LOCAL RULES: RCW 59.18.150

Washington notice of entry requirements

Your Washington notice of entry has 2 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • Two days' written notice, entry at reasonable times
  • The date, the time window and a phone number for objections
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Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act sets one of the longer notice periods: two days' written notice before a landlord enters, one day to show the unit to buyers or tenants. The notice must give the date and either an exact time or the earliest and latest times, and a phone number for the tenant to object or reschedule. Here is each rule with a link to RCW 59.18.150.

Last reviewed October 26, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Notice of entryWASHINGTON / FREE CALCULATOR

Notice period and entry times

WhatWhenRule
Notice givenNovember 2, 2026 (attached to the door)RCW 59.18.150 (6)
Earliest lawful entry without the tenant's consentNovember 4, 2026RCW 59.18.150 (6)
Planned entryNovember 4, 2026: after the notice periodRCW 59.18.150 (6)
Hours of entryAt reasonable timesRCW 59.18.150 (6)
What the notice must sayIn writing: the exact date and time, or the dates with the earliest and latest possible times, and a telephone number for objections or rescheduling (one day's notice is enough to show the unit to buyers or tenants)RCW 59.18.150 (6)

Emergencies, an abandoned unit and the tenant's consent at the time of entry follow their own rules (listed on this page). A lease may give the tenant more notice; check it.

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What Washington requires

  • The Residential Landlord-Tenant Act does not govern living arrangements it exempts, such as institutions where residence is incidental to care, detention or education, and occupancy under an earnest money agreement or contract to buy the unitRCW 59.18.040
  • The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractorsRCW 59.18.150 (1)
  • Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, the landlord gives at least two days' written notice of the intent to enter and enters only at reasonable timesRCW 59.18.150 (6)
  • The notice states the exact time and date or dates of entry, or a period on those dates with the earliest and latest possible times, and a telephone number the tenant may call to object or ask to rescheduleRCW 59.18.150 (6)
  • One day's notice is enough to show the unit at a specified time to prospective or actual purchasers or tenants, and the landlord may not excessively exhibit the unitRCW 59.18.150 (6)
  • Without consent the landlord may enter only in an emergency or after abandonment; otherwise there is no other right of access except by court order, arbitrator or the tenant's consentRCW 59.18.150 (5), (7)
  • After one written notice of a violation, a landlord or tenant who keeps violating these rights is liable for up to 100 dollars for each later violation, plus costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing partyRCW 59.18.150 (8)

Two days in writing

Outside emergencies and impracticable situations, the landlord gives at least two days' written notice and enters only at reasonable times. Showings to prospective buyers or tenants need one day's notice, but excessive showings that interfere with the tenant's enjoyment are not allowed.

What the notice must say

State the exact date and time, or the dates with a window from the earliest to the latest possible time of entry, and give a telephone number for objections or rescheduling. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, services or showings.

Limits and penalties

Without consent, entry is limited to emergencies and abandonment; otherwise only a court order, an arbitrator or the tenant's consent gives access. A landlord who keeps violating these rules after one written warning can owe up to 100 dollars per violation, plus costs and attorneys' fees.

Common mistakes

  • Giving 24 hours' notice: Washington requires two days.
  • Leaving out the phone number for objections.
  • Writing "sometime that day" instead of the earliest and latest times.
  • Showing the unit so often that it interferes with the tenant's use.

Sources

Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.