Washington

• 1/1/2015 last updated

It is illegal to own any type of still in Washington for any reason regardless of its intended use.

66.44.140 Unlawful sale, transportation of spirituous liquor without stamp or seal -- Unlawful operation, possession of still or mash

Every person who shall sell or offer for sale, or transport in any manner, any spirituous liquor, without government stamp or seal attached thereto, or who shall operate without a license, any still or other device for the production of spirituous liquor, or shall have in his or her possession or under his or her control any mash capable of being distilled into spirituous liquor except as provided in RCW 66.12.130, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall upon his or her first conviction be fined not less than five hundred dollars and confined in the county jail not less than six months, and upon second and subsequent conviction shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars and confined in the county jail not less than one year.

Washington does offer an alcohol fuel license, but it is commercial license. I am unsure if this can be used for personal use or not.

Costs include a $50.00 background check, a bond with a minimium amount of $5,000 and then tax payment of all fuel made.

Washington does offer a standard distillers license, and a micro-distillery license. A standard license costs $2,100 per year, and a distiller’s license costs $100.

A micro distillery license allows for the production of 150,000 proof gallons per year, and requires that 50% of your materials used are grown in the state.

There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits. Below are the federal licenses only. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.

You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit.

This license only allows you to produce spirits. You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant

For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license.

RCW 66.44.090 Acting without license

Any person doing any act required to be licensed under this title without having in force a license issued to him or her shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

66.44.140 Unlawful sale, transportation of spirituous liquor without stamp or seal -- Unlawful operation, possession of still or mash

Every person who shall sell or offer for sale, or transport in any manner, any spirituous liquor, without government stamp or seal attached thereto, or who shall operate without a license, any still or other device for the production of spirituous liquor, or shall have in his or her possession or under his or her control any mash capable of being distilled into spirituous liquor except as provided in RCW 66.12.130, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall upon his or her first conviction be fined not less than five hundred dollars and confined in the county jail not less than six months, and upon second and subsequent conviction shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars and confined in the county jail not less than one year.

RCW 66.44.160 Illegal possession, transportation of alcoholic beverages

Except as otherwise provided in this title, any person who has or keeps or transports alcoholic beverages other than those purchased from the board, a state liquor store, or some person authorized by the board to sell them, shall be guilty of a violation of this title.

RCW 66.44.170 Illegal possession of liquor with intent to sell — Prima facie evidence, what is

Any person who keeps or possesses liquor upon his or her person or in any place, or on premises conducted or maintained by him or her as principal or agent with the intent to sell it contrary to provisions of this title, shall be guilty of a violation of this title. The possession of liquor by the principal or agent on premises conducted or maintained, under federal authority, as a retail dealer in liquors, shall be prima facie evidence of the intent to sell liquor.

Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.

This means legally you can:

• Own, manufacture, sell or be in possession of a still.
• Distill water
• Produce essential oils or other non-alcohol liquids
• Fuel production is legal federally with the correct licenses.

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