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License Plate

Washington Lighthouses special vehicle plate

The commemorative lighthouse license plate program funds restoration and preservation of the Admiralty Head Lighthouse and other Washington State Lighthouses.

Contributions also go toward the LEP endowment fund and three core LEP membership programs, Beach Watchers, Lighthouse Docents and Waste Wise Volunteers.

The new plate costs $40 in addition to any regular licensing fees. At annual renewal, it will cost $30 additional, $28 of which is tax deductible as a charitable contribution.

Get your plate today

1. Download and complete the application via the DOL site. Check the box for the “Washington Lighthouses” license plate.

2. Mail or take the completed application to a county auditor or vehicle license subagent office. For a list of office locations, go to: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/vehoffices/

Who benefits?

Funds from the proceeds of lighthouse license plate sales support the following programs:

WSU Beach Watchers Program. These volunteers receive 100 hours of classroom instruction in protecting the environment of Island County and Puget Sound . They accomplish their goal through educational workshops and research and by encouraging public awareness. One of the Beach Watchers, Janet Orso, provided the license plate’s original design.

WSU Waste Wise Volunteer Program. These volunteers also receive classroom instruction, approximately 50 hours, and work to encourage recycling, smart shopping, composting, waste reduction and sustainable living in Island County.

WSU Lighthouse Docent Program. Trained volunteer docents presently serve more than 35,000 annual lighthouse visitors by providing tours, lectures, gift shop staffing, and arrangements for lighthouse weddings and other special occasions. These volunteers also provide guided tours of Fort Casey, primarily to school children.

Washington State Parks. Special stewardship projects of the LEP benefit the environment and Washington State Parks.

Admiralty Head Lighthouse Museum. Funds are used to enhance the Admiralty Head Lighthouse Interpretive Center with high quality interpretive exhibits and select restoration projects.

How proceeds are allocated

Lighthouse Environmental Programs (LEP) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization located in Washington State and registered with the Secretary of State’s office. LEP was formed in 1994 to oversee financial management of the environmental education outreach programs, WSU Lighthouse Docents, WSU Waste Wise Volunteers and WSU Beach Watchers. These programs are headquartered at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse in Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island.

A major portion of the license plate fee is returned to LEP. The following policies apply to the expenditure of these funds. From the annual gross proceeds:

  • A maximum of 10% is used for marketing and administration.
  • 10% is allocated to the LEP Endowment Fund to secure the future of LEP and the programs it supports.
  • 25% is given to other non-profit, volunteer-run lighthouses in Washington State through the Lighthouse Grants program.