On state park land
Permission needed
On state park land, and it is an offence anywhere in the state to disturb an archaeological site without a permit.
This state also reaches city and county land — see below
1. The rule, in full
Washington – RCW 27.53
Scope text, RCW 27.53.040:
"…lands or waters owned by or under the possession, custody, or control of the state of Washington or any county, city, or political subdivision of the state."
Scope: reaches municipal land.
Operative prohibition, RCW 27.53.060(1): it is unlawful to
"knowingly remove, alter, dig into, or excavate by use of any mechanical, hydraulic, or other means, or to damage, deface, or destroy any historic or prehistoric archaeological resource or site"
without a permit.
Definition, RCW 27.53.030(3): "archaeological site" means "a geographic locality in Washington… that contains archaeological objects."
What it does NOT prohibit: metal detecting. The statute does not mention detectors.
Same shape as Kansas: real statewide reach onto city land, but what it reaches is site disturbance.
2. Cities in Washington that publish a rule
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.
3. County rules
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.
4. Cities checked — no published rule
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.