Wyoming landlord guide — Riverton & Lander, Wind River Indian Reservation (Eastern Shoshone & Northern Arapaho), Wind River Range, NOLS, Sage West Health Care, Central Wyoming College & Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1211
🏛️ County Seat: Lander 🏙️ Largest City: Riverton 👥 Population: ~39,500
Fremont County is Wyoming’s most geographically and culturally complex county — a vast territory roughly the size of Vermont that encompasses everything from high desert at Boysen State Park to glaciers on Gannett Peak (at 13,804 feet, the highest point in Wyoming and the three central Rocky Mountain states). The county’s two principal cities — Riverton (~11,000, the largest city and commercial hub) and Lander (~7,500, the county seat) — anchor a regional economy that is more diverse than most Wyoming counties, drawing on healthcare, education, energy extraction, ranching, outdoor recreation, and federal and state government employment. The Wind River Indian Reservation, home of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, occupies a substantial portion of western Fremont County and represents a significant population and cultural presence that shapes the county’s demographics and economy in ways that are not found elsewhere in Wyoming.
The county’s economy has a history of boom-bust cycles tied to extractive industries — gold, coal, uranium, oil, and gas have all driven periods of growth and contraction since the 1880s. Today the mix is more stable: Sage West Health Care (Riverton’s regional hospital) and Lander’s SageWest facility anchor healthcare employment; the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), headquartered in Lander, provides institutional employment and draws an international outdoor education community; Central Wyoming College serves the Riverton area; and federal and state agencies — the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, Wyoming Life Resource Center — employ a significant share of the Lander-area workforce. Oil and gas production in the Wind River Basin continues to contribute, though at lower levels than peak years.
All residential landlord-tenant matters in Fremont County are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (Forcible Entry and Detainer / FED) are filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court in Lander. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming. No just-cause eviction requirement applies.
Sage West Health Care (Riverton & Lander hospitals), Fremont County School Districts, Central Wyoming College, NOLS (Lander HQ), federal agencies (BLM, USFS, FWS), Wind River Indian Reservation tribal government & BIA, oil & gas sector, ranching
Wind River Reservation
Eastern Shoshone & Northern Arapaho — large tribal presence, jurisdictional complexity for properties near reservation
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
5/10 — diversified economy provides stability but modest incomes; lower rents reflect market; unique Wind River Reservation jurisdictional considerations
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance (Wyoming)
Nonpayment Notice
3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Lease Violation (curable)
3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit
Illegal Activity / Non-curable
3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit
Month-to-Month Termination
30-Day Written Notice (1 full rental period)
Court Action
Forcible Entry & Detainer (FED) — District Court
Court
Ninth Judicial District Court, Fremont County
Courthouse Address
450 N. 2nd St, Room 235, Lander, WY 82520
Court Phone
(307) 332-1134
Mailing Address
PO Box 370, Lander, WY 82520
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Fremont County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
City and county rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing or rental registration requirement. Neither Riverton nor Lander requires a blanket rental registration for standard long-term residential rentals. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Short-term rental operators must comply with applicable zoning regulations and Wyoming lodging tax. Lander has a growing short-term rental market driven by outdoor recreation visitors (rock climbing at Wild Iris, Wind River Range backpacking, NOLS courses), particularly in summer. Riverton short-term rental activity is more modest.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Fremont County rents are among the more affordable in Wyoming, reflecting the county’s lower average incomes relative to energy-dominant counties. Month-to-month rent increases require one full rental period’s written notice.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap in Wyoming. Must disclose in writing if any portion is nonrefundable. Return within 30 days of termination/eviction OR 15 days after receiving tenant’s forwarding address (whichever later). Extended by 30 days if damages. No interest required. Utility deposits: return within 10 days of proof utilities paid. Standard practice is 1–1.5 months’ rent deposit in this market.
Wind River Indian Reservation — Jurisdictional Considerations
The Wind River Indian Reservation is one of the largest Indian reservations in the United States, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes. A significant portion of western Fremont County sits within or adjacent to the reservation boundary. For landlords with properties on or near the Wind River Indian Reservation, jurisdictional complexity is an important consideration. Properties located within the exterior boundaries of the reservation on tribal trust land are subject to tribal law and BIA jurisdiction rather than Wyoming state law — Wyoming state court eviction procedures (FED) generally do not apply to trust land. For fee simple land within the reservation boundary (land owned outright rather than held in trust by the federal government), Wyoming state law typically applies. If you own property in or near the Wind River Indian Reservation, consult a Wyoming attorney familiar with tribal jurisdiction before renting and before initiating any eviction action. The Riverton area (which a federal court confirmed is not on the reservation) is subject to standard Wyoming state landlord-tenant law.
Healthcare & Federal Employment
Sage West Health Care operates the two regional hospitals in Fremont County (Riverton and Lander campuses), providing the most stable, high-income professional employment available in the county. Healthcare workers at both campuses are counter-cyclical to energy markets and represent the most reliable tenant segment in the county. Federal agency employees — BLM, USFS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wyoming Life Resource Center staff, FBI field office personnel — are similarly stable and well-employed. Federal employees have civil service protections, defined benefit retirement, and government healthcare. For landlords, federal government and healthcare workers are the most desirable Fremont County tenants from a stability standpoint.
NOLS & Outdoor Education Community
The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), headquartered in Lander since 1965, is one of the world’s most respected wilderness education organizations. NOLS employs instructors, administrative staff, and support workers in Lander and provides a steady influx of course participants from around the world. NOLS instructors are a distinct tenant profile: typically 25–40 years old, highly educated, low-to-moderate income (instructor compensation is modest), deeply committed to the Lander outdoor community, and often long-term Lander residents. They represent reliable, low-maintenance tenants for lower-to-mid-price-range Lander rentals. The NOLS community is part of what gives Lander its reputation as one of Wyoming’s most vibrant small-city communities relative to its size.
Late Fees
No statutory cap. Must be specified in the lease. No mandatory grace period. Fremont County’s more modest income levels make clear lease terms and early communication about payment difficulties particularly important. Oil and gas workers in the Wind River Basin face the same boom-bust risk profile as in other Wyoming energy counties.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Ninth Judicial District Court (450 N. 2nd St, Room 235, Lander). There is also a Circuit Court in Riverton (1160 Major Ave, Suite 100, Riverton, WY 82501; phone (307) 856-7259) that handles evictions when the amount in controversy is under $50,000. After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files the FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office may enforce the eviction. No self-help eviction, lockout, or utility shutoff permitted. Domestic violence is an affirmative defense to eviction.
Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 (Forcible Entry & Detainer) and 1-21-1201–1211 (Residential Rental Property) — notice requirements and landlord rights applicable in Fremont County
⚡ Quick Overview
3
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
3 (all violations)
Days Notice (Violation)
14-30
Avg Total Days
$$70
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Notice Period3 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay all rent within 3-day notice period to stop eviction
Days to Hearing3-10 (summons sets return day for hearing; typically within days of filing) days
Days to Writ0-30 days after judgment (court determines; Writ of Restitution issued) days
Total Estimated Timeline14-30 days
Total Estimated Cost$150-350
⚠️ Watch Out
3-day notice for nonpayment. No statutory grace period. Very landlord-friendly state with fast process. Notice must be in writing and left with tenant in person or at usual place of abode. After 3 days, landlord files FED complaint with circuit court ($70 filing fee). Summons sets return day (hearing date). If landlord wins: court issues Writ of Restitution giving tenant 0-30 days to vacate (court discretion - better chance of more time if tenant attends trial). If tenant doesn't attend = likely immediate writ. After writ: only sheriff can physically remove. Landlord can remove property and leave it outside after sheriff executes writ. No statutory cap on security deposits. Lease must state if any deposit portion is nonrefundable. Safe Homes Act: DV victims can break lease with 30 days notice + protection order.
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the Circuit Court - Forcible Entry and Detainer (WS § 1-21-1001 to 1-21-1016). Pay the filing fee (~$$70).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Wyoming eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Wyoming attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Wyoming landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Wyoming —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Wyoming's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
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⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Riverton (commercial hub, Sage West Health Care, Central Wyoming College) + Lander (county seat, NOLS HQ, world-class outdoor rec, Wind River Range) + Wind River Indian Reservation. Diverse economy. Affordable rents. FED in 9th District Court (Lander) — Circuit Court in Riverton for smaller amounts. Sheriff enforces. No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. MT time.
Fremont County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: Sage West Health Care clinical/admin staff, federal agency employees (BLM, USFS, BIA, FWS — civil service stability), NOLS instructors & staff (community-embedded, reliable), school district employees, CWC faculty/staff. For oil/gas workers: verify operator vs. contractor, tenure, base wage. Properties near Wind River Indian Reservation: consult Wyoming attorney re: jurisdiction before renting. Income at 3x rent. Run Wyoming court records.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Fremont County, Wyoming
Fremont County is Wyoming’s most heterogeneous county — geographically, economically, and culturally. Its territory spans more than 9,300 square miles and encompasses desert basins, mountain ranges, glaciers, an Oregon Trail corridor, a major Indian reservation, and some of the most celebrated wilderness in North America. Its two principal cities have distinct identities: Riverton is the commercial and healthcare hub, anchored by Sage West Health Care and Central Wyoming College, with a working-class character shaped by energy extraction and agriculture; Lander is the outdoor recreation capital, anchored by the National Outdoor Leadership School and a community of climbers, backpackers, guides, and conservation professionals drawn by the Wind River Range. Understanding which city you are operating in — and which tenant segment you are targeting — is the essential first step for Fremont County landlords.
The Wind River Indian Reservation: A Critical Jurisdictional Consideration
The Wind River Indian Reservation, home of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, is one of the largest Indian reservations in the United States and occupies a substantial portion of western Fremont County. For landlords, this creates a jurisdictional consideration that is absent in almost every other Wyoming county. Property located on tribal trust land within the reservation boundary is generally subject to tribal law and federal jurisdiction rather than Wyoming state law — Wyoming state eviction procedures (FED proceedings in Wyoming District Court) typically do not apply to trust land. For fee simple land within the reservation boundary or in the surrounding area (including Riverton, which courts have confirmed is not on the reservation), Wyoming state law applies normally. If you own or are considering acquiring rental property in or near the Wind River Indian Reservation, it is strongly advisable to consult a Wyoming attorney familiar with tribal jurisdiction before executing any lease and before initiating any eviction action. Proceeding with the wrong jurisdictional approach can result in significant delays and complications.
Lander: The Outdoor Education Economy
Lander’s status as a global outdoor education destination is anchored by the National Outdoor Leadership School, which has operated from its Lander headquarters since 1965 and is considered the world’s leading wilderness education organization. NOLS employs a community of instructors, administrative professionals, and support staff who are deeply embedded in the Lander community — many for decades at a time. The NOLS community, along with the climbing, guiding, and conservation professional community that has grown up around the Wind River Range access that Lander provides, gives the city a character that is genuinely unusual for a Wyoming city of 7,500: vibrant, culturally engaged, and economically diverse beyond its size. Federal agency employees — the BLM Lander Field Office, Shoshone National Forest’s Washakie Ranger District, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service all have significant Lander presences — are the most stable employer category for landlord purposes. Their civil service employment, federal benefits, and multi-year location assignments make them reliable long-term tenants.
The Energy Legacy and Future
Fremont County has a deep extractive history: oil was first discovered in the Lander area in 1884, uranium was found in the Gas Hills east of Riverton in the 1950s and drove a boom comparable to a gold rush, and natural gas production in the Wind River Basin remains active today. None of these industries currently drives the county’s economy at peak levels — uranium mining is dormant at most local sites, oil is at modest production, and gas production has moderated. The legacy of these cycles is a community that has learned to weather boom-bust rhythms, which shows up as a pragmatic, resilient culture among long-term residents. For landlords, energy workers in Fremont County should be screened with the same boom-bust awareness applied in other Wyoming energy markets: verify employer, job type, tenure, and base versus overtime income carefully.
Fremont County landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 (Forcible Entry & Detainer) and 1-21-1201–1211 (Residential Rental Property). Nonpayment: 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Lease violation (curable): 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit. Illegal activity / non-curable: 3-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Month-to-month termination: 30-Day Written Notice. Security deposit: no statutory cap; must disclose if any portion nonrefundable; return within 30 days of termination/eviction or 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. Late fees: no statutory cap; must be in lease. No landlord entry notice requirement by statute (specify 24 hours in lease). No rent control. No just-cause eviction. No self-help eviction; no lockout; no utility shutoff. Sheriff-only enforcement. Domestic violence is affirmative defense to eviction. No WY state income tax. Properties on Wind River Indian Reservation trust land may be subject to tribal rather than state jurisdiction — consult a Wyoming attorney. Court: Ninth Judicial District Court, 450 N. 2nd St Room 235, Lander, WY 82520 (PO Box 370); phone (307) 332-1134. Also: Riverton Circuit Court, 1160 Major Ave Suite 100, Riverton, WY 82501; (307) 856-7259 (for matters under $50K). Hours Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MT. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Fremont County, Wyoming and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently and tribal jurisdiction questions require specialized legal advice. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Wyoming attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
