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 2017 Third Special Session.
General Provisions
Incorporation. Wash. Const. Art. XI § 10 and Chapter 35.02 RCW
Classification of municipalities. Chapters 35.01 and 35.06 RCW
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
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 Meetings Act of 1971. Chapter 42.30 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
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
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) through (8)
Town licenses. RCW 35.27.370(9)
Municipal business and occupation tax. Chapter 35.102 RCW
Uniform license fee or tax rate. RCW 35.21.710 and 35.21.711
License fees or taxes on telephone businesses. RCW 35.21.712 through 35.21.715
Ambulance business taxes. RCW 35.21.768
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 71.24.575
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
Metropolitan park districts. Chapter 35.61 RCW
Street construction and maintenance. Chapters 35.72 through 35.79 RCW
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
Electricians 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