Rules Development

Expected Submission Review Time is 75 days (More about our timeline)

What does this mean for my project? For planning purposes it’s important to understand that this estimate of review time is not the time it takes to review an entire project or receive a facility license.  A “submission” means a distinct set of information (typically plans, specifications, programs, etc.) given to construction review to analyze for compliance with state rules. After a submission is reviewed, there will often be comments that must be responded to and drawings that must be revised. After your design team revises plans and responds to comments, they submit those revisions as a new "submission." A project will often take several submissions to complete.

The number above is a rough estimate for an average submission. Submissions for larger projects will take longer. The construction review program experiences significant shifts in workload and bandwidth, so it’s always best to contact your assigned plan reviewer to get a more accurate read on how long a particular review may take.

Proposed rule changes

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Recently Adopted Rules

Rules adopted

  • Effective July 5, 2016: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adopted the 2012 version of NFPA 101 and NFPA 99. This is a federal rule change that the Department is following.
  • July 2015: Revised Chapter 246-320 WAC – Hospitals Licensing Regulations (construction standards only).
  • June 2012: Revised Construction Review Services (review fees only) – Chapter 246-314-990 WAC
  • December 2010: Revised Construction Review Services – Chapter 246-314 WAC
  • August 2009: Revised Construction Review Services (definitions for adoption of ambulatory surgical facility rules only) – Chapter 246-314 WAC
  • May 2009: New Ambulatory Surgery Facility Licensing Regulations – Chapter 246-330 WAC.

See the Washington State Department of Health rules website for more information on adopted rules within Title 246 WAC.

Quick Links

Applying to CRS | Applications | Certificate of Need (CoN) | Desk Reference Manuals | Local AHJ (courtesy of WABO) | Plan Review Fee