’s Board of Directors is responsible for guiding TPCAR in alignment within the association bylaws, setting policy, and ensuring the organization’s mission is carried out effectively. Make your voice heard!…

On Sept. 2, 2025, the Pierce County Council approved Ordinance No. O2025-522s—adopting a new “Cultural Resources Protection” — a package billed as both a housing-permit streamlining measure and a cultural and historic sites safeguard for tribal artifacts. The ordinance raises SEPA categorical exemption thresholds while creating a front-loaded cultural review so applicants get earlier certainty.…

2025 is a local election year, meaning city council and mayoral races are a large focus for TPCAR’s advocacy team. This year’s primary is being held on Tuesday, August 5th, and there are several key races which are likely to be competitive, and which will have a significant impact on housing in our region.  Candidates…

The Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® is proud to endorse John Hines for Mayor of Tacoma. Councilmember Hines has demonstrated a consistent and thoughtful commitment to expanding housing opportunities across Tacoma. From his early support and leadership on the Home in Tacoma initiative, to his strong advocacy for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), John has championed policies that…

On May 7, 2025, Washington became the third U.S. state to enact statewide rent control – joining California and Oregon – with the passage of House Bill 1217. The law caps annual rent increases on most residential properties and includes special provisions for manufactured housing, among other regulations.  Proponents argue the measure offers needed tenant protections amid…

Tacoma-Pierce County Association of REALTORS® members now have a new housing incentive to watch—Senate Bill 5529, recently signed into law, officially expands a key property tax exemption for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to include Pierce County. This law encourages homeowners to build and rent detached ADUs to low-income households by offering a property tax exemption on the value…

As Washington state lawmakers weigh new revenue sources to balance the state budget, proposed changes to the state’s property tax cap are raising alarms among housing advocates—including the Washington REALTORS®, who recently commissioned an analysis to better understand the potential impacts on homeowners. The proposals under consideration would remove the long-standing 1% cap on annual…

On Thursday, April 10th, the State Senate passed an amended version of HB 1217 which would implement rent control in Washington State. Due to changes made from the House version which was approved in March, the bill must move back to the House of Representatives for a vote of concurrence to be enacted into law.…

One of the most hotly debated issues this legislative session has involved ESHB 1217 which would enact rent control regulations across Washington State. This bill passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday, March 10th by a vote of 53 – 42. While the bill did move out of the House, several amendments were made…