Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1987 NO. 24 >

The seat of government is the city of Olympia as it existed in 1890.  All state executive offices must be located at the seat of government, i.e. , in, within, near, or in close proximity to the city of Olympia as it existed in 1890.   The agency head and core administrative functions must be located at the seat of government.  Branch offices may be located away from the seat of government.   An agency head and core administrative functions may be located other than at the seat of government on a temporary basis.

AGO 1951 NO. 444 >

State departments which derive their present status from the Administrative Code are required to maintain their principal offices in the State Capital.  This requirement applies to the Department of Public Institutions, Health, Conservation and Development, Labor and Industries, Agriculture, Licenses and the Department of Highways.