If you only remember one point about getting a security deposit back in Wyoming, remember this: The cap is No statewide cap. The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the rental agreement / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions. Interest: No statewide interest requirement. Procedure, examples, and the opinions below hang off Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208. Wrongful withholding can support damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Wyoming’s residential rental statutes.
Interest and accounting
No statewide interest requirement.
Walking through Wyoming facts
Use this walkthrough to see which Wyoming authority does the work at each step.
A residential tenant moves out of a Wyoming rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: No statewide cap.
- Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the rental agreement / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest, if any: No statewide interest requirement.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Wyoming’s residential rental statutes.
Wyoming does not cap residential deposits statewide. Landlords must return deposits with itemization within 30 days. Double damages can apply for wrongful withholding. Circuit court handles many disputes.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Wrongful withholding can support damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Wyoming’s residential rental statutes.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Wyoming does not cap residential deposits statewide. Landlords must return deposits with itemization within 30 days. Double damages can apply for wrongful withholding. Circuit court handles many disputes.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
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Case law: security deposits in Wyoming
NORTHERN LARAMIE RANGE FOUNDATION, a Wyoming non-profit corporation, Northern Laramie Range Alliance, LLC, a Wyoming
…uded obtaining leases, the required surveys and analyses, a security deposit to Rocky Mountain Power for the power purchase agreement, and security deposits for the wind turbines. Edison and Wasatch also committed to post a surety bond prior to construction for decommissioning and reclamation of the project site. [¶75] The record, therefore, contained conflicting evidence as to…
Wyoming opinions such as NORTHERN LARAMIE RANGE FOUNDATION, a Wyoming non-profit corporation, Northern Laramie Range Alliance, LLC, a Wyoming are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "Rocky Mountain Power for the power purchase agreement, and security deposits for the wind turbines. Edison and Wasatch also committed to post a surety bond prior to construction for decommissioning and reclamation of the project site." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Pamela Jo THORNLEY and Erwin Robert Thornley, Appellants (Petitioners Below), v. WYOMING HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR
…rnley. The court-was also asked to reduce the amount of the security deposit, which had been set at $10,900. The district court ordered the registration and license plates of Mr. Thornley to be reinstated. It also reduced the security deposit requirement to $900. It was ordered that suspension of the driver’s license of Mrs. Thornley would remain in effect. The Thornleys are ap…
Practitioners open Pamela Jo THORNLEY and Erwin Robert Thornley, Appellants (Petitioners Below), v. WYOMING HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR when Wyoming security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "The court-was also asked to reduce the amount of the security deposit, which had been set at $10,900. The district court ordered the registration and license plates of Mr. Thornley to be reinstated. It also reduced the security deposit requirement to $900." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
In Re Riverton State Bank Madden v. Wilde, State Examiner
In Re Riverton State Bank Madden v. Wilde, State Examiner, 47 Wyo. 469 (1934)
…ant’s sister in law in Wisconsin. The check was accordingly deposited. The deposit slip was written out by the cashier. It was for the sum of $9668.10, and contains the statement: “In receiving items for deposit or collection, the bank acts only as depositor’s collecting agent.” On the books of the bank, the claimant was given credit for the total amount of deposit, namely $966…
Practitioners open In Re Riverton State Bank Madden v. Wilde, State Examiner when Wyoming security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Wisconsin. The check was accordingly deposited. The deposit slip was written out by the cashier. It was for the sum of $9668.10, and contains the statement: “In receiving items for deposit or collection, the bank acts only as depositor’s collecting agent." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
In the Matter of Northern Utilities Company
In the Matter of Northern Utilities Company, 247 P.2d 767 (1952)
…roperty Tax ........... 2,525.51 1,965.31 1,550.04 1,229.62 Security Deposit Interest ............. 982.69 877.93 807.57 720.98 Franchise Participation ........ 1,816.29 1,645.58 1,479.88 1,329.05 __________ __________ __________ __________ 179,392.12 174,345.41 163,336.15 109,508.60 __________ __________ __________ __________ Gross Operating Income ............... 7,419.61 6,2…
Practitioners open In the Matter of Northern Utilities Company when Wyoming security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "Tax ........... 2,525.51 1,965.31 1,550.04 1,229.62 Security Deposit Interest ............. 982.69 877.93 807.57 720.98 Franchise Participation ........ 1,816.29 1,645.58 1,479.88 1,329.05 __________ __________ __________ __________ 179,392.12 174,345.41 163,336.15 109,508." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
In the Interest Of: SK, MK, SK, SK and WM, minor children, MK v. The State of Wyoming
…he ICPC process; approved flexible funding to help her with security deposits and Cheyenne rent; assisted her in managing family disputes during visits; through FFW, facilitated visits and transportation; helped her obtain needed furniture and household items; and helped her plan to attend one of the children’s medical appointments. The record supports the juvenile court’s find…
On security deposits, In the Interest Of: SK, MK, SK, SK and WM, minor children, MK v. The State of Wyoming speaks to the Wyoming dispute in this passage: "Cheyenne rent; assisted her in managing family disputes during visits; through FFW, facilitated visits and transportation; helped her obtain needed furniture and household items; and helped her plan to attend one of the children’s medical appointments." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Rebecca Bextel and Jonathan Bextel v. Fork Road LLC., a Wyoming Limited Liability Company Albert E. Hancock, III
…o you or your companies. To the extent that you have paid a security deposit to MBC, we will be seeking transfer [of] that payment from MBC to us so that you will not need to pay a new security deposit. Further, you should not plan to pay May rent to MBC. MBC has likewise been informed that they are not to collect May rents from its subtenants. We are looking forward to running…
Wyoming opinions such as Rebecca Bextel and Jonathan Bextel v. Fork Road LLC., a Wyoming Limited Liability Company Albert E. Hancock, III are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "To the extent that you have paid a security deposit to MBC, we will be seeking transfer [of] that payment from MBC to us so that you will not need to pay a new security deposit. Further, you should not plan to pay May rent to MBC." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Michael WOLIN, Special Personal Representative of Morris Wolin, Appellant (Defendant), v. William H. WALKER
…1986, through August 31, 1991. The lease required a $2,000 security deposit and a monthly rental payment of $1,200. Wolin excepted the apartment and the garage/storage area from the leased premises for a period of one year from the date of the lease, or until September 1987. Walker entered the premises in accordance with the lease and began operating his used-car business. The…
Michael WOLIN, Special Personal Representative of Morris Wolin, Appellant (Defendant), v. William H. WALKER is worth reading on Wyoming security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "August 31, 1991. The lease required a $2,000 security deposit and a monthly rental payment of $1,200. Wolin excepted the apartment and the garage/storage area from the leased premises for a period of one year from the date of the lease, or until September 1987." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Wilde, State Examiner v. Zimmerman; Same v. Douglas Securities Company; Same v. Douglas Reservoirs Company
…t time were apparently in default. On May 7, 1929, the bank deposited the bonds in question with the treasurer of Converse County, Wyoming, to secure the deposits' which the county had in the bank, guaranteeing the title thereto and vesting it in Converse County. It seems clear from the foregoing, even without considering the testimony of Dr. Hylton, that if the court credited…
Wilde, State Examiner v. Zimmerman; Same v. Douglas Securities Company; Same v. Douglas Reservoirs Company is worth reading on Wyoming security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "On May 7, 1929, the bank deposited the bonds in question with the treasurer of Converse County, Wyoming, to secure the deposits' which the county had in the bank, guaranteeing the title thereto and vesting it in Converse County." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: No statewide cap
- Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the rental agreement / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
- Interest: No statewide interest requirement.
- Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Wyoming’s residential rental statutes.
- Primary authority: Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 1-21-1207 to 1-21-1208.
Deposit limits in Wyoming
No statewide cap
When the deposit must be returned
30 days after termination of the rental agreement / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Wyoming?
No statewide cap
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the rental agreement / surrender of possession, with an itemized list of deductions
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Wrongful withholding can support damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees under Wyoming’s residential rental statutes.
This guide covers Wyoming residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.