Nonprofit organization property used in providing emergency or transitional housing to low-income homeless persons or victims of domestic violence — Recovery residences.
RCW 84.36.043
in effect*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6027-S2.SL ) ***
(1) The real and personal property used by a nonprofit organization in providing emergency or transitional housing for low-income homeless persons as defined in RCW 35.21.685 or 36.32.415 or victims of domestic violence who are homeless for personal safety reasons is exempt from taxation if: (a) The charge, if any, for the housing does not exceed the actual cost of operating and maintaining the housing; and (b)(i) The property is owned by the nonprofit organization; or (ii) The property is rented or leased by the nonprofit organization and the benefit of the exemption inures to the nonprofit organization. (2) The real and personal property used by a nonprofit organization in maintaining an approved recovery residence registered under RCW 41.05.760 is exempt from taxation if: (a) The charge for the housing does not exceed the actual cost of operating and maintaining the housing; and (b)(i) The property is owned by the nonprofit organization; or (ii) The property is rented or leased by the nonprofit organization and the benefit of the exemption inures to the nonprofit organization. (3) As used in this section: (a) "Homeless" means persons, including families, who, on one particular day or night, do not have decent and safe shelter nor sufficient funds to purchase or rent a place to stay. (b) "Emergency housing" means a project that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families for up to sixty days. (c) "Transitional housing" means a project that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families for up to two years and that has as its purpose facilitating the movement of homeless persons and families into independent living. (d) "Recovery residence" has the same meaning as under RCW 41.05.760 . (4) The exemption in subsection (2) of this section applies to taxes levied for collection in calendar years 2024 through 2033. (5) This exemption is subject to the administrative provisions contained in RCW 84.36.800 through 84.36.865 .
(1) The real and personal property used by a nonprofit organization in providing emergency or transitional housing for low-income homeless persons as defined in RCW 35.21.685 or 36.32.415 or victims of domestic violence who are homeless for personal safety reasons is exempt from taxation if:
(a) The charge, if any, for the housing does not exceed the actual cost of operating and maintaining the housing; and
(b)(i) The property is owned by the nonprofit organization; or
(ii) The property is rented or leased by the nonprofit organization and the benefit of the exemption inures to the nonprofit organization.
(2) The real and personal property used by a nonprofit organization in maintaining an approved recovery residence registered under RCW 41.05.760 is exempt from taxation if:
(a) The charge for the housing does not exceed the actual cost of operating and maintaining the housing; and
(b)(i) The property is owned by the nonprofit organization; or
(ii) The property is rented or leased by the nonprofit organization and the benefit of the exemption inures to the nonprofit organization.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Homeless" means persons, including families, who, on one particular day or night, do not have decent and safe shelter nor sufficient funds to purchase or rent a place to stay.
(b) "Emergency housing" means a project that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families for up to sixty days.
(c) "Transitional housing" means a project that provides housing and supportive services to homeless persons or families for up to two years and that has as its purpose facilitating the movement of homeless persons and families into independent living.
(d) "Recovery residence" has the same meaning as under RCW 41.05.760 .
(4) The exemption in subsection (2) of this section applies to taxes levied for collection in calendar years 2024 through 2033.
(5) This exemption is subject to the administrative provisions contained in RCW 84.36.800 through 84.36.865 .
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=84.36&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026