Office of Environmental Health and Safety Fee Rulemaking

What’s Happening?

The Department of Health (department) is considering amending fees for all programs within the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to cover the costs of the programs and account for the General Fund State (GFS) and foundational public health services (FPHS) funding reductions and the cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) made in the 2025-2027 state budget (ESSB 5167).

RCW 43.70.250 authorizes the Secretary of Health to establish various fees associated with licensing and regulation of professions, occupations, or businesses. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license.

In the 2025-2027 state budget, the department is experiencing COLA increases, Class and Compensation increases, GFS and FPHS reductions, and fund balance deficits.

The department has completed a financial assessment of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety programs and determined the current fees are not generating sufficient revenue to cover the cost of the programs over the biennium. 

Due to these reasons, the programs and fee sections considering fee adjustment are:

• WAC 246-205-990 for Decontamination of Illegal Drug Manufacturing or Storage Sites
• WAC 246-260-9901 for Water Recreation Facilities
• WAC 246-262-990 for Recreational Water Contact Facilities
• WACs 246-272-1000 through 6000 for Onsite Sewage Systems
• WAC 246-272-3000 for Large Onsite Sewage Systems
• WAC 246-282-990 for Commercial Shellfish
• WAC 246-358-990 for Temporary Worker Housing
• WAC 246-360-020 for Transient Accommodations
• WAC 246-360-990 for Transient Accommodations
• WAC 246-380-990 for Food Service

The department may also consider making editorial updates to align with Code Reviser’s Bill Drafting Guide.

Why?

On September 5, 2025, the Department of Health filed proposed changes amending fees for all programs within the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The proposed changes are intended to amend fees for all programs ensure program costs are adequately covered. These fees must be set at a level that covers the costs of administering each program or license.

Get Involved

Comment Period Through October 21, 2025

The ​Department of Health invites you to comment on the proposal through October 21, 2025 at midnight. A public hearing will be held on October 21, 2025 beginning at 11:00​ ​a.m. to give you an opportunity to provide oral comments.

You can register to attend the public hearing virtually. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.  

Written comments can be emailed to Zehra Siddiqui or submitted online at the department’s rules comment page. 

Please note that all comments received, whether virtually, email, or online, will be given the same consideration. We encourage you to comment in a manner that is most convenient for you. 

Proposed Rule Documents

CR-102: Proposed Rule Making with Proposed Rule Language (PDF)

OEHS Fees Economic Impact Analysis Report (Word)

Tentative Rulemaking Timeline

• July 2025 – Start rulemaking
• July 2025 – Informal comment period
• September and October 2025 – Formal comment period and public hearing
• November 2025 – Rulemaking complete

Rulemaking Files

Contacts

Zehra Siddiqui, Rules Coordinator

Jeanna Sieving, Fee Manager