Washington § 88.02.550 - Registration and display of registration number and decal required — Exemptions.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 88.02.550 — Registration and display of registration number and decal required — Exemptions., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 88.02.550. Registration and display of registration number and decal required — Exemptions.

(1) Except as provided in this chapter, a person may not own or operate any vessel, including a rented vessel, on the waters of this state unless the vessel has been registered and displays a registration number and a valid decal in accordance with this chapter. A vessel that has or is required to have a valid marine document as a vessel of the United States is only required to display a valid decal.
(2) A vessel numbered in this state under the federal boat safety act of 1971 (85 Stat. 213, 46 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.) is not required to be registered under this chapter until the certificate of number issued for the vessel under the federal boat safety act expires. When registering under this chapter, this type of vessel is subject to the amount of excise tax due under chapter 82.49 RCW that would have been due under chapter 82.49 RCW if the vessel had been registered at the time otherwise required under this chapter.
[ 2013 c 291 s 31; 2010 c 161 s 1017; 2006 c 29 s 1; 1985 c 267 s 1; 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 s 47; 1983 c 7 s 15. Formerly RCW 88.02.020.]

Notes

Effective date—Intent—Legislation to reconcile chapter 161, Laws of 2010 and other amendments made during the 2010 legislative session—2010 c 161: See notes following RCW 46.04.013.
Construction—Severability—Effective dates—1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: See notes following RCW 82.04.255.

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

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What does Revised Code of Washington § 88.02.550 cover?

Section 88.02.550 ("Registration and display of registration number and decal required — Exemptions.") 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 § 88.02.550" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

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Sources & Verification

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