What is the purpose of this plant sale?
The Plant Sale Permit is basically an exemption to the nursery licensing requirements. It allows nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, conservation districts, and garden clubs to conduct plant sales without obtaining a license. WSDA reviews the applicant's proposed sale of plants in case any inspections need to be conducted to ensure no quarantined plants are for sale.
Who issues this plant sale?
Washington State Department of Agriculture
What activities require this plant sale?
It allows nonprofit organizations, conservation districts, and clubs to conduct plant sales without obtaining a license. Educational Organizations are also allowed to obtain this permit but are not subject to the same limitations.
Where can I get the application for this plant sale?
The application is called '
Plant Sale Permit Application' is online and can be accessed at
https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/plant-permits-and-certification-programs/plant-sale-permits.
Is the decision on my plant sale dependent on anything besides the information in my application?
Under the permit, the organization may not conduct more than three (3) sales per year and sales may not be for more than four (4) consecutive days. Educational institutions are not subject to this limitation. Plant sales may require a WSDA nursery inspector to verify that a permit is issued and to inspect plants to make sure the stock is free of disease and pests. Inspectors also check the stock against the quarantine list and noxious weed list. The permit is valid only for the dates of the sale(s) specified on the application.
How long will it take to review my application?
Your permit will be completed and available to print from PISCES after payment is received by Plant Services program staff. If your application is submitted far in advance of your sale, this will of course lengthen the permit processing time.
The average permit application completion time in 2017 was 6.6 days. The average permit decision time in 2017 was 1.1 days.
Where do I submit my application?
Applications can be submitted online via PISCES:
https://fortress.wa.gov/agr/pisces/PlantServices/Login/Login.aspx. Payments cannot be currently processed online, so please call with your payment or mail it to:
WSDA Plant Services Revenue
PO Box 42591
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
If you need assistance with the application, please contact Plant Services directly at (360) 902-1874.
How long is my plant sale valid?
The permit is valid for only the dates of the sale specified on the application.
What is the appeal process for the plant sale?
Upon notice by the Department to deny or revoke a permit, a person may request a hearing under chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedures Act.
Notes / Comments:
Applications can be submitted online via a PISCES account:
https://fortress.wa.gov/agr/pisces/PlantServices/Login/Login.aspx.
Permit Timeliness Results
Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.
All permits submitted for reporting were entered into this Regulatory Handbook. Here are the results of the performance data:
Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)Average number of days from Receipt to Complete: 7Maximum number of days from Receipt to Complete: 170Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)Average number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 3Maximum number of days from Complete Application to Decision: 29(Summary results based on 86 submittals in 2023)
Where can I get permitting assistance?
Web page URL:
https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/summary-descriptions/plant-sale-permitHelpdesk phone: (360) 902-1874
Subject matter expert phone: (360) 902-1874
Subject matter expert email:
nursery@agr.wa.gov