Evictions

Evictions - Landlord-tenant matters

Amended Standing Order - Eviction Resolution Pilot Program (ERRP) - effective 12/10/2021 through 06/30/2023 unless modified by the Court.

All eviction matters for Cowlitz County are heard initially at 9:00 AM ON Friday Mornings. Due to COVID, all cases will be heard via the ZOOM video conferencing platform. Log in information is available on our Zoom Calendar Page located HERE. Find the friday you case is scheduled for, click on the eviction docket link and your court session log in information will pop up. The calendar does not always work with Internet Explorer and may take a few moments to load. If you cannot log into the session, please call court administration at 360-577-3085 and report your problem so we can alert the judge and address the issue.

If you do not have a computer or phone to connect to the court hearing, we have a Zoom Booth available in the second floor lobby which is available for participants to use to connect at no cost. We also have free WIFI in our buildings and most of our parking lots where you can access via a smart phone if you do not have sufficient airtime minutes.

tenant resources

Pre-Court Assistance

If you receive any notices related to your housing, you should contact one of the local agencies who provide assistance to tenants in eviction matters.

Additional Legal Resources can be found at:

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Eviction Resolution Program (ERPP)

Cowlitz County has implemented an Eviction Resolution Program for cases of Non-Payment or Rent. It is anticipated when the Governor's eviction moratorium (and related Federal moratoriums) expire, there is likely to be a large influx of eviction cases. In order to address this expected increase, we have partnered with the Center for Constructive Resolution and Conversation (CCRC)which has established a local office to manage this caseload.

The goals of the Court are:

• To manage expected large caseloads effectively and efficiently;

• To allow for Landlords and Tenants to access state funding for eviction-specific mediation;

• To help to mitigate homelessness in Cowlitz County as a result of evictions.

The COWLITZ pre-court ERPP process can be found HERE

MORE INFORMATION ON THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM AND RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND HERE

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Right to Counsel

The legislature passed SB 5160 which mandated a right to an attorney (right to cousel) in ALL eviction matters involving an indigent tenant. Indigent for this purpose is defined as:

Any person who, at any stage of a court proceeding, is: (a) Receiving one of the following types of public assistance:

• Temporary assistance for needy families, aged, blind, or disabled;

• assistance benefits, medical care services under RCW 74.09.035;

• pregnant women assistance benefits, poverty-related veterans';

• benefits, food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred;

• electronically, refugee resettlement benefits, medicaid, or supplemental security income; or;

•  Receiving an annual income, after taxes, of 200 percent or 13 less of the current federally established poverty level. 

As of August 24, 2021, Cowlitz County does not have a  certified resource to appoint an attorney from. In the interim, for cases NOT involving non-payment of rent, persons appearing on our eviction dockets will have an inquiry if they wish to have an attorney, and will be conferenced in with a volunteer if available.

Our designated RTC provider once certified will be:

Statewide Intake by Northwest Justice Project​

• Call 1-855-657-8387, the Eviction Defense Screening Line. Interpreters available.
• Apply for legal help through CLEAR*Online

If you are eligible, a lawyer may give you legal advice, help you negotiate with your landlord, or possibly refer you to a legal aid program.

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PLEASE REFER BACK TO THIS PAGE AS IT WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY