Agency rule making

Rule-making process

WSDOT and the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) file all proposed, emergency, amended, new, and repealed rules with the Office of the Code Reviser. The Office of the Code Reviser publishes them in the Washington State Register (WSR). Adopted rules become part of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

WSDOT and WSTC are committed to developing and adopting rules that are necessary, fair, understandable, and consistent. WSDOT's Business Support Services Division oversees and provides information about rules administered by WSDOT and WSTC. The Business Support Services Division is the official WSDOT and WSTC liaison with the Office of the Code Reviser and the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC).

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) is the state law that outlines the standards that WSDOT and WSTC must follow to adopt a rule. The Regulatory Fairness Act requires WSDOT and WSTC to analyze the impact of their rules on small businesses.

If you would like to receive notifications about WSDOT and WSTC Washington State Register filings, please email the WSDOT WAC Rules Coordinator.

WSDOT proposed rules, public hearings, and filings

• Public hearing on June 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. for rule making for proposed Chapter 468-410 WAC (titled “Special highway uses—Special events within highway right-of-way”). This proposal would establish permitting requirements and conditions for special events conducted within a state highway right-of-way to ensure public safety and minimize disruption to highway operations.
  Location:  Virtual hearing in Microsoft Teams (Chapter 468-410 WAC on special highway uses)
  You may submit comments and any supporting data in writing (including electronically) by June 8, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to:
  Jessi Henderson
  P.O. Box 47344
  Olympia, WA 98504-7344
  Email: Jessi.Henderson@wsdot.wa.gov
  
  Assistance for persons with disabilities: request by June 2, 2026: 
  Contact: WSDOT Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) office
  Phone: Toll-free: 855-362-4ADA(4232)
  TTY: 711 
  Email: wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov
   
• Public hearing on June 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. for rule making for proposed Chapter 468-420 WAC (titled “Event signs, banners, and decorations”). This proposal would reestablish rules on event signs, banners, and decorations. 
  Location:  Virtual hearing in Microsoft Teams (Chapter 468-420 WAC on event signs, banners, and decorations)
  You may submit comments and any supporting data in writing (including electronically) by June 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to:
  Jessi Henderson
  P.O. Box 47344
  Olympia, WA 98504-7344
  Email: Jessi.Henderson@wsdot.wa.gov
  
  Assistance for persons with disabilities: request by June 3, 2026: 
  Contact: WSDOT Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) office
  Phone: Toll-free: 855-362-4ADA(4232)
  TTY: 711 
  Email: wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov
   
• Public hearing on June 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. for rule making for Chapter 468-15 WAC (titled “Small works roster”). This proposal would allow use of the small works roster contracting process for Washington State Ferries vessels.
  Location:  Virtual hearing in Microsoft Teams (Chapter 468-15 WAC: Small works roster)
  You may submit comments and any supporting data in writing (including electronically) by June 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to:
  Thanh Nguyen
  2901 3rd Ave.
  Seattle, WA 98121
  Email: Thanh.Nguyen@wsdot.wa.gov 
  
  Assistance for persons with disabilities: request by June 4, 2026: 
  Contact: WSDOT Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) office
  Phone: Toll-free: 855-362-4ADA(4232)
  TTY: 711 
  Email: wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov
   
• Rule making for WAC 468-06-140 (titled “Department index”). This rule reflects requirements for the department index for certain records.
  We held a virtual public hearing in Microsoft Teams on February 24, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. We have adopted the proposed rule. It is effective on June 13, 2026.
   
• Rule making for Chapter 468-100 WAC (titled “Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition”). This rule makes updates based on updates to federal regulations and state law. 
  We held a virtual public hearing in Microsoft Teams on May 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. We have adopted the rule with minor edits to remove an asterisk in WAC 468-100-302 and use the full Washington state department of transportation name in WAC 468-100-305(1). The rule is effective on June 11, 2026.
   
• You can access all WSDOT filings in the Washington State Register.

Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) proposed rules, public hearings, and filings

• There are no proposed rules or scheduled WAC hearings for WSTC at this time. 
• You can access all WSTC filings in the Washington State Register.