Washington § 17.21.220 - Application of chapter to governmental entities — Public operator license required — Exemption — Liability.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 17.21.220 — Application of chapter to governmental entities — Public operator license required — Exemption — Liability., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 17.21.220. Application of chapter to governmental entities — Public operator license required — Exemption — Liability.

(1) All state agencies, municipal corporations, and public utilities or any other governmental agencies are subject to this chapter and its rules.
(2) It is unlawful for any employee of a state agency, municipal corporation, public utility, or any other government agency to use or to supervise the use of any restricted use pesticide, or any pesticide by means of an apparatus, without having obtained a public operator license from the director. Application for a public operator license must be accompanied by a fee of forty-three dollars. The fee does not apply to public operators licensed and working in the health vector field. The public operator license is valid only when the operator is acting as an employee of a government agency.
(3) The jurisdictional health officer or his or her duly authorized representative is exempt from this licensing provision when applying pesticides that are not restricted use pesticides to control pests other than weeds.
(4) Agencies, municipal corporations, and public utilities are subject to legal recourse by any person damaged by such application of any pesticide, and action may be brought in the county where the damage or some part of the damage occurred.
[ 2021 c 244 s 13; 2008 c 285 s 26; 1997 c 242 s 17; 1994 c 283 s 25; 1993 sp.s. c 19 s 9; 1991 c 109 s 37; 1989 c 380 s 53; 1986 c 203 s 11; 1981 c 297 s 24; 1971 ex.s. c 191 s 7; 1967 c 177 s 13; 1961 c 249 s 22.]

Notes

Effective date—2021 c 244: See note following RCW 15.58.070.
Effective date—2008 c 285 ss 15-26: See note following RCW 15.58.070.
Intent—Captions not law—2008 c 285: See notes following RCW 43.22.434.
Effective date—1997 c 242: See note following RCW 15.58.070.
Severability—1981 c 297: See note following RCW 15.36.201.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 17.21.220

What does Revised Code of Washington § 17.21.220 cover?

Section 17.21.220 ("Application of chapter to governmental entities — Public operator license required — Exemption — Liability.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 17.21.220" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

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Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

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