Property encroachments, defined as an intrusion onto someone else’s real property, happen often. The fence you thought divided your property from your neighbor’s is actually a few feet off from the true property line. Maybe your gravel driveway has migrated over the years and now is partially in your neighbor’s front yard. And nothing quite…

Back in the 2021-2022 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 5096 (now codified at RCW 82.87), commonly known as the Washington State capital gains tax. This bill created a 7% tax on the sale or exchange of long-term capital assets such as stocks, bonds, business interests, or other investments and tangible assets. Challenges…

On March 13, 2023, the Bellingham City Council approved Ordinance No. 2023-03-007, which requires landlords to provide tenants of rental units in Bellingham a minimum of 120 days’ prior written notice ahead of ANY increase in rent or other periodic housing costs. The requirements of this new ordinance took effect on March 28, 2023, and…

As you may recall from my prior blog posts, the Washington State Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) recommended adjudication of the Nooksack River watershed (also called WRIA 1) in September 2020 and received funding for the adjudication in the 2021-2023 biannual budget. More information is available at Ecology’s WRIA 1 adjudication website. Pending further funding, the…

A significant amendment to Washington’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requiring most employers to include pay ranges, benefits, and other forms of compensation in job listings came into effect on January 1, 2023.[1] As we discussed here several months ago, these requirements represent a major change from the previous version of the law, which only…

Both Washington State and federal law protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination, including discrimination that may result from municipal zoning ordinances. Because the scope of the protections afforded under state and federal law differ, it is possible for a zoning action to comply with one while violating the other. As a result, it is important…

Whether you live in Skagit, Whatcom, or San Juan County, here in the Pacific Northwest chances are there are trees in your yard, your neighbor’s yard, or a family member’s yard, and there may be no fence separating one property from the next. There is also a good possibility there has not been a recent…

Pay Ranges and Benefits Information to be Required in Job Postings Starting January 1, 2023 A significant change coming to Washington pay transparency law next year has slipped under the radar for many employers. Starting January 1, 2023, employers with 15 or more employees will be required to post a wage scale or salary range…

Unfortunately, there are regular reports of drug use and manufacturing throughout our communities in Washington. If you are a property owner, questions could arise about what happens if you buy a property contaminated by past drug use or, if you are a landlord, what happens if your tenant contaminates your property. Thankfully, there is a…

It used to be that if you had physical stuff (also known as tangible personal property or “TPP” for short) you wished to pass on at death to someone in particular (for example, “I give grandma’s diamond ring to cousin Tansy” etc.) then that gift language needed to be written into your will. That’s easy…