Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 6.13.030 (2026)

Homestead exemption amount

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) The homestead exemption amount is the greater of:
(a) $125,000;
(b) The county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year; or
(c) Where the homestead is subject to execution, attachment, or seizure by or under any legal process whatever to satisfy a judgment in favor of any state for failure to pay that state's income tax on benefits received while a resident of the state of Washington from a pension or other retirement plan, no dollar limit.
(2) In determining the county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding year, a court shall use data from the Washington center for real estate research or, if the Washington center no longer provides the data, a successor entity designated by the office of financial management.
[ 2021 c 290 s 3; 2007 c 429 s 1; 1999 c 403 s 4; 1993 c 200 s 2; 1991 c 123 s 2; 1987 c 442 s 203; 1983 1st ex.s. c 45 s 4; 1981 c 329 s 10; 1977 ex.s. c 98 s 3; 1971 ex.s. c 12 s 1; 1955 c 29 s 1; 1945 c 196 s 3; 1895 c 64 s 24; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 552. Formerly RCW 6.12.050.]

Notes:

FindingsEffective date2021 c 290: See notes following RCW 6.13.010.
Purpose1991 c 123: "The legislature recognizes that retired persons generally are financially dependent on fixed pension or retirement benefits and passive income from investment property. Because of this dependency, retired persons are more vulnerable than others to inflation and depletion of their assets. It is the purpose of this act to increase the protection of income of retired persons residing in the state of Washington from collection of income taxes imposed by other states." [ 1991 c 123 s 1.]
Severability1981 c 329: See note following RCW 6.21.020.
Severability1971 ex.s. c 12: "If any provision of this 1971 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1971 ex.s. c 12 s 5.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 59 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: City of Seattle v. Long, 493 P.3d 94 (Wash. 2021).
City of Seattle v. Long, 493 P.3d 94 (Wash. 2021). · cites it 8× “execution or forced sale for the debts of the owner up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030.” Former RCW 6.13.070. Long argues his truck was under threat of a forced sale by public auction unless he agreed to the payment plan and was unlawfully attached under a possessory…”
Debra Wilson v. James Rigby, 909 F.3d 306 (9th Cir. 2018). · cites it 6× “” Wash. Rev. Code § 6.13.030 (emphasis added).”
Schermer v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 161 Wash. 2d 927 (Wash. 2007). “The exception is aimed at scofflaw parents who evade court-ordered child support obligations.”
In Re Dependency of Schermer, 169 P.3d 452 (Wash. 2007). “A court-ordered child support obligation is subject to specific statutory standards intended to reasonably relate a parent's child support obligation to the parent's income and ability to pay.”
Casterline v. Roberts, 284 P.3d 743 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). “See RCW 6.13.030. A “homestead” is “real or personal property that the owner uses as a residence.”
Fed. Intermediate Credit Bank of Spokane v. O/S SABLEFISH, 758 P.2d 494 (Wash. 1989). · cites it 2× “080, the homestead is exempt from attachment and from execution or forced sale for the debts of the owner up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030. The proceeds of the voluntary sale of the homestead in good faith for the purpose of acquiring a new homestead, and proceeds from…”
In Re Stone, 119 B.R. 222 (Bankr. E.D. Wash. 1990). · cites it 2× “Sharon utilized the exemption allowances provided for by state law, claiming a $30,000 homestead exemption pursuant to RCW 6.13.030. Promptly after filing her bankruptcy petition Sharon *225 moved to void Donald’s lien under § 522(f)(1).”
In re Good, 588 B.R. 573 (Bankr. W.D. Wash. 2018). · cites it 2× “080, the homestead is exempt from attachment and from execution or forced sale for the debts of the owner up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030. The proceeds of the voluntary sale of the homestead in good faith for the purpose *576 of acquiring a new homestead, and proceeds…”
Nw. Cascade, Inc. v. Unique Constr. Inc., 351 P.3d 172 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “) See RCW 6.13.030. RCW 6.13.040(1) states in part: [A] homestead .”
Bankr. L. Rep. P 75,890 in Re Joseph Kahan, Debtor. David Seror v. Joseph Kahan, 28 F.3d 79 (9th Cir. 1994). “See Wash.Rev. Code § 6.13.030 (1987) (limiting the amount of a homestead exemption to the lesser of $30,000.”
In re the Bankr. Petition of Wieber, 347 P.3d 41 (Wash. 2015). “020), creating the homestead exemption (RCW 6.13.030), and limiting its application (RCW 6.”
In re the Est. of Garwood, 109 Wash. App. 811 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “020 the basic award is limited under RCW 6.13.030(2) and either increased or decreased according to RCW 11.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 6.13.030(1) — 1 case
— Wash. Rev. Code § 6.13.030(2) — 7 cases
City of Seattle v. Long, 493 P.3d 94 (Wash. 2021). “execution or forced sale for the debts of the owner up to the amount specified in RCW 6.13.030.” Former RCW 6.13.070. Long argues his truck was under threat of a forced sale by public auction unless he agreed to the payment plan and was unlawfully attached under a possessory…”
In re the Est. of Garwood, 109 Wash. App. 811 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “020 the basic award is limited under RCW 6.13.030(2) and either increased or decreased according to RCW 11.”
In Re Est. of Garwood, 38 P.3d 362 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002).
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