Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12 § 59.12.200
Appellate review -- Stay bond.
Operative Text
A party aggrieved by the judgment may seek appellate review of the judgment as in other civil actions: PROVIDED, That if the defendant appealing desires a stay of proceedings pending review, the defendant shall execute and file a bond, with two or more sufficient sureties to be approved by the judge, conditioned to abide the order of the court, and to pay all rents and other damages justly accruing to the plaintiff during the pendency of the proceeding.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.200, either party in an unlawful detainer (eviction) case who is unhappy with the trial court's judgment has the right to seek appellate review, just as in other civil matters. However, if the defendant wants to pause the eviction proceedings while the appeal is pending, the law requires that defendant to post a bond backed by at least two approved sureties. That bond must be conditioned on complying with the court's ultimate order and covering any rent and damages that accrue to the plaintiff during the appeal period.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.200, a landlord who prevails at the trial level should be aware that a defendant-tenant may appeal and seek a stay of the eviction. Compliant operators typically monitor whether a proper stay bond—approved by the judge and backed by sufficient sureties—has actually been filed before assuming proceedings are paused. If a valid bond is in place, landlords generally document all rent and other damages accruing during the appellate period, since those amounts are covered by the bond's conditions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.12.200 gives a defendant-tenant the right to appeal an adverse judgment in an eviction case. To obtain a stay that halts the eviction while the appeal proceeds, a tenant must file a bond with at least two court-approved sureties, covering ongoing rent and any other damages during that period. Tenants who receive an unfavorable judgment may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the bond requirements and the general appellate process available under this provision.
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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