In Washington, you can usually ask a court for a protection order that includes a stay-away distance from your home, but the court does not automatically grant a specific 500-foot boundary in every case. Whether a judge can order that distance often depends on the type of order requested, the facts you can show, and what the court thinks is necessary to protect you.
In general, Washington courts may use civil protection orders to limit contact, require a person to stay away from your home, workplace, school, or other locations, and sometimes keep the person a set distance away. The exact terms can vary, and the court may tailor the order to the circumstances rather than use one fixed distance in every case.
If the person is threatening, stalking, harassing, abusing, or otherwise creating safety concerns, that information may matter a lot. Courts often look at the nature of the conduct, whether there have been repeated incidents, whether there are children or other vulnerable people in the home, and whether a narrower order would be enough to reduce risk.
If you are asking about a specific 500-foot stay-away zone, the court may consider whether that distance is practical and enforceable. For example, a judge might look at the layout of the neighborhood, shared driveways, apartment buildings, common areas, or whether the harasser lives nearby. In some situations, a court might order a different distance or a different kind of restriction instead.
Because Washington protection-order rules can be fact-specific, and because different kinds of orders may have different requirements, it can help to review the available options before filing. Rules may also differ in other states.
This page gives general information only and is not legal advice. If you need immediate safety help, local law enforcement, a domestic violence advocate, or a Washington attorney may be able to help you understand what kind of order may fit your situation.
People asking this question are usually trying to find out whether a court can set a specific distance that keeps another person away from their house. In practice, they may be dealing with stalking, harassment, threats, neighbor conflicts, domestic violence, or repeated unwanted contact. The core issue is often not just whether the court can order someone to stay away, but whether the court can order a particular distance like 500 feet and whether that distance can be enforced in real life.
In Washington, a person may generally ask for a civil protection order or similar court order that includes stay-away provisions. Courts often have discretion to set restrictions that they believe are necessary and appropriate based on the facts. That may include ordering a harasser to stay away from a home or to remain a certain distance from specific places. However, the court usually does not have to use a requested 500-foot distance, and the available relief can depend on the type of order, the evidence presented, and the judge’s assessment of safety and practicality. Rules may differ in other jurisdictions.
Washington has different kinds of protection orders, and the relief available may vary depending on the type of order. Some orders may focus on harassment, stalking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or vulnerable adults, while others may address different safety concerns. The kind of order you request can affect whether a stay-away distance from your home is available and how the court phrases it.
Courts usually look at what happened, how often it happened, and whether there were threats, stalking, intimidation, unwanted contact, or violence. A court may be more likely to include a meaningful stay-away restriction if the facts show a real safety concern rather than a one-time conflict.
A court may consider whether 500 feet is necessary and workable. In some neighborhoods, apartment buildings, or shared-property situations, a fixed distance may be hard to measure or enforce. The court may instead order the person to stay away from the home, not enter the property, or avoid all contact.
The layout of your property and surrounding area can matter. Shared driveways, mail areas, parking lots, common entrances, nearby sidewalks, and neighboring units can all affect how a stay-away order works in practice.
If children, older adults, or other vulnerable people live in the home, the court may consider that when deciding whether broader protection is needed.
Repeated incidents often matter more than isolated disputes. A pattern of following, showing up uninvited, or ignoring prior warnings may support a stronger stay-away request.
Courts generally want orders that police can understand and enforce. A judge may ask whether the requested boundary is clear enough for everyone to follow and whether it can be monitored without confusion.
You may want to speak with a Washington lawyer if the harasser lives nearby, if there are children or other vulnerable people in the home, if there is a history of threats or violence, if a criminal case is also involved, or if you are unsure which type of protection order fits your situation. A lawyer can help explain the differences among available orders and how a requested stay-away distance might be presented to the court. If you need immediate safety planning, a domestic violence advocate or local emergency services may also be appropriate. This page is not legal advice.
Browse lawyer profiles in Washington before deciding who to contact about your situation.
Find Washington LawyersA dated record may help show repeated conduct and explain why you want a stay-away order.
These items may help show unwanted contact, threats, or harassment.
Images may show the person near your home, property damage, or other relevant conduct.
Neighbors, family members, or others may have seen incidents or heard threats.
Past reports or filings may help show a pattern of conduct or prior attempts to address the problem.
A property layout can help explain why a 500-foot distance is needed or how a stay-away term should be written.
This page is for general legal information only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and procedures may change and may vary by jurisdiction. You should talk to a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction about your specific situation.
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