Wash. Admin. Code § 162-36 § 162-36-020
Content and language of solicitation.
Operative Text
Residential segregation on the basis of race, creed, national origin or other ethnic classification is rooted in the history of this country and fixed in the patterns of thought of many people. The content and language of a solicitation of names of prospective purchasers directed to neighbors of a house listed for sale, must be examined in this context in assessing whether the solicitation constitutes an unfair practice within the meaning of RCW 49.60.222 and WAC 162-36-010 . A solicitation which indicates that the recipient of the solicitation can control the type of persons who will move into the neighborhood by referring appropriate prospective buyers, is likely to be understood as an invitation to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity, marital status, families with children status, the presence of a sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person. Phrases such as "uphold the standards of the community" (when the "standards" are unspecified) are likely to be understood the same way. Accordingly, it is an unfair practice under RCW 49.60.222 and WAC 162-36-010 for the content or language of a neighborhood solicitation to: (1) Suggest in any way that the solicitor, buyer or seller has the power to control the type or character of the person or persons to whom the property involved may be sold; (2) Invite or provoke discriminatory feelings, actions, or responses from the person or persons being solicited; (3) Make reference to an assumed standard of the community which the solicitor, buyer or seller must or will uphold, unless the particular community standard is identified specifically, and the standard does not have the effect of excluding persons of a particular race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or gender identity, marital status, families with children status, the presence of a sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person.
Wash. Admin. Code § 162-36-020 addresses how real estate solicitations directed at neighbors of a home for sale must be worded. The rule recognizes that language suggesting neighbors can influence who moves in, or that invokes vague "community standards," is likely to be read as an invitation to discriminate based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability status, and other protected characteristics. Under this provision, such solicitations constitute an unfair practice under Washington's Law Against Discrimination, regardless of whether discriminatory intent is explicit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Real estate professionals and property owners operating under Wash. Admin. Code § 162-36-020 generally ensure that any neighborhood solicitation for prospective buyers is free of language that implies neighbors can shape who purchases nearby property. Compliant operators avoid phrases that invoke unspecified "community standards" or that could reasonably be interpreted as encouraging referrals based on a buyer's protected characteristics. Reviewing solicitation materials for neutral, factual language—and specifically identifying any community standard referenced—is a practice consistent with this rule.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Admin. Code § 162-36-020 protects prospective buyers and community members from solicitations that encourage discrimination in real estate transactions. If a person receives a neighborhood solicitation that appears to invite discriminatory referrals or invokes vague community standards tied to protected characteristics, that solicitation may constitute an unfair practice under Washington law. Affected individuals can explore filing a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission or consult a tenant- or fair-housing-rights organization to understand available options.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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