House Lockout in Tacoma, WA

Glass and frames around Tacoma front doors

City guidelines for the North Slope and Wedge historic districts note that historic entry doors there commonly have sidelights and occasionally a transom. On those doors the glass beside the lock is part of the entry, so a smashed pane turns a lockout into a glazing repair, on a door the guidelines ask owners to retain whenever feasible.

What differs by building type

• North Slope houses. The historic district, from North I Street to North Grant Avenue between Division Avenue and Steele Street, holds more than 950 properties, mostly Victorian, Craftsman, Colonial Revival and Foursquare houses. Give the cross streets, and check whether a back or side door was left unlocked.
• South J Street. Eight detached row houses from 1889 and 1890 share this street, so give the house number and describe the door.
• Converted warehouses. In the reused brick buildings around Pacific Avenue, a shared street door may sit in front of your own. Say whether you are locked out of the building, your unit or both, and who controls the street door.

What to have ready

1. Photo ID showing the address. If it shows an old address, have a lease, deed or other document with your name and this address.
2. A description of the lock: knob, deadbolt, mortise lock or keypad.
3. Whether a child, a pet or a stove left on is inside. If anyone is in danger, call 911 first.

When a landlord is the reason

A lockout caused by a landlord is a different problem from a lost key. RCW 59.18.290(1) makes it unlawful for a landlord to remove or exclude a tenant except under a court order. This is general information, not legal advice.

After a lost or stolen key, lock rekeying resets the lock so old keys stop working. Related pages: house lockout and Tacoma.