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Eviction timeline in Washington

Washington Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 30–60 days  ·  Contested: 60–150 days  ·  Under RCW § 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)

The Washington eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

Washington Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

30–60 days Uncontested
60–150 days Contested
$83 Court filing fee
$1,000–$3,500 Attorney fees (est.)
#31 of 51 Fastest nationally
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 30–60 days RCW § 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)
Contested eviction (after filing) 60–150 days RCW § 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 14 days RCW 59.18.057
Pre-filing notice: Material breach (curable) 10 days RCW 59.12.030(4)
Pre-filing notice: Waste, nuisance, or unlawful activity 3 days RCW 59.12.030(5)
Pre-filing notice: No-cause, tenancy under 6 months 20 days RCW 59.18.200
Pre-filing notice: Just-cause no-fault (owner move-in, substantial rehab) 90 days RCW 59.18.650
Court filing fee $83 RCW § 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)

Step-by-step Washington eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. Same day
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    Confirm just-cause coverage

    Day 1

    Tenancy of 6+ months requires a just-cause ground under RCW 59.18.650. Under 6 months, 20-day no-cause notice still works.

  2. 3–20d
    2
    Stage 2 · Serve

    Serve the statutory notice

    Day 1

    14-day pay-or-vacate (most common), 10-day comply-or-vacate, 3-day for waste/nuisance, 20-day no-cause for under-6-month tenancies, 90-day no-fault. Must use the statutory form.

  3. 1–3d
    3
    Stage 3 · File

    File the unlawful-detainer complaint

    Day 21

    Superior Court for the county. Filing fee $240 to $320. No district or magistrate court route in Washington.

  4. 7–14d
    4
    Stage 4 · Court

    Service of summons; 7-day answer

    Day 24

    Personal service preferred. Tenant has 7 days to answer (14 if served by alternative method). Default judgment if no answer.

  5. 7–14d
    5
    Stage 5 · Court

    Show-cause hearing

    Day 38

    Hearing on the papers within 7 to 14 days of answer. Court determines whether to issue a writ of restitution or set a trial date.

  6. 3–5d
    6
    Stage 6 · Lockout

    Writ of restitution and lockout

    Day 52

    Sheriff serves the writ with 3 to 5 days for the tenant to vacate. After that window, the sheriff executes the lockout.

  7. Day 57
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 57
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The Washington timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in Washington and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for Washington

← Washington Eviction Risk OverviewEviction Costs: WashingtonEviction Process: WashingtonRent Control Guide: WashingtonTenant Screening: WashingtonTenant Protections: WashingtonTenant Rights: WashingtonNotice Templates: Washington

Eviction Timeline in Other States

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Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Washington attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.