Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20 § 59.20.902
Construction -- Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships -- 2009 c 521.
Operative Text
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
Washington's Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act (Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.902) establishes that wherever Chapter 59.20 uses terms like 'spouse,' 'marriage,' 'husband,' 'wife,' or 'family,' those terms apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships and the individuals in them. References to divorce or dissolution of marriage similarly extend to the termination, dissolution, or invalidation of a state registered domestic partnership. This interpretive rule applies to the extent it does not conflict with federal law, and gender-specific terms throughout the chapter are to be read in a gender-neutral way.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.902, property owners and managers operating in the manufactured/mobile home tenancy space should recognize that any rights, obligations, or protections in Chapter 59.20 that reference marital status or spousal relationships extend equally to tenants in state registered domestic partnerships. Compliant operators generally apply the same policies and procedures to domestic partners as they would to married couples when administering tenancy rights, succession, or family-related provisions. Reviewing lease terms and community rules to ensure they do not inadvertently treat domestic partners differently from married tenants is consistent with this provision's intent.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.902 means that tenants in state registered domestic partnerships have the same standing under Washington's Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act as married tenants, including any protections or rights tied to spousal or family status. If a landlord applies a policy or interprets a lease provision in a way that treats a domestic partnership differently from a marriage under Chapter 59.20, a tenant may have grounds to raise that inconsistency as a concern or potential violation. Tenants who believe their domestic partnership status is being disregarded can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or consulting with a housing attorney familiar with Washington's domestic partnership laws.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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