Washington Laws
130 articles · page 2 of 3
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Washington Hit and Run Laws: Penalties and What to Do
Learn Washington hit and run laws under RCW 46.52.020: penalties from misdemeanor to Class B felony, driver duties, reporting rules, and victim insurance options.
Washington Homestead Exemption: Senior Tax Relief and Creditor Limit
Washington has no general homestead tax exemption. See the senior and disabled exemption, the 2027 amounts, how to apply, and the creditor homestead cap.
Washington Identity Theft Laws: Penalties and Victim Rights
Washington identity theft under RCW 9.35.020 carries built-in civil damages of $1,000 or actual loss. Learn the penalty tiers and victim remedies.
Washington Jury Duty Laws: Pay, Excuses and Employer Rules
Washington jurors get $10 to $25 a day plus mileage, set by county. See who can be excused, the 80-plus health rule, and how RCW 2.36.165 protects your job.
Washington Knife Laws (2026): Spring Blade, Intimidation Rule
Washington bans spring-blade and gravity knives outright, plus a broad intimidation catch-all; no statewide preemption or blade-length limit for knives.
Washington Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Rent Cap, and Tenant Rights
Washington security deposit rules, 30-day return deadline, 2-day entry notice, just-cause eviction, and the 2025 statewide rent cap (HB 1217). Updated 2026.
Washington Landlord-Tenant Recording and Surveillance Laws (2026)
Washington landlord-tenant recording laws prohibit hidden cameras in rental units. Learn surveillance rules, tenant rights, landlord obligations, and privacy protections.
Washington Laws on Recording in Public: What Is Legal and What Is Not (2026)
Washington allows video and photo recording in public spaces, but audio recording of private conversations requires all-party consent. Learn the rules for public recording.
Washington Laws on Recording Police: Your Rights and Legal Limits (2026)
You can legally record police officers in Washington during public duties. Learn your First Amendment rights, law enforcement recording exceptions under RCW 9.73.090, and body camera rules.
Washington Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund
Washington's Motor Vehicle Warranties Act (RCW 19.118) gives you a refund or replacement after 4 repair attempts, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service.
Washington License Plate Reader Laws (2026)
Washington RCW 10.130 limits ALPR use, sets 21-day retention, bars immigration use, and exempts plate data from the Public Records Act.
Washington Marriage and Divorce Records: Anyone Can Order One
Washington marriage and divorce certificates are open to anyone, with no ID or relationship proof. Fees start at $25, and state records run from 1968.
Washington Marriage License Requirements 2026: Fees and 3-Day Wait
How to get a Washington marriage license in 2026: fees of $162 to $172, the 3-day wait with no waiver, the 60-day limit, age 18, officiants and witnesses.
Washington Medical Recording Laws: Recording Doctors, Hospitals, and Telehealth (2026)
Washington medical recording laws require all-party consent under RCW 9.73.030. Learn rules for recording doctors, telehealth visits, hospital stays, and patient privacy protections.
Washington Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
Washington medical records retention laws: how long hospitals and doctors keep your records, HIPAA rules, and patient rights.
Washington Minimum Wage 2026: $17.13 Statewide and Local Rates
Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 an hour in 2026, with higher rates in Seattle, King County and other cities. See 2027 rates announced so far and tip rules.
Washington Motorcycle Accident Laws (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
Washington motorcycle accident law in 2026: the three-year deadline to sue, the pure comparative-negligence rule, the universal helmet law, and lane splitting.
Washington Name Change Laws: How to Legally Change Your Name
How to legally change your name in Washington under RCW 4.24.130: the district court petition, when a file is actually sealed, and divorce name restoration.
Washington Noise Laws (2026): Decibel Limits, Quiet Hours, Fines
Washington caps home-to-home noise at 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA at night, but Ecology does not enforce it; cities and counties do. Loud mufflers start at $53.
Washington Non-Compete Laws (2026): Full Ban Starts June 30, 2027
Washington voids non-competes for workers under $126,858.83 in 2026 and bans all of them from June 30, 2027 under RCW 49.62. See the rules, exceptions and penalties.
Washington Nursing Home Camera Laws (2026): WAC Monitoring Rights
Washington gives nursing home, assisted living, and adult family home residents a right to request in-room cameras under three WAC regulations. Here is how consent and roommate sign-off work.
Washington Open Container Law (2026): Infraction, Not a Crime
Washington's open container law, RCW 46.61.519, is a civil traffic infraction covering drinking, possession, and the vehicle owner's duty. See exemptions.
Washington Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026)
Washington sets an 18 (or 14 with consent) age floor for pepper spray and preempts local bans. Stun guns face restrictions at schools and other sensitive places.
Washington Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules and Exceptions (2026)
Washington phone call recording laws require all-party consent under RCW 9.73.030. Learn how to legally record calls, the threat exception, and penalties for violations.
Washington Police Body Camera Laws: Mandate & Access
Washington has no statewide bodycam mandate yet. See RCW 10.109 policy rules and RCW 42.56.240(14)'s public records exemptions for footage access.
Washington Police Report: How to Get a Crash Report from WRECR, an Incident Report, or Body Camera Video
How to buy a Washington collision report through WRECR for $10.50, request an incident report, and what RCW 42.56.240(14) says about bodycam access.
Washington Pornography Laws (2026): Legal for Adults, No Site AV Law
Washington allows private adult pornography and has no age-verification law for adult sites. See what replaced its repealed harmful-to-minors statute.
Washington Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
Washington POA laws under RCW 11.125 (UPOAA, eff. 2017): not durable by default, requires express durability language; notary or two qualified witnesses; 12 hot powers; health care agent under RCW 11.125.400 and Natural Death Act directive under RCW 70.122.
Washington Prenuptial Agreement Laws: When Courts Enforce Them (2026)
How Washington courts decide if a prenup is enforceable: the two-prong fairness test from In re Marriage of Bernard (2009), disclosure and independent counsel.
Washington Probate and Intestate Succession: What Happens Without a Will (2026)
Washington probate explained: Superior Court process, nonintervention powers, the $100,000 small estate threshold, and community property intestate succession.
Washington Property Records: How to Find Out Who Owns a Property (2026)
Washington property records are kept by the County Auditor, except King County's Recorder. Learn how to search, get certified copies, and check fraud alerts.
Washington Public Records Act: Requests, Fees, and Body Camera Video (2026)
Washington Public Records Act guide: agencies cannot distinguish among requesters, must respond in 5 business days, and face $100 per day penalties for denials.
Washington Quitclaim Deed: Requirements, Recording and REET
How a Washington quitclaim deed works: signing and notary rules, spousal joinder, recording with the county auditor, and real estate excise tax exemptions.
Washington Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, License and Speed (2026)
Washington reckless driving (RCW 46.61.500) is a gross misdemeanor: up to 364 days in jail, a fine up to $5,000 and a license suspension of at least 30 days.
Washington Recording Laws (2026): All-Party Consent Rules
Washington requires all-party consent under RCW 9.73.030. Violations are a gross misdemeanor: up to 364 days jail and $5,000 fine. Civil remedy: $1,000 plus attorney fees.
Washington Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protection Order
Learn how to get a Washington Protection Order under RCW 7.105. Covers all 6 unified order types, free filing, temporary and final order durations, firearms rules, and violation penalties.
Washington Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Washington Ring doorbell laws require all-party consent for audio recording under RCW 9.73.030. Learn penalties, legal setup tips, and how to stay compliant.
Washington Scam and Fraud Laws: Reporting and Your Right to Sue (2026)
Washington scam victims injured in business or property can sue under the CPA for actual damages and fees if they win; a discretionary increase is capped at $25,000.
Washington School Recording Laws: Students, Teachers, and Campus Rules (2026)
Washington school recording laws require all-party consent for audio recording under RCW 9.73.030. Learn student rights, teacher rules, FERPA protections, and IEP meeting recording.
Washington Security Camera Laws: Rules for Home and Business Surveillance (2026)
Washington security camera laws allow silent video but require consent for audio recording. Learn home surveillance rules, business camera requirements, and privacy limits.
Washington Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
Washington has no stand-your-ground statute, but State v. Studd and State v. Redmond hold there is no duty to retreat when assaulted in a place you have a right to be. RCW 9A.16.050 covers the home.
Washington Severance Pay Laws (2026): Is Severance Required?
Washington law does not require severance, but promised severance can be enforceable as wages, and a 2025 law requires 60 days' notice before mass layoffs.
Washington Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
Understand Washington's sexting laws: criminal penalties for adults and minors, revenge porn laws, and defenses available under Washington law.
Washington Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability Under Pure Comparative Fault
Washington slip and fall law: pure comparative fault, no open-and-obvious bar, no natural-accumulation immunity, 3-year SOL, 60-day government pre-suit waiting period.
Washington Small Claims Court: $10,000 Limit, Fees and How to File
Washington small claims court hears money claims up to $10,000 for individuals and $5,000 for businesses. Learn the fees, service rules, appeals and collection.
Washington Small Estate Affidavit: $100,000 Limit and 40-Day Wait
Washington successors can collect up to $100,000 in personal property by affidavit 40 days after a death, after notice and debts are paid. Here is how it works.
Washington Smart Glasses Recording Laws (2026)
Washington requires all-party consent to record audio (RCW 9.73.030). Smart glasses: biometric law (RCW 19.375), voyeurism, penalties, and compliance tips.
Washington Social Security Disability: Rates & Wait Times
Social Security disability in Washington: a state SSP closed to new enrollees, automatic Apple Health Medicaid, approval odds, and ALJ hearing wait times.
Washington Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) Laws: How It Works (2026)
Washington calls spousal support "maintenance" under RCW 26.09.090. Courts have full discretion -- no formula -- guided by six statutory factors. A 2024 Supreme Court ruling confirmed need is not a strict prerequisite.
Washington Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)
Washington adverse possession requires 10 years under RCW 4.16.020, or 7 years with color of title. Learn how to remove squatters legally using unlawful detainer under RCW 59.12.
Washington Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Washington statute of limitations: filing deadlines for personal injury (3 yrs), contracts (3-6 yrs), debt (6 yrs), medical malpractice, and criminal cases.
Washington Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Washington surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
Washington Theft Laws: Felony Threshold, Degrees and Shoplifting (2026)
In Washington, theft over $750 is a class C felony and over $5,000 a class B felony. See theft degrees, retail theft felonies and the shoplifting civil penalty.
Washington Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
Washington Uniform Trade Secrets Act (RCW 19.108), the first UTSA state statute (1982). Learn what qualifies, the 3-year deadline, and available remedies.
Washington Unclaimed Property: How to Search & Claim Your Money (2026)
Washington holds over $2 billion in unclaimed money. Search ClaimYourCash.org for free, file a claim, or see if you already qualify for automatic payment.
Washington Unemployment Benefits 2026: $1,208 Max, How to File
Washington unemployment pays $383 to $1,208 a week on claims opened since July 5, 2026, for up to 26 weeks. See the 680-hour rule, quits, work search and appeals.
Washington Video Recording Laws: Filming, Surveillance, and Consent Rules (2026)
Washington video recording laws allow silent video in public but require all-party consent for audio. Learn surveillance rules, voyeurism penalties, and consent requirements.
Washington Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and Protections (2026)
Washington voyeurism laws under RCW 9A.44.115 criminalize hidden cameras and unauthorized recording in private places. Learn the felony and misdemeanor penalties.
Washington Warrant Search: How to Check If You Have a Warrant (2026)
Washington's warrant search has real gaps: King/Pierce County are off Odyssey and the main case site skips active warrants. Full guide.
Washington Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report
Learn about Washington state whistleblower laws, including the State Employee Protection Act, Medicaid False Claims Act qui tam provisions, and filing deadlines.