Handbook for Amazing Lodging Operations
Your comprehensive guide to legal and regulatory requirements for businesses in Washington state.
Exclusive Members-Only Resource
Join today to receive your complimentary copy of the HALO.
The Handbook for Amazing Lodging Operations (HALO) is our comprehensive resource guide that contains Washington state legal and regulatory information, state and federal tax forms, operational checklists, and much more. The HALO is a must-have resource for any lodging establishment operating in Washington state.
- What are the state’s transient accommodations license requirements?
- What protections are needed for isolated employees?
- How often should my employees be given rest breaks and meal periods?
- What permits do I need for boilers and pool heaters?
All these questions and many more are answered in the HALO. See below for the full table of contents.
The HALO is new in 2025!
- Updates to state and local minimum wages
- New thresholds for overtime exemptions
- New Paid Family & Medial Leave rates
- Updated credit card surcharge guidance from the Department of Revenue
- And more!
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Contact a territory manager today to learn more about the many benefits of membership with the Washington Hospitality Association.
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Whether you’re a new hotelier or a seasoned veteran, having a solid understanding of Washington state’s complex legal and regulatory environment is a key ingredient to the success of your business.
What’s in the HALO?
The HALO is nearly 300 pages of plain English explainations of hundreds of state laws and regulations that apply to lodging properties and businesses operating in Washington state.
The Washington Hospitality Assocation partners with state agencies and allied members in the legal field to update the HALO at least once a year.
Labor & Industries
Transient Accommodations License
Employment Posters
Accident Prevention Plan
Bed Bugs: What to do and how to respond
Workplace Safety & Health
Safety Committees & Safety Meetings
Workplace Injuries & Fatalities
First Aid
Bloodborne Pathogens
Isolated Worker Protections
Hazard Communication rule
Outdoor Heat Exposure
Wildfire smoke exposure
Ladder Safety
Elevators
Boilers
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Long-term care reporting requirements (WA Cares Fund)
Pregnancy Accommodations & Pregnancy and Parental Leave
Domestic Violence Leave
Military Families & Emergency Service Personnel Leave
Minimum wage
Hourly and salaried overtime
Meals and breaks
Equal Pay & Opportunities Act
Payroll & Personnel Records
Payroll Deductions
Tips, Tip Pooling & Service Charges
Youth Employment
Uniforms
Termination & Retaliation
Find the training courses your staff needs from AHLA
Department of Revenue
Business & Occupation Tax
Collecting sales tax
Credit card surcharges
Paying sales tax
Local sales/use tax
Bakery items
Banquet room rental
Caterers and catering
Coupons, gift certificates and free meals
Cover charges
Delicatessens
Employee meals
Games, gambling and similar income
Gratuities (tips)
Including sales tax in the price
Pizza
Syrup tax credit
Unclaimed property
Vending machines
Leasehold excise tax
Litter tax
Personal property tax
Recordkeeping requirements
Preparing for an audit
Corkage fees
Personal chefs
Department of Health
Breastfeeding
Rules of breastfeeding in public
Washington State Retail Food Code
Certified Food Protection Manager
Active managerial control
Cleaning & sanitizing
Date marking
Cleanup of vomit & diarrhea
Employee health
Bare hand contact
Food changes
Refillable reusables
Pet dogs
CBDs in food and beverages
First aid compliance
Consumer advisory
Hand washing
Other personal hygiene issues
Cooking temperature requirements
Cooling temperature requirements
Time as a control
Temperature Danger Zone
Food trucks & trailers
Cooling down food tracking chart
Cooking temperature log
Hot holding food temperature log
Refrigerator temperature log
Liquor & Cannabis Board
Verifying identification
Signs of intoxication
Preventing intoxication
For all licensees
Retail liquor advertising
Required signage
Protecting your license
Retail/non-retail relationships
Financial interest & ownership
Alcohol to go
Penalties
Keg sales
Private compliance checks
Spirits, beer and wine
Tavern license
Sports/entertainment, nonprofit
Lodging
Page 5
Caterer’s endorsement
Caterer’s license
Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST)
Enforcement Offices
Cigarettes & vaping products
Department of Ecology
Optional service ware
Single-use plastic bags
Compostable product labeling requirements
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging
Certain foodservice products made from expanded polystyrene banned
Washington Hospitality Association
ServSafe® Alcohol
ServSafe® Allergens
ServSafe® Manager
Training youth – ProStart®
Mentor worksites
WorkSafe – workers’ compensation program
Handing down the family business
Easily increase profitability
Employee turnover
How to sell your restaurant
Renegotiate your lease
Recipe for readiness
Forms & Checklists
Sample job descriptions (manager, sous chef/kitchen manager, line cook, server, busser, dishwasher, bartender, host/hostess)
New hire form checklist
New hire/Change in status form
Sample interview questions
Telephone reference check form
New employee safety orientation training checklist
Sample employee uniform agreement
Employee Handbook acknowledgement form
Sample employee health policy
Employee overtime authorization
Tardy notice
Absentee notice
Warning notice
Employee termination notice
Employee termination record
Employee performance review
Employee exit interview
Manager evaluation by employee
Handwashing Chart (Morning)
Handwashing Chart (Evening)
Restroom check list
Washington Hospitality Association secret shopper form
HALO Inquiry
Would you like to speak with one of our industry experts about the Handbook for Amazing Lodging Operations?
Fill out the form below or email infoteam@wahospitality.org and a representative will reach out to you.

Lisa Leinberger
Communications Manager
360-246-4491
Email Lisa