Inspection by department — Access to regulated business or entity — Administrative inspection warrant.

RCW 69.30.120

in effect

The department may enter and inspect any shellfish growing area or establishment for the purposes of determining compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. The department may inspect all shellfish, all permits, all certificates of approval and all records. During such inspections the department shall have free and unimpeded access to all buildings, yards, warehouses, storage and transportation facilities, vehicles, and other places reasonably considered to be or to have been part of the regulated business or entity, to all ledgers, books, accounts, memorandums, or records required to be compiled or maintained under this chapter or under rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, and to any products, components, or other materials reasonably believed to be or to have been used, processed, or produced by or in connection with the regulated business or activity. In connection with such inspections the department may take such samples or specimens as may be reasonably necessary to determine whether there exists a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. Inspection of establishments may be conducted between eight a.m. and five p.m. on any weekday that is not a legal holiday, during any time the regulated business or entity has established as its usual business hours, at any time the regulated business or entity is open for business or is otherwise in operation, and at any other time with the consent of the owner or authorized agent of the regulated business or entity. The department may apply for an administrative inspection warrant to a court of competent jurisdiction and an administrative inspection warrant may issue where: (1) The department has attempted an inspection under this chapter and access to all or part of the regulated business or entity has been actually or constructively denied; or (2) There is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter or of rules adopted under this chapter is occurring or has occurred. The department may enter and inspect any shellfish growing area or establishment for the purposes of determining compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. The department may inspect all shellfish, all permits, all certificates of approval and all records. During such inspections the department shall have free and unimpeded access to all buildings, yards, warehouses, storage and transportation facilities, vehicles, and other places reasonably considered to be or to have been part of the regulated business or entity, to all ledgers, books, accounts, memorandums, or records required to be compiled or maintained under this chapter or under rules adopted pursuant to this chapter, and to any products, components, or other materials reasonably believed to be or to have been used, processed, or produced by or in connection with the regulated business or activity. In connection with such inspections the department may take such samples or specimens as may be reasonably necessary to determine whether there exists a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. Inspection of establishments may be conducted between eight a.m. and five p.m. on any weekday that is not a legal holiday, during any time the regulated business or entity has established as its usual business hours, at any time the regulated business or entity is open for business or is otherwise in operation, and at any other time with the consent of the owner or authorized agent of the regulated business or entity. The department may apply for an administrative inspection warrant to a court of competent jurisdiction and an administrative inspection warrant may issue where: (1) The department has attempted an inspection under this chapter and access to all or part of the regulated business or entity has been actually or constructively denied; or (2) There is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter or of rules adopted under this chapter is occurring or has occurred.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=69.30&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026