Wash. Rev. Code § 49.60 § 49.60.350
Temporary or preliminary relief -- Superior court jurisdiction -- Petition of commission.
Operative Text
(1) The superior courts of the state of Washington shall have jurisdiction upon petition of the commission, through the attorney general, to seek appropriate temporary or preliminary relief to enjoin any unfair practice in violation of RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225 , from which prompt judicial action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (2) The commencement of a civil action under this section does not preclude the initiation or continuation of administrative proceedings under this chapter.
Washington Revised Code § 49.60.350 authorizes the state's superior courts to grant temporary or preliminary injunctive relief when the Washington State Human Rights Commission believes an unfair housing practice—covered under RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225—requires prompt judicial intervention. The Commission acts through the Attorney General to bring such a petition. Importantly, filing a court action under this provision does not stop or prevent a parallel administrative process from proceeding at the same time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 49.60.350, a property owner or manager facing a housing discrimination complaint may find themselves subject to both a court-issued temporary injunction and an ongoing administrative proceeding simultaneously, since the law expressly allows both tracks to run concurrently. Operators who maintain documented, consistently applied non-discriminatory policies and practices are generally better positioned when the Human Rights Commission seeks emergency judicial relief. Familiarity with the substantive fair housing standards in RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225 is a practical starting point for understanding what conduct this provision is designed to address.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 49.60.350 provides an important enforcement tool that may benefit tenants who have experienced housing discrimination covered by RCW 49.60.222 through 49.60.225: the Washington State Human Rights Commission can ask a superior court for fast-acting, temporary relief before a full hearing concludes. Tenants who believe they have experienced an unfair housing practice may file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission, which can then evaluate whether emergency judicial action is warranted. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office can help individuals understand how the administrative and court processes under this provision interact.
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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