Regulations & Permits

Use this portal to filter and search for all of our regulatory information.

We oversee many state and federal laws designed to protect Washington's land, air, and water. See our laws, rules, & rulemaking page for more information about our current rules and rulemaking.

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Dam permits

Construction or reservoir permits may be required for your project.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/dam-safety-permit

Water right permits

Use a pre-application request form before applying for a new or updated water right.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/water-right-permits

Water use compliance and enforcement

Enforcing water use laws reduces conflict among competing water users and protects the resource.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/water-use-compliance

Water rights and dam safety policies, procedures & guidance

Policies, procedures & guidance guide our water right and dam safety work

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/plans-policies/water-rights-dam-safety-policies-procedures-guidan

WAC 173-166 Emergency drought relief

This is the rulemaking page for Chapter 173-166 WAC.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking/wac-173-166

Cannabis licensing and the environment

Environmental permits may be required for cannabis growers and processors.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-cannabis-businesses

Frequently flooded areas: Critical Areas Ordinance

Frequently flooded areas are covered by Critical Areas Ordinances promoting safety from floods.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/guidance-for-floodplains-critical-areas-ordinanc

Underground injection control well registration requirements & information

Get Underground Injection Control (UIC) well registration requirements and information.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/uic-registration-requirements-information

Heat pump & air conditioning return flow UIC wells

Groundwater circulated through a heat pump/air conditioning (HAC) system has to meet requirements.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/underground-injection-control-program/heat-pump-air-conditioning-return-flow-wells

401 Water Quality Certifications for federal facilities

EPA writes NPDES permits for federal facilities. We issue water quality certifications for permits.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification/certifications-for-npdes-federal-permits

Clean Water Act: Section 401 Water Quality Certifications

Under the Clean Water Act, we help make sure projects, actions, and activities don't harm state waters.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/401-water-quality-certification

Industrial facility permits and regulation

We regulate air, water, and waste for most of the large industrial facilities in Washington.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/permits-certifications/industrial-facilities-permits

Fish consumption rate: Technical support document

This 2013 technical support document estimates how much fish Washington residents are eating.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/guidance-technical-assistance/fish-consumption-rates-technical-support

Overview of compliance & enforcement at Ecology

View the compliance and enforcement authority we have, and what actions we have recently taken.

https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/compliance-enforcement/overview-of-compliance-enforcement