Title 47 — Title 47 PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to further the public interest and aeronautical progress by providing for the protection and promotion of safety in aeronautics; by cooperating in effecting uniformity of the laws and regulations relating to the developmen…

Unless the language specifically indicates otherwise, or unless the context plainly requires a different interpretation:Wherever in any provision in the Revised Code of Washington the term "Washington state aeronautics commission", "the state aeronautics commission", "the aeronau…

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:(1) "Aeronautics" means the science and art of flight and including, but not limited to, transportation by aircraft; the operation, construction, repair, or maintenance of aircraft, aircraft power plants and …

Suitable offices and office equipment shall be provided by the state for the aeronautics division of the department of transportation in a city in the state that it may designate, and the department may incur the necessary expense for office furniture, stationery, printing, incid…

The department has general supervision over aeronautics within this state. It is empowered and directed to encourage, foster, and assist in the development of aeronautics in this state and to encourage the establishment of airports and air navigation facilities. It shall cooperat…

The department may draft and recommend necessary legislation to advance the interests of the state in aeronautics, represent the state in aeronautical matters before federal agencies and other state agencies, and participate as party plaintiff or defendant or as intervener on beh…

(1) The department of transportation may make available its engineering and other technical services, with or without charge, to any municipality or person desiring them in connection with the planning, acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation of airports…

The department is authorized on behalf of and in the name of the state, out of appropriations and other moneys made available for such purposes, to plan, establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, protect, and police airports, air navigation facil…

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to limit any right, power or authority of the state or a municipality to regulate airport hazards by zoning.[ 1947 c 165 s 11; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 10964-91. Formerly RCW 14.04.110.]Notes:Planning commissions: Chapter 35.63 RCW.

In the condemnation of property authorized by this chapter, the department shall proceed in the name of the state in the manner that property is acquired by the department for public uses.[ 1984 c 7 s 347; 1947 c 165 s 12; Rem. Supp. 1947 s 10964-92. Formerly RCW 14.04.120.]Notes…

In operating an airport or air navigation facility owned or controlled by the state, the department may enter into contracts, leases, and other arrangements for a term not exceeding twenty-five years with any persons. The department may grant the privilege of using or improving t…

The department may by contract, lease, or other arrangement, upon a consideration fixed by it, grant to any qualified person for a term not to exceed twenty-five years the privilege of operating, as agent of the state or otherwise, any airport owned or controlled by the state: PR…

To enforce the payment of any charges for repairs to, improvements, storage, or care of any personal property made or furnished by the department or its agents in connection with the operation of an airport or air navigation facility owned or operated by the state, the state shal…

The department is authorized to accept, receive, receipt for, disburse, and expend federal moneys, and other moneys public or private, made available to accomplish, in whole or in part, any of the purposes of this section. All federal moneys accepted under this section shall be a…

The department may designate, design, and establish, expand, or modify a state airways system that will best serve the interest of the state. It may chart the airways system and arrange for publication and distribution of such maps, charts, notices, and bulletins relating to the …

The department may enter into any contracts necessary to the execution of the powers granted it by this chapter. All contracts made by the department, either as the agent of the state or as the agent of any municipality, shall be made pursuant to the laws of the state governing t…

The department is authorized to establish the necessary accounts or administrative procedures required by conditions attached to transfers of airport facilities from the federal government to the state of Washington.[ 1984 c 7 s 352; 1963 c 73 s 1. Formerly RCW 14.04.185.]

The department shall not grant any exclusive right for the use of any landing area or air navigation facility under its jurisdiction. This section shall not be construed to prevent the making of contracts, leases, and other arrangements pursuant to this chapter.[ 1984 c 7 s 353; …

The acquisition of any lands or interest therein pursuant to this chapter, the planning, acquisition, establishment, construction, improvement, maintenance, equipment, and operation of airports and air navigation facilities, whether by the state separately or jointly with any mun…

The department of transportation may perform such acts, issue and amend such orders, make, promulgate, and amend such reasonable general rules, and procedures, and establish such minimum standards, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as it shall deem necessary to perf…

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an aircraft in the air, or on the ground or water, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotics, or other habit-forming drug, or to operate an aircraft in the air or on the ground or water, in a careless manner so as t…

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause or authorize to be operated any civil aircraft within this state unless such aircraft has an appropriate effective certificate, permit, or license issued by the United States, if such certificate, permit, or license is requi…

The department shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order or a *residential or visitation order. If th…

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, or any of the rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant thereto, is guilty of a misdemeanor.(2)(a) Any person violating any of the provisions of RCW 47.68.220…

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2711-S.SL) ***(1) Every aircraft, inclusive of commercial unpiloted aircraft systems, must be registered with the department for each calendar year in which the aircraft is operated or is based within this state. A fee of fifteen dollars is charged for…

A person who is required to register an aircraft under this chapter and who registers an aircraft in another state or foreign country evading the Washington aircraft excise tax is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. For a second or subsequent offense, the person convicted is also subj…

The department or any officer or employee of the department designated by it has the power to hold investigations, inquiries, and hearings concerning matters covered by this chapter including accidents in aeronautics within this state. Hearings shall be open to the public and, ex…

The department may confer with or hold joint hearings with any agency of the United States in connection with any matter arising under this chapter or relating to the development of aeronautics.The department may avail itself of the cooperation, services, records, and facilities …

In carrying out this chapter the department may use the facilities and services of other agencies of the state and of the municipalities of the state to the utmost extent possible, and the agencies and municipalities are authorized and directed to make available their facilities …

It is the duty of the secretary, the department, the officers and employees of the department, and every state and municipal officer charged with the enforcement of state and municipal laws to enforce and assist in the enforcement of this chapter and of all other laws of this sta…

Every order of the department requiring performance of certain acts or compliance with certain requirements and any denial or revocation of an approval, certificate, or license shall set forth the reasons and shall state the acts to be done or requirements to be met before approv…

The department is authorized to report to the appropriate federal agencies and agencies of other states all proceedings instituted charging violation of RCW 47.68.220 and 47.68.230 and all penalties, of which it has knowledge, imposed upon airmen or airwomen or the owners or oper…

A structure or obstacle that obstructs the air space above ground or water level, when determined by the department after a hearing to be a hazard or potential hazard to the safe flight of aircraft, shall be plainly marked, illuminated, painted, lighted, or designated in a manner…

The secretary may require owners, operators, lessees, or others having the control or management of structures or obstacles over one hundred fifty feet above ground or water level and that are or may become a hazard to air flight to report the location of the existing or proposed…

RCW 47.68.340 and 47.68.350 shall not apply to structures required to be marked by federal regulations.[ 1983 c 3 s 147; 1961 c 263 s 4. Formerly RCW 14.04.360.]

(1) The aviation division of the department is responsible for the conduct and management of all aerial search and rescue within the state. This includes search and rescue efforts involving aircraft and airships. The division is also responsible for search and rescue activities i…

(1) The aviation division of the department of transportation shall conduct a statewide airport capacity and facilities assessment. The assessment must include a statewide analysis of existing airport facilities, and passenger and air cargo transportation capacity, regarding both…

(1) After submitting the assessment under RCW 47.68.390, the aviation division of the department of transportation shall conduct a statewide airport capacity and facilities market analysis. The analysis must include a statewide needs analysis of airport facilities, passenger and …

(1) Within amounts collected from commercial unpiloted aircraft registration fees pursuant to RCW 47.68.250(1), the aviation division director (also known as the senior state aviation official) or the aviation division director's designee shall act as the unpiloted aircraft syste…

(1) The department of transportation must convene a community aviation revitalization board to exercise the powers granted under this chapter.(2) The board must consist of a representative from the department of transportation's aviation division, the public works board, and a no…

In addition to other applicable provisions of law pertaining to conflicts of interest of public officials, any community aviation revitalization board member, appointive or otherwise, may not participate in any decision on any board contract in which the board member has any inte…

The community aviation revitalization board may:(1) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business;(2) Adopt an official seal and alter the seal at its pleasure;(3) Utilize the services of other governmental agencies;(4) Accept from any federal age…

(1) The community aviation revitalization board may make direct loans to airport sponsors of public use airports in the state for the purpose of airport improvements that primarily support general aviation activities. The board may provide loans for the purpose of airport improve…

The public use general aviation airport loan program, when authorized by the community aviation revitalization board, is subject to the following conditions:(1) The moneys in the public use general aviation airport loan revolving account created in RCW 47.68.490 must be used only…

To enhance competition for loans and the quality of projects for which loans are sought, the community aviation revitalization board must take such reasonable measures as are necessary to familiarize government officials and members of the public with this chapter, particularly t…

The public use general aviation airport loan revolving account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from moneys collected under sections 6023 and 4005, chapter 413, Laws of 2019 and section 1, chapter 175, Laws of 2021 and RCW 47.68.430 through 47.68.480…

The community aviation revitalization board and the department of transportation must keep proper records of accounts, which are subject to audit by the state auditor.[ 2021 c 175 s 9.]Notes:Findings—Effective date—2021 c 175: See notes following RCW 47.68.430.