Chapter 1.12
ORDINANCES*
Sections:
1.12.010 Reading requirements—Exceptions.
1.12.020 Signing, veto, and publication requirements.
1.12.030 Passage date restrictions.
* For statutory provisions on ordinances, see RCW 35.27.310.
1.12.010 Reading requirements—Exceptions.
A. Except as otherwise set forth in this chapter, every ordinance passed by the city council shall be read twice.
B. Council may waive the two reading process by motion by a member of city council and approval by a quorum of the council.
C. The failure of the city council to follow the procedures for reading the proposed ordinances shall not affect the validity of an ordinance adopted. (Ord. 671 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 60 § 1, 1949)
1.12.020 Signing, veto, and publication requirements.
A. Every ordinance shall be signed by the mayor, attested by the clerk-treasurer, and published as set forth in this section.
B. Every ordinance passed by council must be presented to the mayor in order to become valid. If the mayor approves the ordinance, the mayor shall sign the ordinance. In the event the mayor does not approve the ordinance, the mayor may veto the ordinance by returning the ordinance to the council with the mayor’s written objections to the ordinance. The council shall cause the mayor’s objections to be entered at large upon the journal and proceed to a reconsideration of the ordinance. If, upon reconsideration of the original ordinance, a majority plus one of the entire council votes in favor of passage, the ordinance shall become valid notwithstanding the mayor’s veto. If the mayor fails for ten days to either approve or veto an ordinance, it shall become valid without the mayor’s approval.
C. Promptly after adoption, the text of each ordinance or a summary of the content of each ordinance shall be published at least once in the city’s official newspaper. For purposes of this section, a “summary” shall mean either a brief description of the main points of the ordinance, or the title of the ordinance. If a summary is published, the publication shall further indicate that a full copy of the ordinance will be mailed upon request. (Ord. 671 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 60 § 2, 1949)
1.12.030 Passage date restrictions.
A. Except as authorized by subsection (B) of this section, and unless otherwise provided by statute or charter, no ordinance shall take effect until five days after the date of its publication.
B. An ordinance passed by a majority plus one of the whole membership of the council, and designated as a public emergency ordinance necessary for the protection of public health, public safety, public property or the public peace, may be made effective upon adoption, but such ordinance may not levy taxes, grant, renew, or extend a franchise, or authorize the borrowing of money. (Ord. 671 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 60 § 3, 1949)
1.12.040 Enacting clause.
The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be as follows: “The City Council of the City of Bridgeport Do Ordain As Follows.” (Ord. 671 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 60 § 4, 1949)
1.12.050 Conflict of law.
In the event of any conflict between the requirements set forth in this chapter and the requirements set forth in state statutes, including RCW 35A.12.130 through 35A.12.160, as existing or hereafter amended, the requirements in state statute be controlling. (Ord. 671 § 1 (part), 2017)