Washington Eviction Process
Court: Superior Court (for unlawful detainer); District Court (some counties)
(uncontested)
(contested)
Notice Types
14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Excludes Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Must state exact amount owed broken out by month.
10-Day Notice to Comply or Vacate
For curable violations. Must specify the violation and required remedy.
20-Day Notice to Vacate
Month-to-month only. Just cause required statewide (RCW 59.18.650) after 20 days or more of tenancy.
3-Day Notice to Vacate
For waste, nuisance, illegal activity, or unlawful business.
Step-by-Step Process
Serve written notice
Personal delivery to tenant or adult at premises, or post + mail. Keep proof. Weekends/holidays excluded from 14-day count.
Wait for notice period +14 days
14 days (nonpayment, excludes weekends/holidays). 10 days (violations). 20 days (no-fault).
File unlawful detainer complaint +1 days
File at Superior Court. Attach lease, notice, proof of service. Pay filing fee.
Clerk issues summons +2 days
Court issues summons. Process server or sheriff serves tenant.
Tenant response period +7 days
Tenant has 7 days to respond after service of summons.
Show cause hearing or default +7 days
If no response: request default judgment. If response filed: show cause hearing scheduled.
Show cause / trial hearing +14 days
Judge determines if unlawful detainer exists. Full trial possible if disputed facts.
Writ of restitution issued +1 days
Writ issued after judgment. Sheriff or process server executes.
Sheriff enforces writ +7 days
Sheriff posts notice and executes writ. Sheriff fee varies by county.
Key Warnings
- Just cause required statewide for all evictions after 20+ days of tenancy (RCW 59.18.650, eff. 2021).
- Enumerated just causes include nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in (with restrictions), and demolition.
- No-cause evictions of month-to-month tenants prohibited statewide.
- 14-day notice excludes weekends and legal holidays — this is frequently litigated.
- Seattle has additional tenant protections including mandatory relocation assistance in some cases.
Court & Filing Details
| Court | Superior Court (for unlawful detainer); District Court (some counties) |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $240–$310 depending on county |
| Statute | Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act RCW §§59.18.010 et seq.; RCW 59.12 (Unlawful Detainer) |
| Find the Court | Superior Court in the county where property is located |
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