Washington Administrative Code

(1) The commission may grant an exemption of any rule in this chapter when doing so is consistent with the public interest, the purposes underlying regulation, and applicable statutes.(2) To request a rule exemption, a company must file with the commission a written request ident…

Carriers or other persons may pay required fees, penalties or other assessments by money order, check, certified check, credit or debit card or by electronic payment payable to the utilities and transportation commission. The commission will accept cash if a payment is made in pe…

If a carrier changes its physical or mailing business address, email address or telephone number, it must immediately notify the commission in writing at the address listed in WAC 480-07-125.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 81.01.010, 81.04.160, and 81.80.130. WSR 13-23-048 (…

The commission has a number of options available to enforce its statutes, rules, orders and tariff requirements, as follows:(1) RCW 81.04.110 allows the commission to file a complaint and hold a hearing.(2) RCW 81.04.260 allows the commission to file in court for an immediate inj…

A carrier must receive a permit from the commission before transporting household goods, for compensation, by motor vehicle over public roads between two points within the state, or before advertising, soliciting, offering, or entering into an agreement to transport household goo…

A company's operations do not require a permit from the commission when the company:(1) Moves commercial or office goods, except when part of a household goods moves.(2) Transports goods that are packed and loaded on the vehicle and unloaded by the customer.(3) Transports goods w…

There are two types of household goods permits.(1) Provisional permit: An applicant must complete a household goods moving company permit application to receive a provisional permit. A provisional permit lasts for a period of not less than six months. In determining whether to gr…

An applicant must complete a household goods moving company permit application and meet the criteria for a provisional permit and, after the provisional period has passed, meet the criteria for a permanent permit, as described in WAC 480-15-305, to receive new authority to operat…

(1) If the holder of a permit wishes to transfer the permit, the person or entity receiving the permit must complete a household goods moving company permit application on a form provided by the commission. The person or entity receiving the permit is the applicant. The applicant…

Household goods permits authorize statewide operations unless:(1) An applicant elects to limit the service territory to specific counties; or(2) The commission, by order, limits an applicant's service territory.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 81.04.160, and 81.80.075. WSR 12…

Application fees are:Type of Permit Application:Fee:Provisional and permanent authority. The fee for provisional, and then permanent, authority is a one-time fee$550.00 Transfer of authority under WAC 480-15-187$250.00 Permit reinstatement under WAC 480-15-450$250.00 Name change …

The commission will grant provisional authority to any applicant that meets the following criteria:(1) The applicant has properly completed the household goods moving company permit application.(2) The application does not contain any indication of fraud, misrepresentation, or er…

(1) The commission will grant permanent authority to any applicant that meets the following criteria:(a) The applicant has met all of the criteria required for a provisional permit as described in WAC 480-15-302.(b) The applicant has completed a provisional period of not less tha…

(1) The commission publishes applications for permanent authority in the application docket that it mails to each applicant and, upon written request, to any other person interested in application proceedings.(2) Anyone having an interest in an application appearing on the docket…

The commission may hold a hearing or brief adjudicative proceeding on any application for permanent authority if it is necessary to resolve outstanding issues or concerns related to fitness, public interest, public convenience and necessity or any other issue resulting from a com…

Carriers must keep the original permit in their main office and carry a copy in each vehicle used to transport household goods. Carriers must show a copy of the permit to any law enforcement or compliance officer who asks to see it.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, …

Carriers may write to the commission and request replacement of a lost or destroyed permit. The commission will issue a replacement permit at no charge.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.250, 81.28.040, 81.80.120, 81.80.130 and 81.80.290. WSR 08-02-049 (Docket …

Intrastate carriers may not allow others to transport household goods under their permit authority. Only the lawful permit holder may conduct operations under a household goods permit. Carriers may not lease permit authority, but may lease vehicles from others for use in their ow…

(1) A carrier must conduct operations under the exact name shown on its household goods permit. If a carrier does business under a trade or assumed name, that name must also appear on the permit.(2) A carrier may not operate under a name that is similar to another carrier unless …

(1) Carriers must file a name change application to change the name on a permit, to add a trade name to the permit, or remove a trade name from the permit.(2) Carriers must include the application fee (as shown in WAC 480-15-230), copies of any corporate minutes authorizing the n…

(1) If a carrier is unable to use its permit due to medical reasons or because of active military service, it may request the authority be voluntarily suspended.(2) The carrier must send its request to the commission in writing and include the following information:(a) Name, addr…

If a carrier no longer wants to use its permit, the carrier may send the commission a written request that it be canceled. The cancellation request must include the carrier's name, address and permit number. The commission will issue an order canceling the permit.[Statutory Autho…

(1) The commission may suspend a permit without the carrier's authorization for good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, the carrier:(a) Failing to maintain evidence of required cargo insurance coverage for all areas of its operations as required by WAC 480-15-550.…

(1) The commission may cancel a permit without the carrier's authorization for good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, the carrier:(a) Failing to file an annual report or pay required regulatory fees.(b) Failing to correct, within the time frame specified in the s…

(1) An annual report is a year end statement that discloses information to the commission about regulated companies.(a) Carriers must report information as required in the annual report forms.(b) The commission will mail annual report forms and instructions to each household good…

(1) A tariff is a publication containing the rates and charges that household goods carriers must assess on shipments of household goods, including rules that govern how rates and charges are assessed.(2) The commission publishes tariffs that all household goods carriers must use…

(1) The commission may charge tariff maintenance fees on an annual basis.(2) The commission may bill any applicable tariff maintenance fees by December 1 of each year. When billed, companies and other tariff subscribers must pay the bill by December 31.(a) If a tariff subscriber …

(1) Companies holding temporary or permanent household goods authority may propose changes to the tariff. In addition, the commission may, on its own motion, propose tariff changes.(2) Companies must send all proposed changes to the commission's mailing address. Proposed changes …

(1) To file an individual tariff or to amend an approved individual tariff already on file with the commission, a carrier must submit all of the following:(a) A cover letter requesting permission to publish and file an individual tariff. The letter must describe the reasons the c…

(1) Before operating under a household goods permit, carriers must have public liability and property damage insurance covering every motor vehicle used in its operations. The commission will not issue a permit for authority to operate without acceptable proof of required insuran…

(1) Carriers must have cargo insurance coverage at the levels prescribed in subsection (2) of this section to protect all household goods transported under the permit. The commission will not issue a permit for authority to operate without acceptable proof of required cargo insur…

(1) Each carrier must complete a national criminal background check for every person the carrier intends to hire.(2) The carrier must keep evidence that it has completed a national criminal background check for every person the carrier intends to hire for as long as that person i…

(1) Household goods carriers must ensure that all vehicles and drivers used to provide household goods comply with all federal, state, and local laws and rules, and commission orders, governing licensing, vehicle safety, and driver safety. Carriers must also comply with parts of …

(1)(a) A household goods carrier must display its permit name and number, as registered with the commission, on both sides of the self-propelled motor vehicle.(b) The markings must be:(i) Legible, during daylight hours, from 50 feet while the motor vehicle is not moving.(ii) In a…

(1) Department of licensing intrastate medical waiver. A household goods carrier may use a driver that is not physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 391.41, if the driver:(a) Only operates motor vehicles intrastate, wholly within the s…

A carrier must enter into an equipment lease agreement before operating a leased motor vehicle. The carrier must ensure that all the following conditions are met:(1) The carrier signs the form and ensures the lessor signs the form.(2) A physical or digital copy of the lease is ca…

(1) Carriers must include the commission-issued permit number, name or trade name as recorded at the commission, physical address and telephone number in any advertising for household goods moving services. Advertising includes, but is not limited to:(a) Advertisements in telepho…

(1) Carriers must give each customer a copy of the commission publication, "Consumer Guide to Moving in Washington State" at the time the carrier gives the customer a written estimate.(2) The language contained in the publication is prescribed by the commission and may not be cha…

Every carrier is required to provide a written estimate to every customer prior to moving a shipment of household goods and must issue a written supplemental estimate when required by commission rule or tariff. The carrier must provide estimates by following the requirements set …

(1) Carriers must provide a written supplemental estimate if the circumstances surrounding the move change in any way to cause the rates or charges to increase.(2) When providing a supplemental estimate, a carrier may not apply a higher rate to the articles and services identifie…

(1) A bill of lading is a shipping document issued by the household goods carrier, signed by both the customer and the household goods carrier that establishes a legal contract with terms and conditions for a shipment of household goods.(2) The carrier must issue a bill of lading…

Carriers must follow the requirement of the tariff as it applies to weight of the shipment.[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.250, 81.28.040, 81.80.120, 81.80.130 and 81.80.290. WSR 08-02-049 (Docket TV-070466, General Order R-547), § 480-15-750, filed 12/27/07…

If a customer is not satisfied with the carrier's service:(1) The carrier must provide the customer with all information and forms necessary to file a complaint or claim.(2) The customer must file any and all claims for loss or damage within nine months from the actual delivery d…

When the carrier receives a complaint or claim, it must:(1) Notify the customer, in writing, within ten business days that it has received the claim or complaint and advise the customer of the availability of the commission for further review by providing the commission's toll-fr…

Carriers must keep all records and papers relating to complaints or claims for three years after the date the complaint or claim is resolved. Carriers must include, at a minimum, the following information in a claim or complaint file:(1) The date the claim or complaint was receiv…

When commission staff refers a customer complaint to a carrier, the carrier must:(1) Provide its initial response to commission staff within five business days from the date commission staff referred the complaint to the carrier. The carrier's response must include the results of…

General requirements: No household goods carrier may operate any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles over the public roads of this state in interstate commerce unless the carrier has met all of the following requirements:(1) Obtained the appropriate operating authority…