Quick answer: In the District the legal path from a notice to an eviction is the notice period, a filing, a summons served at least 14 days before the initial hearing, a default or judgment, a writ of restitution two days later and a 3-day Marshal’s notice. The Marshal then sets the actual date.
This DC eviction timeline calculator applies D.C. Code 16-1502 and the Landlord and Tenant Rules. Choose the reason, enter the notice date, and the judgment date if you have one: it shows the earliest legal dates for each step. It shows legal minimums only, never how long a case usually takes.
DC eviction timeline rules at a glance
| Rule | What the District of Columbia says |
|---|---|
| Notice first | 10 days for unpaid rent of at least $600; 30 days for a violation (D.C. Code 42-3505.01) |
| Summons | Served at least 14 days before the initial hearing (16-1502(a)) |
| Default | If the tenant does not appear, the court enters a default judgment |
| Rent into court | A party may ask for a protective order requiring monthly rent in the court registry (16-1502a) |
| Writ of restitution | May issue 2 days after a default or judgment; valid 75 days; issue within 90 days (L&T Rules 14, 16) |
| Marshal | A 3-day notice to the tenant goes out with the writ; the U.S. Marshals Service carries it out |
| Redemption | In nonpayment cases a tenant may pay the stated amount to avoid eviction (Rule 14-II) |
| Holidays | Weekends and District holidays are skipped (28-2701) |
How does the DC eviction timeline work?
- The steps. See how long an eviction takes in DC.
- In court. See the DC Landlord and Tenant Branch process.
- After the judgment. See the DC writ of restitution.
What does this eviction timeline calculator check?
It starts with the notice date and the earliest filing day, which the DC eviction notice calculator explains. It assumes the summons is served on the filing day, adds 14 days to find the earliest initial hearing, treats a default or judgment that day, adds two days for the writ and three for the Marshal’s notice, skipping weekends and District holidays. If you enter a judgment date it uses that. It does not predict whether the tenant appears, redeems the tenancy or gets a stay, or when the Marshal can act, and it does not apply local scheduling.
Related District of Columbia landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the District of Columbia security deposit return deadline calculator for the date the landlord must refund or itemize the deposit, the District of Columbia security deposit limit calculator for the most a landlord may ask for as a deposit and the District of Columbia eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end. Each one cites its own District of Columbia statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an eviction take in DC?
The rules fix only minimums: the notice period, a summons served at least 14 days before the initial hearing, two days before a writ and a 3-day Marshal’s notice. A contested case takes longer.
How long before the hearing must the tenant be served?
At least 14 days.
What if the tenant does not appear?
The court may enter a default judgment and a writ of restitution may follow two days later.
Who carries out an eviction in DC?
The U.S. Marshals Service, under a writ of restitution.
How long is a writ valid?
75 days.
Can a tenant avoid eviction by paying?
In a nonpayment case a tenant may be able to pay the amount stated in a notice to redeem the tenancy; ask the court clerk.