RULE Washington | Category Rules | Official Guidelines

[StateGigs]

Welcome to the Washington category. This section is designed for listings and discussions related to:

• FOR HIRE – Individuals or businesses offering their services
• HIRING – Employers looking to fill positions
• SERVICES – Professional, trade, or local service offerings
• LOCAL EVENT – Community gatherings, announcements, and public events

All posts, replies, and content shared within this category must strictly comply with:

1. Applicable Washington State Laws
2. Washington Labor & Employment Regulations
3. Washington Business & Commerce Codes
4. Google's Content & User-Contributed Policies

Our Commitment to Compliance​

We take legal and policy compliance seriously. Our platform is committed to operating in full accordance with Washington state regulations, Washington labor laws, and Google's community standards. Washington has a comprehensive legal framework governing employment, business practices, and public postings, and we are dedicated to upholding them.

While we strive to keep our rules and references as accurate and up-to-date as possible, please note that laws and policies can change. The information and links provided here serve as our primary guidance and roadmap, but they may not reflect the absolute latest amendments.

We believe in transparency and accountability – for both our users and our team.

Official References​

To ensure clarity and eliminate excuses like "I didn't know" or "I couldn't find it," we strongly encourage all users to review the official sources directly:

Reference	Official Link
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) – Search all state laws, including labor, business, and commerce codes	https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) – Official compilation of all state agency regulations and administrative rules	https://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) – Labor law compliance, wage and hour information, contractor registration, and workplace safety	https://www.lni.wa.gov/
L&I – Minimum Wage Information – Official minimum wage rates and compliance information	https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/
L&I – Contractor Registration – Contractor licensing, bonding, and insurance requirements	https://www.lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/
Washington Secretary of State – Business Services – Business entity filings, licensing, and compliance	https://www.sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities
Washington State Legislature – Bills & Laws – Track legislation, session laws, and the state constitution	https://leg.wa.gov/bills-meetings-and-session/bills/
Google User-Contributed Content Policy – Spam, harassment, illegal content, and community standards	https://support.google.com/googleshopping/answer/10012515
Google Terms of Service – General platform rules and enforcement	https://policies.google.com/terms

These are the foundational documents we use to evaluate content and enforce our rules.

Washington Labor & Employment Laws – What You Need to Know​

Washington law sets clear standards for employers, workers, and service providers. All hiring and service posts must comply with the following:

• Minimum Wage: Washington has the nation's highest state minimum wage at $17.13 per hour effective January 1, 2026. This represents a 2.8% increase from the 2025 rate of $16.66. Important: Washington does NOT allow a tip credit – tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage of $17.13/hour directly by the employer. Employers may pay 85% of the minimum wage ($14.56 per hour) to workers ages 14–15. Local governments may set higher minimum wages – cities with higher rates include Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien, and unincorporated King County.
• Overtime Pay: Under RCW § 49.46.130, non-exempt employees are entitled to 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. The minimum salary threshold for exempt executive, administrative, and professional employees is tied to the CPI-W and increases annually. Effective January 1, 2026, exempt employees must earn at least $80,168.40 per year (2.25x the state minimum wage). This threshold will continue increasing through 2028, when it reaches 2.5x the minimum wage.
• Non-Compete Agreement Thresholds: Washington strictly limits non-compete agreements. Effective 2026, non-competes are only enforceable if workers earn above the following thresholds: employees must earn at least $126,858.83 per year, and independent contractors must earn at least $317,147.09 per year. Non-compete agreements below these income levels are void and unenforceable.
• Worker Classification: Washington enforces strict worker classification standards. The state follows a multi-factor test to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor (1099) to avoid paying unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, or benefits carries severe penalties. The Department of Labor & Industries and the Attorney General's Office enforce classification standards.
• Contractor Registration & Licensing:Washington requires ALL construction contractors to register with L&I. There are two classifications:
  • General Contractors: Can perform most types of construction work and hire subcontractors. Required bond: $30,000. Required liability insurance: $200,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage (or $250,000 combined single limit).
  • Specialty Contractors: Can only perform work in their registered specialty and cannot hire subcontractors. Required bond: $15,000.
  Contractors working with plumbing, electrical, elevators, mobile home installation, boilers, and asbestos have additional education, examination, and licensing requirements. L&I regulates 63 specialties including roofing, painting, HVAC, tree removal, and mobile home set-up. Working without registration carries substantial penalties and fines. Application fee: $141.10.
• Public Works Responsibility Criteria (Effective July 1, 2026): Under HB 1549, bidders on public works projects must meet enhanced responsibility criteria, including having completed at least one public works project within the previous three years without certain citations, or having designated personnel trained on public works and prevailing wage requirements. Bidders must also not have been found in willful violation of wage and hour laws (chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52 RCW) within the preceding three years.
• Workplace Rights: Washington law prohibits discrimination, retaliation, and unfair labor practices. Workers have the right to file complaints with the Department of Labor & Industries, the Washington State Human Rights Commission, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
• Notice Requirements: Employers must display required labor law postings in the workplace, including information about workers' compensation, minimum wage, unemployment compensation, and anti-discrimination protections.

Enforcement & Penalties​

To maintain a safe, lawful, and respectful environment for everyone, we enforce the following:

• All posts and comments must comply with Washington state law, Washington labor regulations, Washington business codes, and Google policies.
• If a post or reply is reportedand found to be in violation, we will:
  1. Investigate promptly – Our team reviews every report in a timely manner.
  2. Take immediate action – Content that violates our rules will be removed, edited, or hidden without prior notice.
  3. Apply penalties– The responsible user will receive:
     • A formal warning or notification
     • Penalty points added to their account
     • Repeat or severe violations may result in temporary suspension or permanent ban from the platform.

We reserve the right to take action against any content we deem inappropriate, even if it is not explicitly listed in this guideline.

Note: While our moderation team strives for consistency, all enforcement actions and interpretations of these rules are at the sole discretion of StateGigs Administration. Our decisions are final.

User Responsibility​

By posting in this Washington category, you agree that:

• You have reviewed and understood the referenced laws and policies.
• You are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of your content.
• You will not use ignorance of the rules as a defense if a violation occurs.
• If you are offering professional services, you hold any required Washington state licenses (L&I contractor registration, specialty trade certifications, or local permits) and will provide proof upon request.

We are not legal experts, and this guidance is provided in good faith to help our community stay compliant. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your posts meet all current legal and policy requirements.

Questions or Concerns?​

If you're unsure whether your post complies, or if you need clarification on any rule, feel free to reach out to our moderation team before posting. We're here to help – but we're also here to enforce.

Disclaimer – Governing Law​

This platform and its operations are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the state-specific category in which content is posted. By using this site, you agree that any legal disputes or claims arising from your use of the platform shall be resolved exclusively under Delaware jurisdiction. While we strive to align our category rules with applicable local laws, our governing framework remains rooted in Delaware law, and all enforcement actions are taken accordingly.

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Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us keep this platform lawful, professional, and fair for everyone.

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StateGigs Administration