Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.368
Unlawful detainer action -- Residential tenancies.
Operative Text
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, in each county the superior court may appoint the following persons to assist the superior court in disposing of its business related to unlawful detainer actions for residential tenancies covered by this chapter and chapter 59.20 RCW: (a) One or more attorneys to act as housing court commissioners; and (b) Such investigators, stenographers, and clerks as the court finds necessary to carry on the work of the housing court commissioners. (2) The position of a housing court commissioner may not be created without prior consent of the county legislative authority. (3) The appointments provided for in this section are made by a majority vote of the judges of the superior court of the county and may be in addition to all other appointments of commissioners and other judicial attaches otherwise authorized by law. (4) The appointments may be full-time or part-time positions. A person appointed as a housing court commissioner may also be appointed to any other commissioner position authorized by law. (5) Housing court commissioners and investigators serve at the pleasure of the judges appointing them and receive such compensation as the county legislative authority shall determine. (6) A person appointed as a housing court commissioner shall comply with the fairness and impartiality standards established in RCW 3.34.110 . (7)(a) A person appointed as a housing court commissioner will receive training as soon as reasonably practicable but no sooner than July 26, 2025, from the administrative office of the courts on the following topics: (i) The residential landlord-tenant act, this chapter; (ii) The manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act, chapter 59.20 RCW; (iii) Show cause hearing processes in the context of evictions and unlawful detainer actions; and (iv) Unlawful detainer procedures, chapter 59.16 RCW. (b) The administrative office of the courts may coordinate with the office of civil legal aid to develop and deliver the training described in (a) of this subsection.
Washington Revised Code § 59.18.368 establishes a framework allowing superior courts in each county to appoint housing court commissioners—attorneys who help the court handle residential eviction and unlawful detainer cases covered under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act. These commissioners, along with supporting staff such as investigators and clerks, can only be created with the prior approval of the county legislative authority. Appointed commissioners must meet impartiality standards and are required to complete training on landlord-tenant law, eviction procedures, and show cause hearings, with that training available no sooner than July 26, 2025.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.368, residential unlawful detainer proceedings in counties that have established housing court commissioners may be heard by those commissioners rather than directly by a superior court judge. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the local court structure in their county, since the presence and authority of a housing court commissioner can affect how eviction hearings are scheduled and conducted. Knowing whether a county has appointed commissioners—and that those commissioners must meet the fairness standards referenced in RCW 3.34.110—helps property managers set realistic expectations for the timeline and process of any unlawful detainer action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.368 means that in some Washington counties, a housing court commissioner—rather than a judge—may preside over an eviction or unlawful detainer hearing involving a residential tenancy. These commissioners are required to be impartial and to receive training on the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and eviction procedures, which are protections built into the system for all parties. Tenants facing an unlawful detainer action may want to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand who will be presiding over their hearing and what procedural rights apply in their county.
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.
Effective Timeline
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