STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR WASHINGTON CITIES AND TOWNS
The statutory references listed below refer the code user to state statutes applicable to Washington cities and towns. They are up to date through July 2016.
General Provisions
Incorporation
Wash. Const. Art. XI § 10 and Chapter 35.02 RCW
Classification of municipalities
Annexations
Chapter 35.13 RCW
First class cities
Chapter 35.22 RCW
Second class cities
Chapter 35.23 RCW
Towns
Chapter 35.27 RCW
Unclassified cities
Chapter 35.30 RCW
Miscellaneous provisions applicable to all cities and towns
Chapter 35.21 RCW
Adoption of codes by reference
RCW 35.21.180
Codification of ordinances
RCW 35.21.500 through 35.21.580
Penalties for ordinance violations in first class cities
RCW 35.22.280(35); 35.21.163 and 35.21.165
Penalties for ordinance violations in second class cities
RCW 35.23.440(29); 35.21.163 and 35.21.165
Penalties for ordinance violations in towns
RCW 35.27.370(14); 35.21.163 and 35.21.165
Civil infractions
Chapter 7.80 RCW
Elections
RCW Title 29A
Campaign finances and disclosure
Chapter 42.17A RCW
Official newspaper
RCW 35.21.875
Administration and Personnel
Commission form of government
Chapter 35.17 RCW
Council-manager plan
Chapter 35.18 RCW
City council in second class cities
RCW 35.23.181 et seq.
Town council
RCW 35.27.270 et seq.
Officers in second-class cities
RCW 35.23.021 et seq.
Officers in towns
RCW 35.27.070 et seq.
Local government whistleblower protection
Chapter 42.41 RCW
Code of ethics for officers
Chapter 42.23 RCW
Open Public Meeting Act of 1971
Chapter 42.30 RCW
Municipal courts
Chapters 3.46, 3.50, 35.20 RCW
Planning commissions
Chapter 35.63 RCW
Hearing examiner system for zoning amendments
RCW 35A.63.170
Emergency management
Chapter 38.52 RCW
Revenue and Finance
Budgets
Chapters 35.32A, 35.33, 35.34 RCW
Bonds
Chapters 35.36, 35.37, 35.41 RCW
Depositories
Chapter 35.38 RCW
Investment of funds
Chapter 35.39 RCW
Accident claims and funds
Chapter 35.31 RCW
Validation and funding of debts
Chapter 35.40 RCW
Local improvements
Chapter 35.43—35.56 RCW
Retail sales and use taxes
Chapter 82.14 RCW
Leasehold excise tax
Chapter 82.29A RCW
Real estate excise tax
Chapter 82.46 RCW
Tax on admissions
RCW 35.21.280
Property tax in first class cities
RCW 35.22.280(2)
Property tax in second class cities
RCW 35.23.440(46)
Property tax in towns
RCW 35.27.370(8)
Lodging tax
RCW 67.28.180 et seq.
Gambling taxes
RCW 9.46.110 et seq.
State preemption of certain tax fields
RCW 82.02.020
Business Licenses and Regulations
First class city licenses
RCW 35.22.280(32) and (33)
Second class city licenses
RCW 35.23.440(2) – (8)
Town licenses
RCW 35.27.370(9)
Municipal business and occupation tax
Chapter 35.102 RCW
Uniform license fee or tax rate
License fees or taxes on telephone businesses
Ambulance business taxes
RCW 35.21.768
Freight carrier taxes
Gambling
Liquor
Auctioneers
RCW 35.21.690
Cabarets
RCW 66.28.080
Cable television
Chapter 35.99 RCW
Massage practitioners
RCW 35.21.692
Newspaper carriers
RCW 35.21.696
Animals
Power of second class cities to regulate
RCW 35.23.440(11)
Power of towns to regulate
RCW 35.27.370(7)
Cruelty to animals
Chapter 16.52 RCW
Dangerous dogs
RCW 16.08.070 et seq.
Health and Safety
Generally
RCW Title 70
Local health boards and officers
Chapter 70.05 RCW
Garbage collection and disposal
RCW 35.21.120 et seq. and Chapter 35.67 RCW
Litter control
Chapter 70.93 RCW
Fireworks
Chapter 70.77 RCW
Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Crimes and punishments
RCW Title 9
Washington Criminal Code
RCW Title 9A
Drunkenness and alcoholism
RCW 70.96A.190
Discrimination
Chapter 49.60 RCW
Juvenile curfew
RCW 35.21.635
Vehicles and Traffic
Motor vehicles
RCW Title 46
Model traffic ordinance
Chapter 46.90 RCW
Penalties for driving while intoxicated
RCW 35.21.165
Accident reports
Chapter 46.52 RCW
Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places
Local improvements
Metropolitan park districts
Chapter 35.61 RCW
Street construction and maintenance
Sidewalk construction
Public Services
Municipal utilities
Chapter 35.92 RCW
Municipal Water and Sewer Facilities Act
Chapter 35.91 RCW
Sewer systems
Chapter 35.67 RCW
Water or sewer districts, assumption of jurisdiction
Chapter 35.13A RCW
Buildings and Construction
State building code
Chapter 19.27 RCW
Unfit dwellings, buildings and structures
Chapter 35.80 RCW
Energy-related building standards
Chapter 19.27A RCW
Electrician and electrical installations
Chapter 19.28 RCW
Electrical construction
Chapter 19.29 RCW
Development impact fees
RCW 82.02.050 et seq.
Subdivisions
Subdivisions generally
Chapter 58.17 RCW
Short plats and short subdivisions
RCW 58.17.060 et seq.
Hearing examiner system for plat approval
RCW 58.17.330
Zoning
Generally
RCW 35.63.080 et seq.
Hearing examiner system for zoning applications
RCW 35.63.130
Growth management
Chapter 36.70A RCW
Judicial review of land use decisions
Chapter 36.70C RCW