Johnson County sits in the Powder River country of north-central Wyoming, its county seat Buffalo nestled at the foot of the Bighorn Mountains where Clear Creek winds through one of the most celebrated small-town Main Streets in the American West. The county is named for notorious history — the Johnson County War of 1892, a violent confrontation between large cattle barons and small ranchers that became the defining event of Wyoming’s open-range era and was later fictionalized in Owen Wister’s novel The Virginian. The Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, where figures like Buffalo Bill Cody and Teddy Roosevelt once stayed, still stands on Main Street as a working hotel and living museum of the cattle era.
Today’s Johnson County is one of Wyoming’s more economically diversified rural counties, drawing on tourism (1.09 million visitors in 2024, an extraordinary number for a county of 8,447 people), outdoor recreation (Cloud Peak Wilderness, Bighorn National Forest, exceptional fly fishing on Clear Creek and the Middle Fork of the Powder River), healthcare (Johnson County Healthcare), and government/veterans services (the Veterans Home of Wyoming, a state-operated assisted living facility for veterans, is in Buffalo). The county’s I-25 position between Casper and Sheridan, and its location midway between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore on a popular tourist route, bring steady visitor traffic. The county also has the second-highest share of residents over 65 in Wyoming (27.8%), reflecting significant retiree in-migration and quality-of-life appeal.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (FED) are filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court in Buffalo. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming.
Kaycee (~250 — Hoofprints of the Past Museum, Powder River access)
County Population
~8,447 (growing via in-migration)
Age Profile
27.8% over 65 — 2nd highest share in Wyoming; strong retiree in-migration
Median HH Income
~$62,629 (Buffalo)
Tourism
1.09M visitors (2024); leisure & hospitality = 17.4% of county employment
Major Employers
Johnson County Healthcare, Veterans Home of Wyoming (state), Johnson County School District, county & state government, tourism/hospitality, ranching & agriculture
Median Home Value
$300,500 (2024, rising)
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
6/10 — growing in-migration, genuine tourism economy, quality-of-life appeal for retirees and remote workers; limited tenant pool but strong STR opportunity near Bighorn Mountains
⚖️ 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
Fourth Judicial District Court, Johnson County
Courthouse Address
620 W. Fetterman St, Suite 208, Buffalo, WY 82834
Court Phone
(307) 684-7271
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Johnson County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing. Buffalo does not require blanket rental registration for long-term residential rentals. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Wyoming lodging tax applies to short-term rentals. Buffalo’s tourism economy — 1.09 million visitors in 2024 — creates meaningful STR demand, particularly for properties near Main Street, the Bighorn Mountains, or with access to Clear Creek fishing. STR operators should verify current Town of Buffalo zoning requirements.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Buffalo rents have been rising modestly with in-migration and growing demand from retirees and remote workers. Month-to-month rent increases require one full rental period’s written notice.
Security Deposit
No statutory cap in Wyoming. Must disclose if any portion is nonrefundable. Return within 30 days of termination/eviction OR 15 days after receiving forwarding address (whichever later); extended 30 days if damages. No interest required. Utility deposit: return within 10 days. Standard 1–1.5 months’ rent in this market.
Veterans Home of Wyoming
The Veterans Home of Wyoming, a state-operated assisted living and skilled nursing facility for veterans and their dependents, is located in Buffalo and is one of the county’s most significant institutional employers. Its staff — nurses, aides, social workers, administrative personnel, facilities workers — hold state government positions with civil service protections and stable employment. For Buffalo landlords, Veterans Home employees represent a reliable, institutionally-anchored tenant segment that is not tied to commodity prices or tourism seasons.
Retiree & Remote Worker In-Migration
Wyoming’s economic analysis division has specifically identified Johnson County as one of the state’s primary destinations for quality-of-life in-migrants — people moving not for jobs but for lower cost of living, outdoor recreation, and small-town character. Buffalo’s historic Main Street, its fly fishing, its proximity to the Bighorn Mountains, and its manageable scale have made it particularly attractive to retirees from Colorado, California, and the Pacific Northwest. This migration is pushing home values upward (median $300,500 in 2024) and creating demand for well-maintained rental housing. For landlords, the arriving retirees and remote workers are among the most financially stable tenants available — they typically have retirement income, investment portfolios, or remote work salaries that are not tied to local employment conditions.
Tourism Economy
Johnson County’s 1.09 million annual visitors in 2024 represent an extraordinary tourism ratio for a county of 8,447 residents. Leisure and hospitality accounts for 17.4% of county employment — a significant share that reflects the county’s position on the Yellowstone-to-Mount Rushmore tourism corridor. Hospitality workers (hotel staff, restaurant workers, guides, outfitters) represent a tenant segment that can be reliable during the tourist season but faces income uncertainty in shoulder periods. For landlords renting to hospitality workers, year-round employment verification and understanding seasonal income patterns is important.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Fourth Judicial District Court (620 W. Fetterman St, Suite 208, Buffalo). After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files a FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Johnson 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 and 1-21-1201–1211 — applicable in Johnson 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.
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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.
Buffalo (historic Main Street, Occidental Hotel, Bighorn Mountains gateway, 1.09M visitors/yr) + Kaycee (Powder River, Hoofprints of the Past). Veterans Home of Wyoming. JC Healthcare. 2nd-oldest county in WY (27.8% over 65). Growing in-migration. Mountain Time. FED in 4th District Court. No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. Sheriff enforces.
Johnson County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: Veterans Home of Wyoming staff, JC Healthcare workers, JCSD teachers, county government workers. Retirees with fixed income: verify income stability (Social Security, pension, investment income vs. wages). Remote workers: verify employer stability and remote arrangement permanence. Hospitality workers: verify year-round vs. seasonal. Income at 3x rent. Run WY court records.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Johnson County, Wyoming
Johnson County is one of Wyoming’s most appealing small communities for quality-of-life migrants, and the rental market reflects a community in transition: from a historically ranching- and energy-dependent economy toward a more diverse base anchored by tourism, healthcare, government services, and an increasing flow of retirees and remote workers choosing Buffalo for its exceptional natural setting, historic character, and Wyoming’s tax advantages. For landlords, this transition creates both opportunity and some complexity — the opportunity of growing demand from financially stable new arrivals, and the complexity of understanding which tenant segments are year-round and reliable versus seasonal and variable.
The Occidental Hotel and Buffalo’s Cultural Capital
Buffalo’s Main Street Historic District is one of Wyoming’s most intact Victorian commercial districts, and the Occidental Hotel — which hosted Buffalo Bill Cody, Teddy Roosevelt, and Owen Wister during its 19th-century heyday and inspired the fictional Sunk Creek ranch in The Virginian — still operates as a working hotel with a saloon and dining room. This cultural capital is part of what makes Buffalo genuinely distinctive among Wyoming towns of its size and is a primary driver of the 1.09 million annual visitor figure. The Bozeman Trail, the Powder River Basin battles, and the Johnson County War are all commemorated in the area, drawing history enthusiasts alongside outdoor recreation visitors seeking the Bighorn Mountains, Cloud Peak Wilderness, and world-class trout fishing. For landlords, this tourism draw creates a viable STR market, particularly during summer and fall hunting season.
The Quality-of-Life Migration Trend
Wyoming economic analysts have specifically identified Johnson, Sheridan, and Park counties as the primary recipients of Wyoming’s recent positive in-migration, with the arrivals being notably older than the workers who drove earlier migration cycles. These are people who can choose where they live — retirees with pension and investment income, remote workers with portable salaries, and lifestyle migrants from higher-cost states who are trading urban amenities for outdoor access and Wyoming’s tax advantages. For landlords in Buffalo, these in-migrants represent a potentially ideal tenant profile: financially stable income sources not tied to local employment conditions, genuine commitment to the community (people who moved here by choice), and willingness to pay market rates for quality housing. The key screening nuance is verifying income type — a retiree with Social Security, pension, and investment income is highly stable; a remote worker whose employer relationship is informal or recent may carry more risk.
Johnson County landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-21-1001–1016 and 1-21-1201–1211. 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; 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. 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 income tax. Court: Fourth Judicial District Court, 620 W. Fetterman St Suite 208, Buffalo, WY 82834; phone (307) 684-7271. Hours Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MT. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Johnson County, Wyoming and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with a licensed Wyoming attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: May 2026.
