# RCW 46.96.070: RCW 46.96.070: Notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S070

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 46.96.070
- **Heading:** RCW 46.96.070: Notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 46 / Chapter 96 / Section 070

## Text

Before the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise, the manufacturer shall give written notification to both the department and the new motor vehicle dealer. For the purposes of this chapter, the discontinuance of the sale and distribution of a new motor vehicle line, or the constructive discontinuance by material reduction in selection offered, such that continuing to retail the line is no longer economically viable for a dealer is, at the option of the dealer, considered a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise. The notice shall be by certified mail or personally delivered to the new motor vehicle dealer and shall state the intention to terminate, cancel, or not renew the franchise, the reasons for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, and the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal. The notice shall be given: (1) Not less than ninety days before the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal; (2) Not less than fifteen days before the effective date of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal with respect to any of the following that constitute good cause for termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal: (a) Insolvency of the new motor vehicle dealer or the filing of any petition by or against the new motor vehicle dealer under bankruptcy or receivership law; (b) Failure of the new motor vehicle dealer to conduct sales and service operations during customary business hours for seven consecutive business days, except for acts of God or circumstances beyond the direct control of the new motor vehicle dealer; (c) Conviction of the new motor vehicle dealer, or principal operator of the dealership, of a felony punishable by imprisonment; or (d) Suspension or revocation of a license that the new motor vehicle dealer is required to have to operate the new motor vehicle dealership where the suspension or revocation is for a period in excess of thirty days; (3) Not less than one hundred eighty days before the effective date of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal, where the manufacturer intends to discontinue sale and distribution of the new motor vehicle line.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 46.96.010 RCW 46.96.010: Legislative findings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S010.md)
- [RCW 46.96.020 RCW 46.96.020: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S020.md)
- [RCW 46.96.030 RCW 46.96.030: Termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise restricted.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S030.md)
- [RCW 46.96.035 RCW 46.96.035: Payment of fair market value of dealer goodwill upon request and termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S035.md)
- [RCW 46.96.040 RCW 46.96.040: Determination of good cause, good faith—Petition, notice, decision, appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S040.md)
- [RCW 46.96.050 RCW 46.96.050: Determination of good cause, good faith—Hearing, decision, procedures—Judicial review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S050.md)
- [RCW 46.96.060 RCW 46.96.060: Good cause, what constitutes—Burden of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S060.md)
- [RCW 46.96.070 RCW 46.96.070: Notice of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S070.md)
- [RCW 46.96.080 RCW 46.96.080: Payments by manufacturer to dealer for inventory, equipment, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S080.md)
- [RCW 46.96.090 RCW 46.96.090: Payments by manufacturer for dealership facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S090.md)
- [RCW 46.96.095 RCW 46.96.095: Compensation by manufacturer for labor and parts required to perform recall repairs—Applicability to certain used vehicles—Reimbursement claims—Recovery of costs—Remedy, exclusive.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S095.md)
- [RCW 46.96.100 RCW 46.96.100: Mitigation of damages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S100.md)
- [RCW 46.96.105 RCW 46.96.105: Warranty work.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S105.md)
- [RCW 46.96.110 RCW 46.96.110: Designated successor to franchise ownership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S110.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T46_C96_S070. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.