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Homestead Exemption Laws in Washington

Washington protects a homestead up to the greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the prior year, regardless of land area.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Washington at a glance

Exemption amount
$125,000 or county median, if higher
Courts use the prior year's county median single-family sale price when it exceeds $125,000.
Unlimited in value
No
No dollar limit applies only to judgments for another state's income tax on Washington residents' retirement benefits.
Acreage limit
No acreage limit
The homestead may consist of land regardless of area.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Washington

How much home equity does the homestead exemption protect in Washington?

Exemption amount in Washington: $125,000 or county median, if higher. Courts use the prior year's county median single-family sale price when it exceeds $125,000.

Is the homestead exemption unlimited in value in Washington?

No. Unlimited in value in Washington: no. No dollar limit applies only to judgments for another state's income tax on Washington residents' retirement benefits.

Is there an acreage limit on the homestead exemption in Washington?

Acreage limit in Washington: No acreage limit. The homestead may consist of land regardless of area.

Where do the Washington homestead exemption laws come from?

The rules above come from Wash. Rev. Code 6.13.010 and Wash. Rev. Code 6.13.030. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The county median price rule was added in 2021 (2021 c 290).

What this means in practice

The exemption applies to equity, not to the full value of the home. Equity is the market value minus the mortgages and other liens on the property. A lender that holds a mortgage on the home, and certain other claims such as taxes on the property, can usually still be enforced against it regardless of the exemption.

Check whether you need to take a step to claim the protection. Some states protect a home automatically once it is your residence, while others require you to record a homestead declaration with the county or to claim the exemption in court when a creditor tries to collect.

In bankruptcy, federal law can limit a state homestead exemption for a home bought within a set period before the filing, and residency rules decide which state's exemptions apply if you moved recently. Some states also let filers choose the federal bankruptcy exemptions instead of the state list. A bankruptcy attorney can confirm which rules apply to your situation.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.