In addition to a federal order suspending residential evictions in certain cases, many states and localities have implemented their own measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. And some of those orders include commercial evictions.

No one wants to have to miss their rent payment. But if it happens, the numerous federal, state and local measures implemented since the public health crisis began can mitigate the potential for eviction if not remove it altogether.

This article was originally published on April 29, 2020, but has been updated to reflect the current state of the eye care industry amid the ongoing pandemic.

Rent relief offered by states and localities

Below we provide a basic overview of eviction moratoriums in each state. There may be local rules not listed here, as well as programs meant to mediate between tenants and landlords or otherwise prevent evictions.

Alabama

Eviction protections stemming from the coronavirus health crisis expired on June 1, 2020.

Alaska

Evictions resumed in July following the expiration of protections for tenants experiencing financial hardships arising from the pandemic.

Arizona

A moratorium on evictions has expired. However, residential tenants may qualify for an eviction delay if they’re able to provide a “Declaration” as outlined by the state Supreme Court.

Arkansas

No statewide eviction protections have been implemented.

California

In August, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation preventing the eviction of residential tenants based on non-payment of rent until February 1, 2021 if they suffered Covid-19 related hardships from March through August. Tenants who accrued hardships later than that may avoid eviction by paying 25% of their rent.

Additionally, the governor issued an executive order allowing cities to suspend commercial evictions through March 31, 2021. Eviction protections for California counties and cities can be found here.

Colorado 

In October Governor Jared Polis extended an executive order placing a moratorium on evictions of residential and commercial tenants. It’s unclear if that order will be extended again.

Connecticut 

Residential evictions are prohibited until January 2021. There is no such moratorium on commercial evictions.

Delaware

Evictions have been allowed to continue.

Florida

Evictions were allowed to resume in October.

Georgia

No statewide eviction relief has been issued.

Hawaii

The state’s eviction moratorium has been extended through 2020. However, it appears to be specific to residential proceedings.

Idaho

Idaho does not have a statewide eviction moratorium.

Illinois

A moratorium on non-residential evictions expired in August.

Indiana

Evictions have been allowed to resume.

Iowa

The governor put a hold on commercial foreclosures in March. There does not appear to be any non-residential eviction protections in place at this time.

Kansas

An executive order placed a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. The pause was extended through January 26, 2021. Executive order #20-61 applies to both residential and commercial evictions.

Kentucky

Evictions were allowed to begin again in August.

Louisiana

A moratorium on evictions expired in June.

Maine

Evictions have been allowed to proceed under extended notice periods.

Maryland  

The governor issued an executive order prohibiting evictions of commercial tenants adversely affected by the coronavirus or COVID-19 mitigation efforts. This order is in place until the public health emergency ends.

Massachusetts

A legislative ban on evictions expired in October.

Michigan

Evictions have been allowed to start again.

Minnesota

The state governor signed an executive order placing a moratorium on residential evictions. The order is in place for the duration of the coronavirus emergency.

Mississippi

There is no statewide rent relief or eviction moratorium in place.

Missouri

There is not a pause on evictions.

Montana

Residential evictions are suspended for renters who meet specific criteria: must have suffered financial hardship due to the pandemic, be sheltering at home and be a member of a vulnerable population or live with someone who is.

Nebraska

A moratorium on evictions expired in May.

Nevada

A moratorium on residential evictions ended in October.

New Hampshire

A pause on evictions expired in July.

New Jersey

There is a moratorium on residential evictions until February 22, 2021. Commercial tenants are not included under this rule.

New Mexico

The Supreme Court of New Mexico placed a moratorium on evictions in certain cases—if the tenant can prove in court they’re unable to pay rent due to hardships arising from the coronavirus.  The pause applies to residential evictions only.

New York

Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the protections of the Tenant Safe Harbor Act until January 1, 2021. The order protects residential tenants from eviction if they’ve suffered financial hardship stemming from the coronavirus emergency.

Additionally, the governor has extended a similar moratorium on commercial evictions through the rest of 2020.

North Carolina

Executive orders barring residential and commercial evictions expired in June. Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order clarifying that landlords must make residential tenants aware of federal eviction protections in place through the end of December 2020.

North Dakota

The North Dakota Supreme Court’s suspension of residential eviction proceedings expired in May.

Ohio

Governor Mike DeWine’s order suspending all eviction proceedings for small businesses expired at the end of June.

Oklahoma

The Supreme Court of Oklahoma suspended eviction proceedings through May 16. The Court has since allowed cases to proceed.

Oregon

Governor Kate Brown and the state legislature passed numerous orders putting a pause on eviction activities. The legislation banning both residential and commercial evictions expired on September 20. The governor’s orders, which apply only to residential evictions, will expire December 31, 2020.

Pennsylvania

Governor Tom Wolf’s executive order that paused residential evictions expired in August.

Rhode Island

Eviction proceedings were allowed to proceed again in June after being suspended by the Supreme Court of Rhode Island and Governor Gina Raimando.

South Carolina

The Supreme Court of South Carolina’s suspension of residential and commercial evictions expired in May.

South Dakota

There are no state-level measures to halt evictions in South Dakota.

Tennessee

The Supreme Court of Tennessee’s order suspending in-person residential eviction proceedings expired in May.

Texas

The Texas Supreme Court’s emergency order barring residential eviction proceedings was lifted in May.

Utah

Governor Gary Herbert’s executive order suspending residential evictions of individuals suffering wage loss due to the coronavirus pandemic expired in May.

Vermont

Both the Vermont Legislature and the Supreme Court of Vermont suspended evictions. The legislature’s order applies only to residential evictions and expires 30 days after the state’s emergency order is terminated. The court’s order applied to both commercial and residential evictions and was lifted in May.

Virginia

The Virginia Supreme Court’s order suspending all residential eviction proceedings expired in September.

Washington

In March, Governor Jay Islee issued Proclamation 20-19 suspending residential evictions. An April executive order placed a moratorium on commercial evictions. The orders are set to expire December 31, 2020.

Washington, D.C.

The court suspended all evictions of tenants and foreclosed homeowners in D.C. It is not clear whether this applies to commercial tenants.

West Virginia

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia's order postponing court proceedings, including commercial and residential, expired in May.

Wisconsin

Governor Tony Evers’ executive order banning commercial and residential evictions expired in May.

Wyoming

The Supreme Court of Wyoming’s order suspending all in-person court proceedings, including residential and commercial evictions, was lifted in October.