Is it legal to own a pet armadillo?
Permit required
Washington doesn't restrict owning one, but bringing an armadillo into the state needs an entry permit.
WA · State hub
Washington
Every QuirkMaps topic for Washington, grouped by category. Each answer links to the official source it comes from.
Exotic pets
Vehicles
Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Sunday sales allowed
Washington has no state law that stops licensed dealers from selling cars on Sunday.
Do adults have to wear motorcycle helmets?
All riders
Washington requires every motorcycle, motor-driven cycle and moped rider to wear a helmet, regardless of age.
Do you need a front license plate?
Front and rear plates
Washington issues two plates for ordinary cars and requires them on the front and rear.
Is it legal to pump your own gas?
Self-serve allowed
Washington allows self-service gas; its state fire code adopts the International Fire Code, which permits self-service stations.
Is it legal to put a train horn on a car?
Allowed with limits
Washington says no horn may make an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle, and bans sirens, whistles and bells on ordinary vehicles.
Is there an annual vehicle safety inspection?
No safety inspection
Washington does not require safety inspections of private passenger cars, and its emissions testing program ended in 2020.
Home & property
Are fireworks legal?
Aerial fireworks allowed
Washington allows consumer fireworks including small aerial devices, but bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, salutes and chasers.
Food & drink
Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Allowed with limits
Washington allows happy hours, but bans two-for-one style deals and drink prices below the licensee's cost.
Is there a bottle deposit?
No bottle deposit
Washington has no bottle deposit law; a 2025 recycling law only studies one and plans for a possible future system.
Where can you buy liquor?
Private licensed stores
Washington sells liquor through private licensed stores, mostly large retailers; the state left the liquor business after a 2011 ballot initiative.
Time & calendar
Does the state observe daylight saving time?
Observes DST, law to go year-round
Washington observes daylight saving time and has a 2019 law to stay on it all year once Congress allows it.
Money & taxes
Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
Washington exempts groceries from its state sales tax. Prepared food, soft drinks, bottled water and dietary supplements are taxed.
Does the state have a lottery?
Has a state lottery
Yes. Washington has a state lottery, created in 1982 and run by the state lottery commission.
Does the state have a sales-tax-free weekend?
No tax-free period
Washington has a 6.5% state sales tax but no sales tax holiday.
Voting & elections
Do you need an ID to vote?
No ID document required
Washington votes mostly by mail; in-person voters at a voting center may sign a declaration instead of showing ID.