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 the Washington Legislature 2020 Regular Session.
General Provisions
Incorporation
Wash. Const. Art. XI § 10 and RCW ch. 35.02
Classification of municipalities
Annexations
RCW ch. 35.13
First class cities
RCW ch. 35.22
Second class cities
RCW ch. 35.23
Towns
RCW ch. 35.27
Unclassified cities
RCW ch. 35.30
Miscellaneous provisions applicable to all cities and towns
RCW ch. 35.21
Adoption of codes by reference
RCW 35.21.180
Codification of ordinances
RCW 35.21.500 et seq.
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
RCW ch. 7.80
Elections
RCW title 29A
Campaign finances and disclosure
RCW ch. 42.17
Official newspaper
RCW 35.21.875
Administration and Personnel
Commission form of government
RCW ch. 35.17
Council-manager plan
RCW ch. 35.18
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
RCW ch. 42.41
Code of ethics for officers
RCW ch. 42.23
Open Public Meeting Act of 1971
RCW ch. 42.30
Municipal courts
Planning commissions
RCW ch. 35.63
Hearing examiner system for zoning amendments
RCW 35A.63.170
Emergency management
RCW ch. 38.52
Revenue and Finance
Budgets
Bonds
Depositories
RCW ch. 35.38
Investment of funds
RCW ch. 35.39
Accident claims and funds
RCW ch. 35.31
Validation and funding of debts
RCW ch. 35.40
Local improvements
RCW chs. 35.43—35.56
Retail sales and use taxes
RCW ch. 82.14
Leasehold excise tax
RCW ch. 82.29A
Real estate excise tax
RCW ch. 82.46
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.
Marijuana excise tax
RCW 69.50.535
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
RCW ch. 35.102
Uniform license fee or tax rate
License fees or taxes on telephone businesses
RCW 35.21.712—35.21.715
Ambulance business taxes
RCW 35.21.768
Freight carrier taxes
RCW 35.21.840—35.21.850
Gambling
Liquor
Auctioneers
RCW 35.21.690
Cabarets
RCW 66.28.080
Cable television
RCW ch. 35.99
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
RCW ch. 16.52
Dangerous dogs
RCW 16.08.070 et seq.
Health and Safety
Generally
RCW Title 70
Local health boards and officers
RCW ch. 70.05
Garbage collection and disposal
RCW 35.21.120 et seq. and RCW ch. 35.67
Litter control
RCW ch. 70.93
Fireworks
RCW ch. 70.77
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
RCW ch. 49.60
Juvenile curfew
RCW 35.21.635
Vehicles and Traffic
Motor vehicles
RCW title 46
Model traffic ordinance
RCW ch. 46.90
Penalties for driving while intoxicated
RCW 35.21.165
Accident reports
RCW ch. 46.52
Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places
Local improvements
RCW chs. 35.43—35.56
Metropolitan park districts
RCW ch. 35.61
Street construction and maintenance
RCW chs. 35.72—35.79
Sidewalk construction
RCW chs. 35.68—35.70
Public Services
Municipal utilities
RCW ch. 35.92
Municipal Water and Sewer Facilities Act
RCW ch. 35.91
Sewer systems
RCW ch. 35.67
Water or sewer districts, assumption of jurisdiction
RCW ch. 35.13A
Buildings and Construction
State building code
RCW ch. 19.27
Unfit dwellings, buildings and structures
RCW ch. 35.80
Energy-related building standards
RCW ch. 19.27A
Electrician and electrical construction
RCW ch. 19.28
Electrical construction
RCW ch. 19.29
Development impact fees
RCW 82.02.050 et seq.
Subdivisions
Subdivisions generally
RCW ch. 58.17
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
RCW ch. 36.70A
Judicial review of land use decisions
RCW ch. 36.70C