Washington Eviction Laws
Washington rules on eviction for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057
The rules in Washington
| Notice for unpaid rent | 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. The form (RCW 59.18.057) must itemize rent and recurring charges and include rental assistance, right-to-counsel, mediation and interpreter information. The 3-day period in RCW 59.12.030(3) applies only to non-chapter 59.18 tenancies. Source: RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057 |
|---|---|
| Notice for lease violations | 10-day notice to comply or vacate. Waste, nuisance or unlawful activity: 3-day notice to vacate (RCW 59.18.650(2)(c)). |
| Lockouts & utility shutoffs | Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. Lockout section: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.290 Source: RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300 |
How an eviction case works in Washington
Eviction cases are heard in: Superior court of the county where the property is located (unlawful detainer).
- 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)
- Serve the eviction summons (statutory form, RCW 59.18.365) and complaint; tenant must respond in writing by the deadline in the summons
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
Landlords: how to evict a tenant in Washington — steps, costs, timeline and forms.
Eviction court and fees by county
- King County (Seattle)
- Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Snohomish County (Everett)
- Spokane County (Spokane)
- Clark County (Vancouver)
- Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
- Whatcom County (Bellingham)
- Yakima County (Yakima)
- Kitsap County (Bremerton, Port Orchard)
- Benton County
- Skagit County
Free calculators
- Notice Deadline Calculator — Enter the date a notice was delivered and see the date it runs out under your state's law.
Templates
Related questions
- Can a landlord evict you without going to court, change the locks or shut off utilities?
- How long does an eviction take?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before an eviction?
Washington vs. neighboring states
| State | Notice for unpaid rent | Notice for lease violations | Lockouts & utility shutoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057 | 10-day notice to comply or vacate. RCW 59.12.030(4); RCW 59.18.650(2)(b) | Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300 |
| Idaho | 3 days' written notice demanding payment of the amount due or possession. The notice must state the amount due and the tenant's post-judgment removal period (72 hours for residential tenants). Notice may be served within one year after rent is due. Idaho Code § 6-303(2) | 3 days' written notice requiring performance or possession; tenant may cure within the 3 days. No cure notice is needed if the breached covenant cannot later be performed. Assigning/subletting or committing waste contrary to the lease terminates it (3-day notice to quit). Controlled-substance activity: 3-day notice with no right to cure. Idaho Code § 6-303(3)-(5) | Self-help eviction is unlawful: a landlord may not shut off utilities, change locks, confiscate the tenant's property, or do anything other than file a lawful eviction. A party who recovers damages for forcible or unlawful entry or detainer may be awarded up to three times actual damages. Idaho AG Manual 'Unlawful Evictions'; Idaho Code § 6-317 |
| Oregon | Week-to-week: at least 72 hours' written notice, served no sooner than the 5th day of the rental period. Other tenancies: either at least 10 days' notice served no sooner than the 8th day of the rental period, or at least 13 days' notice served no sooner than the 5th day. Notice must state the amount due and the deadline to pay. ORS 90.394 | At least 30 days' written notice. If the violation is curable, the notice must say so and give at least 14 days to cure. Repeat of substantially the same violation within 6 months: at least 10 days' notice, no cure right. Week-to-week: 7 days / 4-day cure / 4 days for repeats. ORS 90.392 | If the landlord unlawfully removes/excludes the tenant or willfully interrupts utilities or essential services, the tenant may obtain an injunction to regain possession, or terminate and recover the greater of 2 months' periodic rent or twice actual damages; deposits and prepaid rent must be returned. ORS 90.375 |
City rules that may add to state law
More Washington rental law
- Washington Security Deposit Law
- Washington Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Washington
- Washington Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Washington Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Washington
- Squatters' Rights in Washington
- Washington Rental Fee Rules
- Washington Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Washington Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Washington Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Washington Landlord Selling the House
- Washington Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Washington Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Washington landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Washington
Compare eviction in all 50 states and DC →
Washington Eviction Laws FAQ
How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Washington?
14-day notice to pay rent or vacate, in the statutory form. (RCW 59.12.030(3); RCW 59.18.057)
How much notice is required to evict for a lease violation in Washington?
10-day notice to comply or vacate. (RCW 59.12.030(4); RCW 59.18.650(2)(b))
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Washington?
Landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order; tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus actual damages, costs and attorney's fees. Intentionally terminating a tenant's utility services is unlawful: actual damages plus up to $100 for each day or part of a day without service, plus costs and fees. (RCW 59.18.290; RCW 59.18.300)
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.