STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
1112 SE Quince Street • PO Box 47890
Olympia, Washington 98504-7890
Tel: (360)236-4010 • FAX (360)586-7424
TDD Relay Service: 1-800-833-6388
April 3, 2002
Dear Mr. Korsky:
This is to reply to your letter of March 22, 2002, requesting information on Washington State laws and regulations that require the public to wear shoes or footwear in public establishments, such as restaurants. In general, the "dress code" required in various private and public facilities is based on individual facility or company rules, and not due to state or local regulations.
As far as we can determine, there are no Washington State laws or regulations that address this issue on a broad scale. For instance, Washington's food service regulations, Chapter 246-215 Washington Administrative Code, does not contain language requiring footwear by customers. The only references to this topic are within a few regulations that govern specific facilities (e.g., in food service operations at certain colleges).
Please note, however, that cities and towns within Washington State may have local ordinances related to this issue. Please contact them if you have a question about enforcement within a particular locality.
If you have further questions, please contact Dave Gifford, Food Program Manager, at (360)236-3074.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Mary C. Selecky
Secretarycc: Dave Gifford