Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.370
Forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer actions -- Writ of restitution -- Application -- Order -- Hearing.
Operative Text
The plaintiff, at the time of commencing an action of forcible entry or detainer or unlawful detainer, or at any time afterwards, upon filing the complaint, may apply to the superior court in which the action is pending for an order directing the defendant to appear and show cause, if any he or she has, why a writ of restitution should not issue restoring to the plaintiff possession of the property in the complaint described, and the judge shall by order fix a time and place for a hearing of the motion, which shall not be less than seven nor more than thirty days from the date of service of the order upon defendant. A copy of the order, together with a copy of the summons and complaint if not previously served upon the defendant, shall be served upon the defendant. The order shall notify the defendant that if he or she fails to appear and show cause at the time and place specified by the order the court may order the sheriff to restore possession of the property to the plaintiff and may grant such other relief as may be prayed for in the complaint and provided by this chapter.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.370, when a landlord files a forcible entry, detainer, or unlawful detainer action, the court can issue an order requiring the occupant to appear and explain why a writ of restitution—a court order directing the sheriff to return possession of the property to the landlord—should not be granted. The hearing must be scheduled no fewer than seven and no more than thirty days after the order is served on the occupant. If the occupant does not appear at the scheduled hearing, the court may direct the sheriff to restore possession to the landlord and grant other relief requested in the complaint.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.370, a landlord initiating a forcible entry, detainer, or unlawful detainer action may apply to the superior court for an order to show cause why a writ of restitution should not issue. Compliant operators ensure that the order, along with the summons and complaint if not yet served, is properly delivered to the occupant within the timeframes the statute specifies. Maintaining accurate records of service and court filings is a practice commonly associated with orderly management of these proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.370 gives occupants the right to appear at a court hearing and present reasons why a writ of restitution—which would authorize the sheriff to remove them from the property—should not be issued. The order served on a tenant must provide at least seven days' notice before the hearing, giving time to prepare a response. Tenants who receive such an order may wish to contact a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available, including what arguments or defenses may be raised at the show-cause hearing.
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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