Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.369
Unlawful detainer action -- Housing court commissioner duties.
Operative Text
(1) By majority vote, the judges of the superior court of the county may authorize housing court commissioners appointed pursuant to RCW 59.18.368 to perform any and all of the following duties in an unlawful detainer action under this chapter: (a) Receive all applications, petitions, and proceedings filed in the superior court related to unlawful detainer actions for residential tenancies covered by this chapter; (b) Order investigation and reporting of facts upon which to base warrants, subpoenas, orders, or directions in actions or proceedings related to unlawful detainer actions for residential tenancies covered by this chapter; (c) For the purpose of this chapter, exercise all powers and perform all the duties of a court commissioner appointed pursuant to RCW 2.24.010 (1); (d) Hold hearings in proceedings related to unlawful detainer cases for residential tenancies covered by this chapter and make written reports of all such proceedings, which shall become a part of the record of the superior court; (e) Provide such supervision in connection with the exercise of its jurisdiction as may be ordered by the presiding judge; and (f) Cause the orders and findings to be entered in the same manner as orders and findings are entered in cases in the superior court. (2) All acts and proceedings of a housing court commissioner are subject to revision by the superior court as provided in RCW 2.24.050 .
Washington law under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.369 allows the judges of a county superior court, by majority vote, to authorize specially appointed housing court commissioners to handle unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings for residential tenancies. These commissioners can receive filings, conduct hearings, issue orders, and enter findings with the same authority as a general court commissioner, while keeping a written record that becomes part of the superior court's official record. Importantly, any action taken by a housing court commissioner remains subject to review and revision by the superior court itself, providing an additional layer of judicial oversight.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.369, unlawful detainer cases in counties that have authorized housing court commissioners may be heard and decided by those commissioners rather than a judge. Compliant operators generally ensure that all filings, petitions, and related documents are submitted to the correct court intake point, since commissioners are empowered to receive and process those materials. Operators should also be aware that a commissioner's ruling can be revised by the superior court, meaning the process may involve additional review steps before a matter is fully resolved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.369 means that if you are a tenant facing an unlawful detainer action in a county that uses housing court commissioners, your case may be heard by a commissioner rather than a judge. Commissioners have broad authority to hold hearings and issue orders, but their decisions are not necessarily final — the superior court retains the power to review and revise those decisions under RCW 2.24.050. Tenants who believe a commissioner's ruling was incorrect may wish to explore that revision process, and tenant-rights organizations in Washington can help explain what options generally exist.
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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