All Laws Decoded

Eviction in Shawnee County, Kansas

Where eviction cases are filed in Shawnee County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Shawnee County

Eviction court
Shawnee County District Court (Third Judicial District) - Limited Actions — Kansas District Court (limited actions - forcible detainer) Court page
Notice before filing (state law)
3 days' written notice to pay or the lease terminates (three consecutive 24-hour periods from delivery or posting; add 2 days if mailed). Before filing, a 3-day notice to leave the premises is also required; it may be combined with the RLTA notice. Kansas rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,057/month HUD
Renter households
25,065 (33% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Shawnee County

Eviction cases in Shawnee County are heard by the Shawnee County District Court (Third Judicial District) - Limited Actions (Kansas District Court (limited actions - forcible detainer)).

Court eviction page · Self-help center

Tuesday morning court dockets formerly held at Agricultural Hall have moved permanently to Heritage Hall on the Stormont Vail Event Center campus; use the Heritage Hall address on legal filings. Limited actions are civil cases up to $25,000 (any amount for unsecured debt); contested forcible detainer cases are set for court trial. The Limited Actions docket runs roughly 800 cases per week.

How eviction cases work locally

Hearing locationTuesday morning dockets are held at Heritage Hall / Stormont Vail Event Center, 17th Street and Exoduster Drive, Topeka.
Source: Official source
Contested casesIf a forcible detainer case is contested, it is set for court trial.
Source: Official source

The Kansas eviction process

Kansas state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Shawnee County:

  1. Serve the RLTA notice (3-day nonpayment, 14/30-day lease violation, or 30-day month-to-month) and a 3-day notice to leave the premises (may be combined)
  2. File an eviction petition describing the premises and grounds
  3. Summons sets an appearance date 3 to 14 days after issuance; tenant must appear or file a written answer by that date
  4. For RLTA tenancies, the court must consider mediation (continuance of up to 14 days while mediating), effective July 1, 2026
  5. Trial, if needed, within 14 days after the appearance date; judgment
  6. Writ of restitution issued at landlord's request and executed within 14 days by the sheriff or authorized process server

Full Kansas eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Shawnee County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Topeka, KS MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$792
1 bedroom$820
2 bedrooms$1,057
3 bedrooms$1,392
4 bedrooms$1,411

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Shawnee County: $1,000/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in Shawnee County

Free legal help

Tenant and eviction lawyers in Shawnee County

Other Kansas counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Shawnee County?
Eviction cases in Shawnee County are filed with the Shawnee County District Court (Third Judicial District) - Limited Actions.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Shawnee County?
Kansas Legal Services - Topeka Office.
What is the fair market rent in Shawnee County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,057 per month (1-bedroom: $820).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.