Washington Revised Code Title 47. Public Highways and Transportation § 47.44.060. Penalties

(1) Any person, firm, or corporation who constructs or maintains on, over, across, or along any state highway any water pipe, flume, gas pipe, telegraph, telephone, electric light, or power lines, or tram or railway, or any other such facilities, without having first obtained and having at all times in full force and effect a franchise or permit to do so in the manner provided by law is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of violation is a separate and distinct offense.

(2) Any person, firm, or corporation who constructs or maintains on, over, across, or along any state highway any water pipe, flume, gas pipe, telegraph, telephone, electric light or power lines, or tram or railway, or any other such facilities, without having first obtained and having at all times in full force and effect a franchise or permit to do so in the manner provided by law is liable for a civil penalty of one hundred dollars per calendar day beginning forty-five days from the date notice is given and until application is made for a franchise or permit or until the facility is removed as required by notice. The state shall give notice by certified mail that a franchise or permit is required or the facility must be removed and shall include in the notice sufficient information to identify the portion of right-of-way in question. Notice is effective upon delivery.

(3) If a person, firm or corporation does not apply for a permit or franchise within forty-five days of notice given in accordance with subsection (2) of this section or the state determines that the facility constructed or maintained without a permit or franchise would not be granted a permit or franchise, the state may order the facility to be removed within such time period as the state may specify. If the facility is not removed, the state, in addition to any other remedy, may remove the facility at the expense of the owner.