Washington RV Plan Approval Delays Addressed in Senate Testimony

Washington State’s RV industry has been grappling with significant delays in the RV plan review process, creating a backlog and disrupting commerce. 

To address this issue, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) has been working with the state’s Department of Labor and Industries to implement an all-electronic plan submission process for RVs and Park Model RVs. 

RVIA Government Affairs Senior Manager Nick Rudowich recently testified in support of an amendment to the Washington RV plan approval process (House Bill 1514) that aims to make improvements to the existing system permanent, as per the News & Insights report of the RVIA.

The Challenge

As one of only two states that regulate the manufacturing of RVs, Washington requires RV manufacturers to submit model plans to the State Department of Labor and Industries. These plans must be approved before an RV can be sold to a dealer or a consumer within the state. 

However, the industry has experienced significant delays in the RV plan review process throughout 2021 and 2022 due to staffing issues at the Department of Labor and Industries’ Factory Assembled Structures Division.

The backlog of RV plans has caused disruptions in RV commerce, preventing manufacturers from purchasing the required Washington State RV insignias and shipping RVs to dealers in a timely manner. 

This has led to Washington RV dealers losing business as consumers turn to out-of-state dealers for their RV purchases.

Proposed Solution

To resolve the issue, the RV Industry Association has collaborated with the Department of Labor and Industries’ plan review division to develop an all-electronic plan submission process for RVs and Park Model RVs. 

While digital submission was initially more expensive for manufacturers than physical submission, recent fee changes have made it the more cost-effective option.

Rudowich testified in support of the amendment (Revised Code of Washington 43.22.350) at a public hearing on February 1st. He announced that RV manufacturers can now purchase insignias on submission of plans to the state, provided they have a state-approved quality control program and pay the required fees.

Moving Forward

To facilitate the transition from physical to electronic plan submissions, the RVIA will be hosting quarterly webinars in partnership with the Department of Labor and Industries. 

These educational resources aim to support the industry in navigating the new process and mitigating future delays in the plan review process.

By implementing these changes, the RV industry hopes to alleviate the backlog of RV plans and create a more efficient system for manufacturers, dealers, and consumers alike. 

With the support of key stakeholders and continued collaboration, the industry can work towards a more streamlined and effective RV plan approval process in Washington State.