Eviction in King County (Seattle), Washington
Where eviction cases are filed in King County (Seattle), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in King County (Seattle)
- Eviction court
- King County Superior Court - Ex Parte and Probate Department (Unlawful Detainers); residential UDs heard by a Housing Commissioner — Superior court (unlawful detainer) Court page
- Filing fee
- $135 residential unlawful detainer filing; +$112 when an answer is filed or order to show cause/other than default; $247 counterclaim/cross-claim; $290 non-residential King County Superior Court Clerk fee schedule (RCW 36.18.020(2),(5),(6); RCW 36.18.012(4))
- 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)
- $2,501/month HUD
- Renter households
- 419,249 (45% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in King County (Seattle)
Eviction cases in King County (Seattle) are heard by the King County Superior Court - Ex Parte and Probate Department (Unlawful Detainers); residential UDs heard by a Housing Commissioner (Superior court (unlawful detainer)).
- King County Courthouse (Seattle) — 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 · website
- Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent) — 401 Fourth Avenue North, Kent, WA 98032 · website
Court eviction page · Search court records · Self-help center
Landlord reserves a first show-cause hearing through the Ex Parte online portal and gets an Order to Show Cause from the Clerk; tenant must be served 7-30 days before the hearing. Hearings are held by Zoom; each defendant is advised of the conditional right to counsel and the case is continued about 4 weeks to the 1:00 pm second-appearance docket (interpreter cases 11:00 am), where the court decides the writ of restitution and any money judgment. Housing Commissioner contact: housingcourt@kingcounty.gov.
How much it costs to file an eviction in King County (Seattle)
$135 residential unlawful detainer filing; +$112 when an answer is filed or order to show cause/other than default; $247 counterclaim/cross-claim; $290 non-residential
Clerk's page links a separate Fee Waivers page for those who qualify.
Source: King County Superior Court Clerk fee schedule (RCW 36.18.020(2),(5),(6); RCW 36.18.012(4))
How eviction cases work locally
| Two-step show cause hearings | First appearance by Zoom with right-to-counsel advisement, then a second appearance docket (1:00-4:30 pm) about 4 weeks later where the writ of restitution and money judgment are decided. The bailiff can open a breakout room for negotiation. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| In-court tenant help | Housing Justice Project staff assist tenants at the Seattle courthouse (Room W-314) and Kent (Room 1281), including devices to attend Zoom hearings. Source: Official source |
The Washington eviction process
Washington state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including King County (Seattle):
- 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)
Full Washington eviction rules with sources →
Rent in King County (Seattle)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Seattle-Bellevue, WA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $2,074 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $2,146 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,501 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,272 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,847 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in King County (Seattle): $2,092/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
King County tenant protections (Ordinance 19311, 2021; King County Code ch. 12.25)
Applies: Unincorporated King County only (not cities such as Seattle, Bellevue, Kent)
- Just cause for eviction: Landlord needs a listed cause to terminate or not renew; written notice required before filing. Nonpayment of rent: 30-day notice; owner/family move-in or sale of single-family home: 90 days; substantial rehab, demolition or condo conversion: 120 days.
- Rent increase notice: 120 days' notice for increases over 3%; 30 days for income-based rent. No increase while unit has uninhabitable/defective conditions.
- Move-in fees and deposits: Move-in fees plus security deposit capped at one month's rent (except income-based rent); payable in installments (6 monthly for leases of 6+ months, 2 for shorter/month-to-month).
- Late fees: Late fees/costs for nonpayment capped at 1.5% of monthly rent.
Eviction help in King County (Seattle)
Free legal help
- King County Bar Association - Housing Justice Project (HJP) — Free legal help for renters facing eviction in King County; OCLA's appointed-counsel provider for King County. Walk-in at King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave, Room W314.
- Eviction Defense Screening Line (statewide, Northwest Justice Project) — 1-855-657-8387 or apply online. Screens tenants for appointed counsel under RCW 59.18.640; tenants qualify if income is under 200% of the federal poverty level or they receive public assistance (TANF, SSI, food assistance, Apple Health, etc.).
Right to counsel: Statewide right to appointed counsel for indigent tenants in unlawful detainer cases (RCW 59.18.640), administered and funded by the Washington Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) through contracted legal aid providers. The court must advise unrepresented tenants of the right. King County appointed-counsel provider: King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project (per OCLA oversight report listing). Source
City rules in King County (Seattle)
Other Washington counties
- Eviction in Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Eviction in Snohomish County (Everett)
- Eviction in Spokane County (Spokane)
- Eviction in Clark County (Vancouver)
- Eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
- Eviction in Whatcom County (Bellingham)
- Eviction in Yakima County (Yakima)
- Eviction in Kitsap County (Bremerton, Port Orchard)
Related
- Washington landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Washington
- Washington eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Washington (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in King County (Seattle)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in King County (Seattle)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in King County (Seattle)?
What is the fair market rent in King County (Seattle)?
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.