Nonprofit, Residential, and Small Business Eviction Moratoriums Extended Through August 1, 2020
SEATTLE (June 18, 2020) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued an Executive Order to extend the City of Seattle’s COVID-19 closure and relief policies. This Executive Order follows King County’s application to be in Phase Two of the Governor’s Safe Start Washington plan. Phase Two allows some businesses and activities to resume under strict public health guidance, but continues to ban almost all gatherings and makes clear that residents and businesses should follow public health measures like social distancing, face coverings, and good hygiene.
“Right now, our city and country are facing the crises of a nationwide civil rights movement to reckon with police violence and systemic racism, a global COVID-19 pandemic, and job losses and economic devastation not seen since the Great Depression. In Seattle, even as communities protest, heal, and work to find a path forward together, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and job losses cannot be ignored,” said Mayor Durkan. “At the City, we’re extending our relief policies to make sure our communities have the support they need during this truly unprecedented moment in history for our City.”
The Mayor’s Executive Order extends the City’s moratoriums on nonprofit, residential, and small business evictions through August 1, 2020. The extension follows Proclamation 20-19.2 by the Governor, which extends the statewide moratorium on residential evictions and statewide commercial tenant protections through August 1, 2020. While the moratorium is in place in Seattle, property owners may not issue notices of termination or otherwise initiate an eviction action with the courts unless there is an imminent threat to the health and safety of the community. Tenants who receive any eviction notice during the moratorium should contact the Renting in Seattle hotline at 206‐684‐5700 or go online to submit a complaint.
The City has also extended its rent relief policies for City tenants through July 31, 2020. For nonprofit organizations and renters with artist studio licenses, the relief is in the form of rent forgiveness. Businesses’ rent will be deferred.
The Mayor’s Executive Order extends the City’s COVID-19 relief programs, including:
- Temporary parking and/or loading zones for restaurants, health care and human services workers, and retail stores are extended until further notice;
- Flexible payment plans and shutoff policies with Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities are extended until further notice;
- The City’s small business, arts and nonprofit, food access, and housing and homelessness COVID-19 relief programs are extended until further notice; and
- The Utility Discount Program Self-Certification Pilot Program is extended until July 31, 2020.
Per the Mayor’s Executive Order, the following COVID-19 policy suspensions are extended:
- The ban on permitted events, with the exception of farmers markets, is extended until June 30, 2020;
- Enforcement of paid parking requirements on City streets; select hourly parking time limits outside of no-parking or special zones; and the 72-hour rule is suspended until further notice; and
- Booting vehicles with unpaid parking tickets is suspended until further notice.
The following City facility closures are extended by the Mayor’s Executive Order:
- All Seattle Public Library (SPL) locations are closed through June 30, 2020, however, restroom access and several SPL locations will remain open and the City is evaluating curbside library services;
- Seattle Public Utilities’ (SPU) Cedar River Watershed Education Center and Rattlesnake Ledge Trail will remain closed through June 30, 2020;
- In-person access to all City departments’ public-facing customer service counters will remain closed through June 30, 2020, with digital and telephonic access still available. The Seattle Animal Shelter in March launched a new appointment-based adoption system that enables animals to still find forever homes even while the shelter’s counters are closed; and
- Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities, such as community centers, pools, environmental learning centers, and select parking lots serving the City’s largest parks are closed until further notice.
SPR is working to reopen facilities and activities as it relates to Phase Two guidance for indoor and outdoor activities, outdoor youth team sports, and outdoor adult recreational team sports.
The City will continue to work with Public Health – Seattle & King County and the farmers markets organizers to help farmers markets open in a way that meets public health requirements. Currently, Ballard, Columbia City, Madrona, Queen Anne, U District, and West Seattle farmers markets are open.
The City has also created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.