Rule making

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) offers several ways to participate in and comment on proposed rules.

Submit your comments on WDFW's rule-making activities

WDFW's rule-making activity is governed by state laws, including:

  • Emergency rule changes

    These are critical rule changes that require immediate action and are good for 120 days or less.

  • Current rule-making activity

    Learn more about WDFW's current rule-making activities.

  • Permanent rules adopted by WDFW

    These rules have gone through the rule development process and have been adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission or WDFW's Director. 

  • Search rule-making activity

    Search current, permanent, and emergency rule-making activity from 2020 to the present.

  • Withdrawn rule making

    These rules have either been formally withdrawn or not adopted and filed with the Code Reviser within 180 days of the publication of the rule proposal.

  • Semi-annual rule-making agenda

    Six month calendar of proposed rule-making

  • North of Falcon Process

    Information about meetings, comments, and other background useful to rule making for North of Falcon fisheries.  

  • Columbia River Compact Process

    Information about meetings, comments, and other background useful to rule making for Columbia River Compact fisheries.  

  • How to participate

    The public is offered opportunities to comment as part of WDFW's rule-making process.

  • Rule-making glossary

    Some phrases and terms commonly used during the rule-making process.

  • Current rule-making petitions

    Read petitions awaiting consideration by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission requesting the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule.

  • Archived rule-making petitions

    These petitions have  been decided by either the Fish and Wildlife Commission or WDFW's Director or have been withdrawn by the petitioner.