All Laws Decoded

Eviction in Benton County, Washington

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

Quick facts: eviction in Benton County

Eviction court
Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court (Benton County) — Washington Superior Court (unlawful detainer) Court page
Notice before filing (state law)
14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. Washington rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,538/month HUD
Renter households
25,267 (32% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Benton County

Eviction cases in Benton County are heard by the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court (Benton County) (Washington Superior Court (unlawful detainer)).

Court eviction page

Benton County unlawful detainer cases are called Fridays at 1:30 p.m. (Franklin County: Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.); the court tries to finish them before other civil matters under $10,000. Benton County ex parte docket: Monday-Friday, 1:30-1:45 p.m. Remote WebEx access only by emailing sccourtmanagement@co.benton.wa.us. The Clerk's Office does not accept personal checks.

How eviction cases work locally

Writ of restitution stay by payment planThe court offers a form for tenants who want to stay enforcement of a writ of restitution by entering a payment plan.
Source: Official source
Eviction Resolution Pilot ProgramThe court notes the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program expired July 1, 2023.
Source: Official source
Local resources linked by the courtThe court's unlawful detainer page links a Benton County Housing Resource Center flyer, Renter's Resources (Benton County), Northwest Justice Project eviction defense flyers, Benton Franklin Legal Aid tenant/eviction information, and the Dispute Resolution Center of Tri-Cities.
Source: Official source

The Washington eviction process

Washington state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Benton County:

  1. Serve the required notice (14-day pay-or-vacate in statutory form, 10-day comply-or-vacate, or other just-cause notice under RCW 59.18.650)
  2. Serve the eviction summons (statutory form, RCW 59.18.365) and complaint; tenant must respond in writing by the deadline in the summons
  3. Court issues an order to show cause; show cause hearing held not less than 7 nor more than 30 days after service of the order (RCW 59.18.370)
  4. Judgment for possession / writ of restitution; in nonpayment cases execution is delayed five court days and the tenant may be reinstated by paying the judgment amount (RCW 59.18.410)
  5. Sheriff serves and executes the writ of restitution; tenant may request storage of property within three days after service of the writ (RCW 59.18.312)

Full Washington eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Benton County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Kennewick-Richland, WA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,122
1 bedroom$1,268
2 bedrooms$1,538
3 bedrooms$2,071
4 bedrooms$2,385

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Benton County: $1,306/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 Benton County

Right to counsel: Right to counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer cases has been provisionally operational in Benton and Franklin Counties since January 3, 2022; the court has a Standing Order re Appointment of Counsel in Unlawful Detainer Proceedings. Source

Other Washington counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Benton County?
Eviction cases in Benton County are filed with the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court (Benton County).
What is the fair market rent in Benton County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,538 per month (1-bedroom: $1,268).

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.