January 9, 2026 5:42 PM

01/09/2026 Sunnyside Settles Lawsuit with State of WA Over Crime Free Rental Housing Program

CITY OF SUNNYSIDE PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunnyside Settles Lawsuit with State of Washington Over Crime-Free Rental Housing Program (CFRHP)

Date: January 9, 2026
Contact: George A. Mix, attorney for the City (206) 569-8629 george@mixsanders.com

SUNNYSIDE, Yakima County, 9 January 2026 – The Sunnyside City Council has approved a Consent
Decree that resolves a lawsuit filed by the State of Washington against the city of Sunnyside and its former employees. As part of the Consent Decree, the city’s risk pool will pay the State of Washington $1.1M.

A jury trial in Yakima County Superior Court was scheduled to start on January 12th. Settling the case brings resolution and certainty to a legal battle that began in February of 2020. The CFRHP, which was intended to address crime issues and proactively improve the safety of neighborhood rental properties, was formally repealed by the city in July of 2025. While the city was confident in its arguments at trial, the Council determined resolution was in the city’s best interest and looks forward to moving forward in 2026.