Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20 § 59.20.155
Seizure of illegal drugs -- Notification of landlord.
Operative Text
Any law enforcement agency which seizes a legend drug pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.41 RCW, a controlled substance pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.50 RCW, or an imitation controlled substance pursuant to a violation of chapter 69.52 RCW, shall make a reasonable attempt to discover the identity of the landlord and shall notify the landlord in writing, at the last address listed in the property tax records and at any other address known to the law enforcement agency, of the seizure and the location of the seizure of the illegal drugs or substances.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.155, when a law enforcement agency seizes certain illegal drugs or controlled substances from a location, it is required to make a reasonable effort to identify the property's landlord and then notify that landlord in writing about the seizure and where on the property it occurred. The written notice is sent to the address on file in property tax records and to any other address the agency has on hand. This rule creates an affirmative duty for law enforcement — not for the landlord — to communicate about drug-related seizures on rental property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.155, landlords whose rental properties are the site of a drug seizure are entitled to receive written notification from the law enforcement agency involved. Operators who keep their contact information current in county property tax records are better positioned to receive this notice promptly, since that is the primary address law enforcement is directed to use. Receiving such a notice can be relevant to a landlord's awareness of conditions on the property and may inform decisions about lease compliance and property management going forward.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 59.20.155 governs the relationship between law enforcement and landlords following a drug seizure — it does not directly create or remove tenant rights, but tenants should be aware that their landlord will be notified in writing when a seizure occurs at the rental property. Understanding that this notification is required by law can be useful context if a landlord later takes action related to the lease. Tenants who have questions about how such a notification might affect their tenancy may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Washington's Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act.
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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