Kitsap County officials are asking for public input on a possible moratorium on evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Citing economic impacts following measures to slow the spread of the outbreak, Kitsap County officials are mulling a possible ban on evictions for residential renters and commercial and nonprofit renters through at least May of this year. According to an April 17 statement from the county, the moratorium would:

• Prohibit eviction proceedings stemming from late or non-payment of rent for at least the months of March, April and May, if the tenant notified the landlord in advance that the non-payment was related to significant financial impacts of COVID-19;
• Prohibit the landlord from imposing late fees, interest or other charges related to late- or non-payment during this time;
• The tenant shall provide evidence regarding this significant financial impact;
• The tenant shall provide evidence that they have applied to federal and state assistance programs such as the CARES act to obtain aid in funding business operations; and
• During the moratorium, landlords shall endeavor to enter into payment plans or other strategies with the tenant

A moratorium for small businesses and nonprofits affected by the governor’s stay-home orders is also being considered.

The proposed moratorium would not waive unpaid rent payments to the landlord, nor would it limit eviction proceedings before or after the moratorium timeline.

Comments regarding the draft moratorium, should be directed to Eric Baker, policy manager for Kitsap County, via email at ebaker@co.kitsap.wa.us. All feedback will be compiled and provided to the board of commissioners for any future consideration of this moratorium.