Frequently Asked Questions

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General

What is migrant farmworker and temporary worker housing?

Temporary worker housing is used to house migrant farmworker employees that:

• Works intermittently at one or more agricultural worksites.
• Resides at sites in DOH licensed temporary worker housing units instead of their primary residence; and
• Doesn't reside at the same worksite year-round.

Temporary worker housing is the terminology used in the law, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the rules, Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

Licensing and Fees

Is a certificate of occupancy required? 

Yes. A certificate of occupancy (CoO) or certificate of completion is required per WAC 246-358 (2)(c) under the following circumstances:

• New TWH facilities (including existing facilities converted to a TWH)
• Change of ownership
• Remodeling or adding additional units that require construction and permits.

How do you obtain a certificate of occupancy?

• If the building or structure for a TWH is located inside city limits or a rural worksite (outside city limits) please contact your local building department.
• If the building or structure for a TWH is outside city limits or rural worksite, please contact DOH Construction Review Services.
• If a CoO is not available for the TWH building or structure, then another form of approval by your local building department or CRS would be required to indicate the facility is "permitted for occupancy" per WAC 246-358-025(2)(c )

How do I increase the number of occupants or units in an existing and licensed TWH facility?

Submit amended TWH application. To increase the number of occupants in an existing TWH you must submit a TWH application and check the box “AMENDED” and additional fees based on the number of occupants you want to increase. 

We will then assess whether an initial inspection is required or not. If the TWH was remodeled to increase square footage, such as removing load bearing walls, we will need approval from CRS and/or local building department. 

How long does it take to schedule an inspection for a renewal?

Prior to scheduling your pre-occupancy inspection, the last occupancy inspection shall have no outstanding critical violations. Also, all required documents with your renewal form must be completed, accurate, signed and submitted. 

Once accepted, an Acknowledgement letter with No Deficiencies will be emailed to the operator with inspector’s email for scheduling the inspection

Can I combine my TWH units under one TWH license?

Yes. If you have multiple units on the same parcel or adjacent parcel or property, we can combine units and number of occupants under the same license number to make it efficient. 

Please contact our licensing support specialist for further questions.

How soon can I expect to receive my TWH license after we apply for a new TWH?

The Department requires a minimum of 45 days between the application submission and start date of operation. Also, we cannot release your TWH license until all critical violations have been corrected.  

Once we receive those corrections, your license will be emailed within 5 business days.

Housing

Do I need to always keep a unit ready for isolation?

No. However, you should have a plan in the event a worker is required to be isolated or quarantined if necessary and required by local health authorities. 

This plan should be outlined in your Communicable Disease Prevention and Response Plan.

How do I apply for a variance?

Go to the variance section under RULES and REGULATIONS tab for directions and a link to the variance application

Do I need a laundry facility onsite for occupants to use?

Yes. As required per WAC 246-358-090 a laundry facility shall be provided for workers. You need at least one laundry tray or tub or one mechanical washing machine for every thirty workers. Mechanical drying machines are not required but there shall be adequate facilities for workers to dry their clothes. If weather conditions prevent cloths from drying outdoors, provide other adequate facilities.

What is a family shelter?

A family shelter is defined as a housing unit with sleeping facilities for up to 15 occupants that may include toilet or cooking facilities and for their sole use of those residing at the facility. Total occupants allowed in a family shelter includes all members of a family regardless of age.

Can I use a tent for housing farm workers for the entire season?

No. Per WAC 246-358-025(10)(b)- Tents are only allowed for cherry harvest camps and shall only be occupied one week before cherry harvest, during harvest, and one week after cherry harvest.

Is a cooking facility at a TWH required?

Yes. Cooking facilities are required for occupants at their TWH. If a cooking facility is not located at the TWH, the TWH operator shall provide documentation summarizing how occupants have access to a central cooking facility to prepare their meals or where meals are prepared for the occupants. This includes occupant transportation to and from a central cooking facility or other alternative and approved documented method, such as a third-party vendor (i.e. caterer)

Does DOH offer visits to a TWH for health and safety walk-thru or questions?

Yes.  We offer technical assistance or consultation if requested by an existing or potential TWH operator.  Availability is limited during peak renewal season from January through March.

 How many toilets, sinks and showers will we need for our TWH?

This ratio is based on the occupancy per unit and total square footage. Refer to the chart below for the number of plumbing fixtures required per total occupants and type of facility.

Floor Space Requirements	Sleeping room only			Sleeping room with kitchen
	50 square feet per occupant			100 square feet per temporary worker
Facility Requirement	Toilets		Handwash Sinks		Bathtubs or Showers
	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Common Facility, Single Sex	2 minimum, 1 per 15 occupants	2 minimum, 1 per 15 occupants	2 minimum, 1 per 6 occupants	2 minimum, 1 per 6 occupants	1 per 10 occupants	1 per 10 occupants
Common Facility, Male/Female	1 minimum, 1 per 15 occupants	1 minimum, 1 per 15 occupants	1 per 6 occupants	1 per 6 occupants	1 per 10 occupants	1 per 10 occupants
Each Family Shelter	1, if provided		1		1, if provided

What is the TWH Management Plan? (formerly Camp Management Plan)

Each farm worker housing shall have a TWH management plan visibly posted. The plan assures that your housing is operated in a safe and secure manner and within its approved occupancy capacity. TWH management plan shall be available in a language the occupants can understand. Provide individual copies of the plan to each occupant or post the plan in a central or common area. For licensing purposes, a copy of the TWH management is required. Updates to the plan shall be submitted to the Department of Health within 10 days.

What is required to house farm workers in hotels?

Effective November 2022, hotels were approved by the Federal Department of Labor to house farm workers. If a hotel has an interest to use their rooms for TWH, those rooms shall meet WAC 246-358 health and safety requirements in addition to other TWH requirements if applicable. Prior to submitting a TWH application to DOH, we require the assigned DOH inspector to meet the hotel licensee to discuss requirements and review the proposed rooms. If the licensee is still interested, they may apply with DOH with all the required documentation.  

Can I use a private well to provide water to the TWH?

No. Per WAC 246-358-055, the TWH operator shall provide safe and reliable supply of drinking water from an approved Group A or Group B public water system meeting the requirements of DOH Office of Drinking Water or local board of health rules. 

How can I locate my local building official? 

Local building departments or building officials can be found by going to this link.

What does a habitable room mean?

A habitable room is defined as a room or space in a structure used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathing and toilet facilities, closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable rooms. These latter rooms or areas are not included with overall square footage when determining maximum occupancy for the TWH.

How do I convert an existing building or structure into a TWH facility?

Contact Construction Review Services at 360-236-2944, email CRS@doh.wa.gov or visit their DOH website Construction Review Services for information about their plan review process and copy of their applicant.

Inspection

What can I do to prepare for my next TWH inspection?

There are several suggestions you can take to prepare for a TWH inspection, which includes but not limited to the following:

• Obtain a copy of our Temporary Worker Housing Self-Inspection Checklist.     
• Review your last TWH inspection results and correct any outstanding violations.
• Keep a copy of WAC 246-358 readily available.
• Walk-thru your TWH facilities to identify any potential violations.
• Contact your assigned inspector for any questions or interpretations.

Are TWH inspections announced or unannounced?

TWH inspections are announced and scheduled with the TWH operator or representative. Complaint investigations are unannounced.

How do I submit my corrections for any observed violations to the inspector?

Corrections for non-critical and critical violations may be submitted to the inspector by email (preferred) or text. This may include missing documentation, videos and/or photos. Depending on the severity of the violations observed, it is the inspector’s decision whether the follow-up to violations is verified digitally or in-person.   

What do I need to keep posted on the wall for occupants to read?

The following documents shall be posted in a common area so they can be seen by all occupants in the TWH. If there is no common area, then provide in each habitable area.

• Temporary Worker Housing Management Plan (both English and language commonly spoken by the occupants)
• Approved TWH variance(s)
• TWH DOH License
• Washington State Labor and Industry -Health and Safety Policy (this is a separate policy than the Communicable Disease Prevention and Response Plan)

Do I need a fire extinguisher in the TWH?

Yes. If the unit does not have a second means of emergency egress, an operator shall provide properly working fire extinguishers in units where occupants sleep.

Can I use another type of air filter rating other than MERV 13?

Yes. If the mechanical ventilation system is meant to have an air filter, any air filter equivalent to MERV 13 is acceptable.

Note: If the mechanical ventilation system does not support a MERV 13 or equivalent, then use the highest MERV rating filter supported by the mechanical ventilation system. Provide a maintenance log when filters are changed, or when the mechanical ventilation system is serviced.

Can we use inflatable beds for worker bedding?

Yes. Although not recommended, inflatable beds have been accepted as beds.  These types of beds shall be maintained in good condition and at least 12 inches off the floor.  In the event there is a leak, there should be a patch kit readily available and a method to pump air into the inflatable bed. 

What space in a TWH unit is counted as square footage for max occupancy?

Habitable space. In WAC 246-358, a habitable room is defined as a room or space in a structure used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathing and toilet facilities, closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable rooms. These latter rooms or areas are not included with overall square footage when determining maximum occupancy for the TWH.  

What is the maximum door or entry opening size from the sleeping area to cooking facility to determine occupancy between 50 or 100 square feet?

If the opening is 60 inches or less, then 50 square feet per occupant. If the opening is more than 60 inches, it is 100 square feet per occupant.

Does every occupant require their own separate bed?

Yes. Every occupant will have their own individual bed assigned to them. There are no sharing beds with different work shifts for occupants.

What happens after I pass my pre-occupancy inspection?

If there were no critical violations cited or they were corrected during the inspection, the inspector will recommend issuing a license. After 2-3 days, the licensing support specialist and supervisor will do a final check for discrepancies or missing items and will release the license.

Can we build our own bunk beds?

Yes. Although not recommended, we have allowed some homemade bunk beds. No triple bunks. The bunk frame shall be in sound condition, supported, no protruding nails, solid wood, and bottom mattress 12 inches off the floor.  Although these beds are normally checked during our inspections for any defect or maintenance issue, they should be assessed by the TWH operator periodically since there is no guarantee on their weight limit or longevity unless they were designed and approved structurally by a licensed engineer and built by a licensed contractor. 

I have a 2-story facility, do I need a carbon monoxide detector on each floor? 

Yes. Each floor requires a carbon monoxide detector. Additionally, any sleeping room adjacent to a room with fuel burning appliances requires a carbon monoxide detector.

Do I need to provide a landline phone system for TWH?

You are required to have a plan or reliable method to contact a first aid trained person or emergency services. This can include a land line phone system or cell phones. If using only cell phones, make sure that cell phone service is readily available and functional to ensure quick access to emergency services when needed.

Contact

If you have further questions, please email us at Housing@doh.wa.gov or call 360-236-3393.