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Public Rules

Public Rules

It is the purpose of public rules to implement policies contained in legislation, such as the King County Code (KCC) adopted by the King County Council.

KCC chapter 2.98 gives county agencies general authority to promulgate rules and sets out the minimum procedural requirements for promulgation. Once promulgated, public rules have the force and effect of law.

KCC 2.98.010 states that "the rule making process shall consist of the establishment of formal procedures through which ordinances adopted by the King County Council and enacted by the county executive are translated into sets of specific requirements to be carried out and enforced by county agencies."

When the Department of Local Services intends to adopt public rules, a Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules is published in King County's officially designated paper of record, the Seattle Times, and is posted on the Permitting web site.

Any member of the public may comment on the proposed public rules within a 45-day comment period. The Department may then adopt the public rules, which become effective after thirty days. If substantive changes are made in response to the public comments received, then the adoption process, including the public comment period, must start over.

For additional information, please contact Permitting at 206-296-6600 or by email, DPERWebinquiries@kingcounty.gov.

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