Title 47 — Title 47 PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION
45 chapters · 1,269 sections in this title.
RCW 47.42.010 Declaration of purpose.
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The control of signs in areas adjacent to state highways of this state is hereby declared to be necessary to promote the public health, safety, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of public travel, to protect the public investment in the interstate system and other state highways,…
RCW 47.42.020 Definitions.
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The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.(1) "Commercial and industrial areas" means any area zoned commercial or industrial by a county or municipal code, or if unzoned or zoned for general uses by a county or municipal code, that area occupied by …
RCW 47.42.025 Exclusions from scenic system.
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The following sections of the scenic and recreational highway system are excluded from the scenic system as defined in subsection (7) of *RCW 47.42.020:(1) Beginning on state route number 101 at the junction with Airport Road north of Shelton, thence north to a point two thousand…
RCW 47.42.030 Signs visible from interstate, primary, or scenic systems restricted.
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Except as permitted under this chapter, no person shall erect or maintain a sign which is visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system, the primary system, or the scenic system. In case a highway or a section of highway is both a part of the primary system and the …
RCW 47.42.040 Permissible signs classified.
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It is declared to be the policy of the state that no signs which are visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system, primary system, or scenic system shall be erected or maintained except the following types:(1) Directional or other official signs or notices that are…
RCW 47.42.045 Number of signs—Spacing—Tourist facility, business or agricultural signs.
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(1) Not more than one type 3 sign visible to traffic proceeding in any one direction on an interstate system, primary system outside an incorporated city or town or commercial or industrial area, or scenic system highway may be permitted more than fifty feet from the advertised a…
RCW 47.42.050 Information signs by governmental units.
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Information signs may be erected and maintained by the state, any county, city, or town.[ 1961 c 96 s 5.]
RCW 47.42.055 Roadside area information panels or displays.
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The department is authorized to erect roadside area information panels or displays adjacent to the state highway system within this state. The department may contract with private persons for the erection and operation of the information panels or displays. Compensation to the co…
RCW 47.42.060 Rules for signs visible from interstate and scenic systems—Judicial review.
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The department shall adopt rules for the erection and maintenance of signs that are visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system and the scenic system and that are permitted by this chapter and other rules for the administration of this chapter consistent with the …
RCW 47.42.062 Signs visible from primary system in commercial and industrial areas—Requirements, restrictions, and prohibitions.
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Signs within six hundred and sixty feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way which are visible from the main traveled way of the primary system within commercial and industrial areas and whose size, lighting, and spacing are consistent with the customary use of property for th…
RCW 47.42.063 Signs visible from primary system in commercial and industrial areas—Preexisting signs—Permissible signs—Spacing.
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(1) Signs within six hundred and sixty feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way lawfully erected and maintained which are visible from the main traveled way of the primary system within commercial and industrial areas on June 1, 1971 shall be permitted to remain and be mainta…
RCW 47.42.065 Signs viewable from other highways or streets—Requirements.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of chapter 47.42 RCW, signs may be erected and maintained more than six hundred and sixty feet from the nearest edge of the right-of-way which are visible from the main traveled way of the interstate system, primary system, or scenic system whe…
RCW 47.42.070 State and local prohibitions.
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Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to permit a person to erect or maintain any sign that is otherwise prohibited by statute or by the resolution or ordinance of any county, city, or town of the state of Washington.[ 1961 c 96 s 7.]
RCW 47.42.080 Public nuisance—Abatement—Penalty.
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(1) Any sign erected or maintained contrary to the provisions of this chapter or rules adopted hereunder that is designed to be viewed from the interstate system, the primary system, or the scenic system is a public nuisance, and the department, the chief of the Washington state …
RCW 47.42.090 Revocation of permit.
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If any person is convicted of a violation of this chapter, or any rule adopted hereunder, the department may revoke any permit issued to that person under this chapter.[ 1984 c 7 s 228; 1961 c 96 s 9.]
RCW 47.42.100 Preexisting signs—Moratorium.
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(1) No sign lawfully erected in a protected area as defined by section 2, chapter 96, Laws of 1961 (before the amendment thereof), prior to March 11, 1961, within a commercial or industrial zone within the boundaries of any city or town, as such boundaries existed on September 21…
RCW 47.42.102 Compensation for removal of signs—Authorized—Applicability.
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(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, just compensation shall be paid upon the removal of any sign (pursuant to the provisions of chapter 47.42 RCW), lawfully erected under state law, which is visible from the main traveled way of the interstate syst…
RCW 47.42.103 Compensation for removal—Action determining amount—Payment—State's share.
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(1) Compensation as required by RCW 47.42.102 shall be paid to the person or persons entitled thereto for the removal of such signs. If no agreement is reached on the amount of compensation to be paid, the department may institute an action by summons and complaint in the superio…
RCW 47.42.104 Compensation for removal—Federal share—Acceptance.
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The department may accept any allotment of funds by the United States, or any agency thereof, appropriated to carry out the purposes of section 131 of title 23, United States Code, as now or hereafter amended. The department shall take such steps as may be necessary from time to …
RCW 47.42.105 Unavailability of federal share.
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No sign, display, or device shall be required to be removed if the federal share of the just compensation to be paid upon the removal of such sign, display, or device is not available to make such payment.[ 1971 ex.s. c 62 s 15.]
RCW 47.42.107 Compensation for removal under local authority.
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(1) Just compensation shall be paid upon the removal of any existing sign pursuant to the provisions of any resolution or ordinance of any county, city, or town of the state of Washington by such county, city, or town if:(a) Such sign was lawfully in existence on May 10, 1971 (th…
RCW 47.42.110 Agreements for federal aid.
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The department is authorized to enter into agreements (and such supplementary agreements as may be necessary) consistent with this chapter, with the secretary of commerce or the secretary of transportation authorized under section 131(b) of title 23, United States Code, as codifi…
RCW 47.42.120 Permits—Application—Fees—Renewal—Permissible acts—Revocation.
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no sign except a sign of type 1 or 2 or those type 3 signs that advertise activities conducted upon the properties where the signs are located, may be erected or maintained without a permit issued by the department. Applicatio…
RCW 47.42.130 Permit identification number.
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Every permit issued by the department shall be assigned a separate identification number, and each permittee shall fasten to each sign a weatherproof label, not larger than twenty-eight square inches, that shall be furnished by the department and on which shall be plainly visible…
RCW 47.42.140 Scenic areas designated.
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The following portions of state highways are designated as a part of the scenic system:(1) State route number 2 beginning at the crossing of Woods creek at the east city limits of Monroe, thence in an easterly direction by way of Stevens pass to a junction with state route number…
RCW 47.42.901 Severability—1963 ex.s. c 3.
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If any provision of *section 55 of this amendatory act shall be held to be invalid or shall be held to invalidate any provision of chapter 96, Laws of 1961 (chapter 47.42 RCW), then that provision of this amendatory act shall be of no force and effect and the provisions of chapte…
RCW 47.42.910 Short title—1961 c 96.
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This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the highway advertising control act of 1961.[ 1961 c 96 s 17.]
RCW 47.42.911 Short title—1971 ex.s. c 62.
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This chapter may be cited as the "Scenic Vistas Act."[ 1999 c 276 s 3; 1971 ex.s. c 62 s 19.]
RCW 47.42.920 Federal requirements—Conflict and accord.
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If the secretary of the United States department of transportation finds any part of this chapter to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby declared t…
RCW 47.44.010 Wire and pipe line and tram and railway franchises—Application—Rules on hearing and notice.
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(1) The department of transportation may grant franchises to persons, associations, private or municipal corporations, the United States government, or any agency thereof, to use any state highway for the construction and maintenance of water pipes, flume, gas, oil or coal pipes,…
RCW 47.44.020 Grant of franchise—Conditions—Hearing.
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(1) If the department of transportation deems it to be for the public interest, the franchise may be granted in whole or in part, with or without hearing under such regulations and conditions as the department may prescribe, with or without compensation, but not in excess of the …
RCW 47.44.031 Removal of facilities—Limitation.
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The provisions of *RCW 47.44.030 authorizing the department to pay or reimburse the owner of a utility apply only to relocation or removal of utility facilities required by state construction contracts which are advertised for bids by the department after June 30, 1959.[ 1984 c 7…
RCW 47.44.040 Franchises across joint bridges.
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Whenever any bridge exists on the route of any state highway and crosses any stream, body of water, gulch, navigable water, swamp, or other topographical formation constituting the boundary of this state or the boundary of a county, city, or town of this state and the bridge is o…
RCW 47.44.050 Permit for short distances.
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(1) The department may grant a permit to construct or maintain on, over, across, or along any state highway any water, gas, telephone, telegraph, light, power, or other such facilities when they do not extend along the state highway for a distance greater than three hundred feet.…
RCW 47.44.060 Penalties.
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(1) Any person, firm, or corporation who constructs or maintains on, over, across, or along any state highway any water pipe, flume, gas pipe, telegraph, telephone, electric light, or power lines, or tram or railway, or any other such facilities, without having first obtained and…
RCW 47.44.081 Exception—Leases for deployment of personal wireless service facilities.
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This chapter does not apply to leases issued for the deployment of personal wireless service facilities as provided in RCW 47.04.045.[ 2003 c 244 s 3.]
RCW 47.44.150 Measure of damages.
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In any action for damages against the state of Washington, its agents, contractors, or employees by reason of damages to a utility or other facility located on a state highway, the damages are limited to the cost of repair of the utility or facility and are recoverable only in th…
RCW 47.44.160 Broadband facilities and infrastructure—Collaboration.
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(1) The department is directed to adopt and maintain an agency policy that requires the department to proactively provide broadband facility owners with information about planned state highway projects to enable collaboration between broadband facility owners and the department t…
RCW 47.46.010 Finding.
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The legislature finds and declares:It is essential for the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the state and the maintenance of a high quality of life that the people of the state have an efficient transportation system.The ability of the state to provide an efficie…
RCW 47.46.011 Finding—Intent—2002 c 114.
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The legislature finds that greater flexibility to provide state financing for projects developed under chapter 47.46 RCW will result in better use of public resources, lower financing costs, and potential savings to taxpayers. The legislature intends to: Clarify the ability of th…
RCW 47.46.020 Definitions.
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As used in this chapter:(1) "Electronic toll collection system" means a system that collects tolls by crediting or debiting funds from a customer's unique prepaid tolling account.(2) "Photo toll" means a charge associated with a particular vehicle that can only be identified by i…
RCW 47.46.030 Demonstration projects—Selection—Public involvement.
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(1) The secretary or a designee shall solicit proposals from, and negotiate and enter into agreements with, private entities to undertake as appropriate, together with the department and other public entities, all or a portion of the study, planning, design, construction, operati…
RCW 47.46.040 Demonstration projects—Terms of agreements—Public participation.
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(1) The secretary or a designee shall consult with legal, financial, and other experts within and outside state government in the negotiation and development of the agreements.(2) Agreements may provide for private ownership of the projects during the construction period. After c…
RCW 47.46.050 Financial arrangements.
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(1) The department may enter into agreements using federal, state, and local financing in connection with the projects, including without limitation, grants, loans, and other measures authorized by section 1012 of ISTEA, and to do such things as necessary and desirable to maximiz…
RCW 47.46.060 Deferral of taxes—Application—Repayment.
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(1) Any person, including the department of transportation and any private entity or entities, may apply for deferral of taxes on the site preparation for, the construction of, the acquisition of any related machinery and equipment that becomes a part of, and the rental of equipm…
RCW 47.46.070 Use of state bonds on certain projects.
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(1) To the extent that the legislature specifically appropriates funding for a project developed under this chapter using the proceeds of bonds issued by the state, an agreement for the design or construction of the project entered into by the secretary must incorporate provision…
RCW 47.46.080 State toll facilities authorized for projects.
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The department may provide for the establishment and construction of state toll bridge facilities upon any public highways of this state together with approaches to them under agreements entered into under this chapter to develop such facilities. A state toll bridge facility auth…
RCW 47.46.090 Citizen advisory committee—Tolls.
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(1) A citizen advisory committee must be created for any project developed under this chapter that imposes toll charges for use of a transportation facility. The governor shall appoint nine members to the committee, all of whom must be permanent residents of the affected project …
RCW 47.46.091 Tacoma Narrows bridge citizen advisory committee.
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The Tacoma Narrows bridge citizen advisory committee is hereby created as directed under RCW 47.46.090. The advisory committee members shall be appointed proportionately, to the extent practicable, from those areas from which the majority of the trips originate on the bridge acco…
RCW 47.46.100 Tolls—Setting—Lien on.
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(1) The commission shall fix the rates of toll and other charges for all toll bridges built under this chapter that are financed primarily by bonds issued by the state. Subject to RCW 47.46.090, the commission may impose and modify toll charges from time to time as conditions war…