Wash. Rev. Code § 47.28.026 (2026)

(1) No owner or occupier of lands, buildings, or improvements may erect any buildings or make any improvements within the limits of any such highway, the location, width, and lines of which have been established and recorded as provided in RCW 47.28.025. If any such erection and improvements are made, no allowances may be had therefor by the assessment of damages. No permits for improvements within the limits may be issued by any authority. The establishment of any highway location as set forth in RCW 47.28.025 is ineffective after one year from the filing thereof if no action to condemn or acquire the property within the limits has been commenced within that time.

(2) Unless and until the department causes a plan of a proposed new highway or limited access facility to be recorded in the office of the county auditor as authorized in RCW 47.28.025, nothing contained in RCW 47.28.025 or 47.28.026 may be deemed to restrict or restrain in any manner the improvement, development, or other use by owners or occupiers of lands, buildings, or improvements within the limits of any proposed new or limited access highway or any proposed relocated or widened highway. Because of the uncertainties of federal aid and the state level of funding of proposed construction or improvement of state highways, plans for such improvements approved by the department shall be deemed tentative until filed with the county auditor as authorized in RCW 47.28.025 or until the department commences action to condemn or otherwise acquire the right-of-way for the highway improvements.