Wash. Rev. Code § 59.16 § 59.16.010
Unlawful detainer defined.
Operative Text
That any person who shall, without the permission of the owner and without having any color of title thereto, enter upon the lands of another, and shall refuse to remove therefrom after three days' notice, shall be deemed guilty of unlawful detainer and may be removed from such lands.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.16.010 et seq., a person who enters another's land without the owner's permission and without any legal claim to it, and then refuses to leave after receiving three days' notice, is considered to be committing unlawful detainer. This classification gives the landowner a legal basis to seek the person's removal through the courts. The provision establishes both the definition of the offense and the procedural trigger — the three-day notice — that must occur before removal can be pursued.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.16.010 et seq., property owners who discover an unauthorized occupant on their land generally begin the process by serving a proper three-day notice to vacate, which is the threshold requirement before pursuing a court-ordered removal. Compliant operators document the lack of permission and the absence of any colorable legal claim by the occupant, and retain records of how and when notice was delivered. Because unlawful detainer proceedings are court-supervised, operators typically ensure their notice and filing procedures conform to Washington's procedural requirements before initiating action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.16.010 et seq. defines the circumstances under which a person can be classified as an unlawful detainer — specifically, entry without permission and without any legal claim, combined with a refusal to leave after a three-day notice. If you believe you have a legitimate legal basis for occupying the property, such as a colorable claim of title or permission from the owner, that may be relevant to whether the statute applies to your situation. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services in Washington can help individuals understand whether a three-day notice and any subsequent court filing were issued and conducted properly.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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