WSDOT Local Programs ROW Services staff serve as consulting experts to local agencies who are acquiring right of way on federally funded transportation projects. Local Programs ROW Services provides oversight, technical assistance, training, and compliance monitoring/reviews to ensure local agencies are acquiring, managing and disposing of real estate consistent with state/federal regulations, which includes compliance with the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Act (URA).

Manuals & Regulations

• Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) Manual Chapter 25 - Right of Way Procedures (pdf 984 kb) – guidance for acquiring ROW in accordance with federal/state requirements. Information on specific federal/state laws and regulations pertaining to acquisition of real property and relocation assistance can be found by clicking the hyperlinks provided throughout the chapter.
• WSDOT Right of Way Manual (M 26-01) – guidance on statewide policies and standards for real estate transactions to both internal and external customers.

Federal Manuals & Guidance

• Project Development Guide – designed to provide information necessary to complete a typical federal-aid highway ROW project using plain talk and a common sense approach.
• Real Estate Acquisition Guide for Local Public Agencies USDOT – this guide is intended to serve a basic reference for local public agencies receiving federal-aid highway funds for projects involved in acquisition of real property.
• FHWA panel discussion video (mp4 150 mb)– a FHWA panel discussion designed to give managers, directors, and project engineers of local agencies a brief overview of what is required to meet the Uniform Act and preserve federal funds. You may need to download this file first, before playing it back on your computer.

ROW Clarification & Guidance

• FHWA Temporary Waiver of Methodology for Calculating Replacement Housing Payment for Negative Equity - January 2020 (pdf 347 kb) – provides guidance to agencies who run into negative equity situations when acquiring property for federal-aid projects. The guidance outlines criteria that must be met and the process to be followed so a payoff to a lender that is greater than the value of the home does not negatively affect the property owner’s replacement housing payment.
• Guidance on Payment Available Date - March 2016 (pdf 161 kb) – this guidance supplements Chapter 6 of the Right of Way Manual and provides examples of situations that meet the definition of the “payment available date”.

Approved Consultant List for WSDOT ROW Services

The Approved Consultant List replaces the former Approved Appraiser and Review Appraiser spreadsheet. Local agencies, with federally funded transportation projects, must use this new consultant list for appraisers and review appraisers. At this time, local agencies are NOT required to use this consultant list for other right of way disciplines.

For more information:
Michelle Newlean – Local Programs ROW Manager
(360)705-7329 : michelle.newlean@wsdot.wa.gov

David Narvaez – Local Agency Coordinator (LAC)-Northwest Region
(206)440-4205 : david.narvaez@wsdot.wa.gov

Eva Betts – (LAC)-Olympic Region & Southwest Region
360)705-7325 : eva.betts@wsdot.wa.gov

Terri Brown – (LAC)-North Central Region, South Central Region & Eastern Region
(509)577-1656 : terri.brown@wsdot.wa.gov

Stay Informed
Subscribe to email or text alerts to receive news and information about Local Programs Right of Way topics.