Washakie County occupies the central Big Horn Basin in northwestern Wyoming, its county seat Worland (~4,762) sitting along the Big Horn River in one of Wyoming’s most distinctive microclimates. Surrounded by mountain ranges on nearly all sides — the Bighorns to the east, the Absarokas to the west, the Owl Creeks to the south — the Big Horn Basin acts as a natural wind break, making Worland the least windy municipality in Wyoming and giving it weather patterns more moderate than any other Wyoming city. That geographical shelter also creates the agricultural conditions that define the county’s economy: irrigated fields producing sugar beets, dry beans, barley, and alfalfa along the Big Horn River’s broad valley floor, supporting both crop farming and the beef cattle ranches that graze the surrounding uplands.
The county’s economy combines this irrigated agricultural base with oil and gas drilling (the Big Horn Basin has produced oil since the early 20th century), manufacturing (including food processing facilities), and state government services led by the Wyoming Boys’ School — a state juvenile correctional facility near Worland that is one of the county’s significant institutional employers. Washakie Medical Center serves as the regional healthcare anchor. The county’s population has been declining (down ~11.4% since 2010), reflecting the broader demographic challenges of rural Wyoming agricultural communities, though Worland remains a stable service center for the surrounding region. Worland’s 19.7% Hispanic population reflects the agricultural workforce that has become integral to Big Horn Basin farming operations.
All residential landlord-tenant matters are governed by Wyoming Statutes §§ 1-21-1001 through 1-21-1211. Eviction actions (FED) are filed in the Fifth Judicial District Court in Worland. No rent control exists anywhere in Wyoming.
Ten Sleep (~260 — Ten Sleep Canyon, climbing), Manderson (~100)
County Population
~7,557 (declining ~0.5%/yr; down 11.4% since 2010)
Demographics
19.7% Hispanic in Worland — highest among WY county seats; reflects agricultural workforce
Median HH Income
~$63,357 (Worland); ~$65,714 (county)
Median Home Value
~$185,300 (Worland, 2024 — very affordable)
Cost of Living
Index 82.3 (well below US average)
Major Employers
Agriculture sector (sugar beets, grains, livestock), oil & gas drilling companies, Wyoming Boys’ School (state), Washakie Medical Center, Washakie County School District, county & state government, manufacturing/food processing
Rent Control
None
Landlord Rating
4/10 — stable agricultural base; very affordable acquisitions; declining population trend; Wyoming Boys’ School and hospital provide stable institutional tenants; modest but predictable market
⚖️ 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
Fifth Judicial District Court, Washakie County
Courthouse Address
1001 Big Horn Ave, Suite 211, Worland, WY 82401
Court Phone
(307) 347-4821
Mailing Address
PO Box 862, Worland, WY 82401
Court Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Eviction Enforcement
Sheriff only (Writ of Restitution required)
Washakie County Local Ordinances & Landlord Rules
Local rules that apply alongside Wyoming state law
Category
Details
Rental Registration
Wyoming has no state-level landlord licensing. Worland does not require blanket rental registration for long-term residential rentals. Code enforcement is complaint-driven. Wyoming lodging tax applies to short-term rentals. Ten Sleep, in the eastern part of the county near Ten Sleep Canyon, draws rock climbers, hikers, and outdoors visitors and has some modest STR potential. The canyon itself is a nationally recognized sport climbing destination.
Rent Control
None. Wyoming has no rent control anywhere in the state. Worland’s cost of living index of 82.3 (well below the US average) and median home value of ~$185,300 make it among the most affordable rental markets in Wyoming. 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 month’s rent practice in this market given the lower income profile.
Wyoming Boys’ School
The Wyoming Boys’ School, a state juvenile correctional and rehabilitation facility located just south of Worland near the unincorporated community of McNutt, is one of the county’s more significant institutional employers. Its staff — juvenile correction officers, counselors, social workers, teachers, healthcare workers, food service, and administrative personnel — hold state government positions with civil service protections and stable employment. For Worland landlords, Wyoming Boys’ School employees represent a reliable institutional tenant segment with stable state employment not tied to commodity markets or seasonal patterns.
Agricultural Economy & Hispanic Community
Washakie County’s agricultural economy encompasses sugar beet production (historically significant in the Big Horn Basin), dry bean farming, barley, alfalfa, and beef cattle ranching. The 19.7% Hispanic population in Worland — the highest share among Wyoming’s county seats — reflects the agricultural workforce that supports Big Horn Basin farming. For landlords, this demographic represents a meaningful tenant segment: agricultural workers employed in the fields and food processing facilities. Screen carefully: distinguish year-round ranch and farm employees (more stable) from seasonal crop labor (less stable tenure). Use term leases for seasonal workers rather than month-to-month arrangements.
Ten Sleep Canyon — A Hidden Gem
Ten Sleep Canyon, about 25 miles east of Worland on US-16, is a nationally recognized rock climbing destination with hundreds of sport climbing routes on limestone walls above Ten Sleep Creek. The small town of Ten Sleep (~260) serves as the service hub for climbers and outdoor visitors. While the rental market in Ten Sleep is genuinely tiny, the canyon’s draw creates real short-term rental potential for the right property — climbers travel from across the country and internationally for the Ten Sleep experience, and accommodations in the area are limited.
Wyoming FED Eviction Process
Evictions are Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) proceedings filed in the Fifth Judicial District Court (1001 Big Horn Ave, Suite 211, Worland). After serving appropriate notice, the landlord files a FED complaint. Upon judgment, the court issues a Writ of Restitution. Only the Washakie 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 Washakie 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.
Ready to File?
Generate Wyoming-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Wyoming requirements.
Calculate your required notice period and earliest FED filing date
📋 Notice Period Calculator
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ 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.
Worland (Big Horn River, Wyoming’s least windy city, Big Horn Basin ag hub, 19.7% Hispanic) + Ten Sleep (rock climbing canyon). Wyoming Boys’ School. Washakie Medical Center. Agriculture + oil & gas + manufacturing. Cost of living 82.3. Median home ~$185K. Mountain Time. FED in 5th District Court. No deposit cap. 3-day notices; 30-day M-t-M. No WY income tax. Sheriff enforces.
Washakie County
Screen Before You Sign
Best profiles: Wyoming Boys’ School staff, Washakie Medical Center workers, WCSD teachers/staff, county government, oil & gas company direct employees. Agricultural workers: distinguish year-round (ranch hands, farm managers) from seasonal (crop workers) — use term leases for seasonal. Income at 3x rent (use realistic thresholds for the market). Run WY court records. Small community — references valuable.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Washakie County, Wyoming
Washakie County is Wyoming at its most agricultural — a wide river valley ringed by mountains, irrigated by the Big Horn River, and producing the crops and livestock that have sustained the Big Horn Basin since homesteader settlement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Worland, founded along the river in 1906, grew as a railroad hub for the basin’s agricultural commerce and has remained the county’s service center and county seat ever since. Its position in the wind-sheltered center of the basin gives it climate advantages unusual for Wyoming — warm summers, relatively mild winters by Wyoming standards, and the distinction of being the least windy municipality in a state famous for its fierce winds. For residents and landlords alike, this makes Worland physically one of Wyoming’s more comfortable places to live, a quality that quietly supports the stable if slowly declining community that has made its home there.
The Big Horn Basin Agricultural Economy
The Big Horn Basin’s irrigated valleys have been producing sugar beets, dry beans, barley, and alfalfa for more than a century. The agricultural workforce that works these fields and the ranches surrounding them is reflected in Worland’s demographic profile — the city has the highest Hispanic population share of any Wyoming county seat at 19.7%, a community that has become integral to Big Horn Basin farming operations. For landlords, this population represents a significant portion of the rental market: a workforce that needs affordable, stable housing year-round to support the farms and ranches that depend on them. Properties that are accessible, reasonably priced, and well-maintained will find consistent demand from this community.
Ten Sleep Canyon: Wyoming’s Climbing Secret
Ten Sleep Canyon, in the eastern corner of Washakie County, is one of Wyoming’s most remarkable and underappreciated outdoor destinations. The limestone canyon walls rising above Ten Sleep Creek hold hundreds of sport climbing routes ranging from beginner to elite, and the area has developed a devoted following among climbers from across North America and Europe who make annual pilgrimages to its unique rock. The small town of Ten Sleep serves these visitors with a handful of local businesses, and the area has genuine short-term rental potential for property owners willing to cater to the climbing community. For landlords interested in STR rather than long-term residential rental, a well-situated Ten Sleep property can generate meaningful summer and fall income from this devoted visitor base.
Washakie 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: Fifth Judicial District Court, 1001 Big Horn Ave Suite 211, Worland, WY 82401 (PO Box 862); phone (307) 347-4821. Hours Mon–Fri 8am–5pm MT. Last updated: May 2026.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Washakie 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.
