Eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater), Washington
Where eviction cases are filed in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
- Eviction court
- Thurston County Superior Court - Unlawful Detainer calendar — Superior court (unlawful detainer) Court page
- Filing fee
- $135 residential unlawful detainer initial filing (statewide); additional $112 if the case proceeds other than by default RCW 36.18.020(2)(a), (5)(c), (6); RCW 36.18.012 (statewide superior court fees)
- 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)
- $1,960/month HUD
- Renter households
- 38,412 (32% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
Eviction cases in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater) are heard by the Thurston County Superior Court - Unlawful Detainer calendar (Superior court (unlawful detainer)).
Court eviction page · Search court records
The unlawful detainer calendar is held Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at the Main Campus. Unlawful detainer ex parte motions (for example a motion for order to show cause) are decided on the papers on Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. with no appearance, capped at 25 per calendar, and must be scheduled at least two court days ahead. Urgent ex parte requests, such as a motion to stay a writ of restitution, may be presented by phone at (360) 968-0921 between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m., Monday-Friday.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
$135 residential unlawful detainer initial filing (statewide); additional $112 if the case proceeds other than by default
Fees are set statewide by RCW 36.18.020 and 36.18.012; a fee waiver may be requested on a showing of indigency. Confirm the current amount with the County Clerk before filing.
Source: RCW 36.18.020(2)(a), (5)(c), (6); RCW 36.18.012 (statewide superior court fees)
How eviction cases work locally
| Ex parte unlawful detainer motions | Wednesday 9:00 a.m. paper calendar (no appearance); proposed orders filed in Odyssey; schedule at least two court days before. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Right to counsel orders | The court posts a Certificate of Tenant Right to Counsel Availability and an Administrative Order Regarding Right to Counsel in Unlawful Detainer Cases. Source: Official source |
The Washington eviction process
Washington state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater):
- 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 Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,538 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,682 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,960 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,613 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,288 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater): $1,736/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; city rules (if any) are covered on city pages.
Eviction help in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)
Free legal help
- 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. Thurston County Superior Court has certified that appointed counsel is available and has entered an administrative order on right to counsel in unlawful detainer cases; the contracted local provider was not confirmed on a loaded page. Source
Rental assistance
- Homeless Prevention Rent Assistance (HPRA) - Thurston County — Limited eviction-prevention rent assistance through Family Support Center of South Sound (families/DV survivors; referral from Northwest Justice Project or South Sound Legal Aid only), Community Youth Services (ages 18-24), Catholic Community Services (adults 24+ without children) and CIELO (Latino/Hispanic households). Funding is limited and programs may be closed.
Other Washington counties
- Eviction in King County (Seattle)
- Eviction in Pierce County (Tacoma)
- Eviction in Snohomish County (Everett)
- Eviction in Spokane County (Spokane)
- Eviction in Clark County (Vancouver)
- 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 Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)?
What is the fair market rent in Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater)?
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.