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 June 2023.
General Provisions
Adoption of codes by reference.
RCW 35.21.180
Annexations.
Chapter 35.13 RCW
Campaign finances and disclosure.
Chapter 42.17A RCW
Civil infractions.
Chapter 7.80 RCW
Classification of municipalities.
Codification of ordinances.
RCW 35.21.500 through 35.21.570
Elections.
RCW Title 29A
First-class cities.
Chapter 35.22 RCW
Incorporation.
Wash. Const. Art. XI § 10 and Chapter 35.02 RCW
Miscellaneous provisions applicable to all cities and towns.
Chapter 35.21 RCW
Natural resource infractions.
Chapter 7.84 RCW
Official newspaper.
RCW 35.21.875
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
Public records.
Chapter 42.56 RCW
Second-class cities.
Chapter 35.23 RCW
Towns.
Chapter 35.27 RCW
Unclassified cities.
Chapter 35.30 RCW
Administration and Personnel
City council in second-class cities.
RCW 35.23.181 et seq.
Code of ethics for officers.
Chapter 42.23 RCW
Commission form of government.
Chapter 35.17 RCW
Council-manager plan.
Chapter 35.18 RCW
Emergency management.
Chapter 38.52 RCW
Hearing examiner system for zoning amendments.
RCW 35A.63.170
Local government whistleblower protection.
Chapter 42.41 RCW
Municipal courts.
Chapters 3.46, 3.50 and 35.20 RCW
Officers in second-class cities.
RCW 35.23.021 et seq.
Officers in towns.
RCW 35.27.070 et seq.
Open Public Meetings Act of 1971.
Chapter 42.30 RCW
Planning commissions.
Chapter 35.63 RCW
Town council.
RCW 35.27.270 et seq.
Revenue and Finance
Accident claims and funds.
Chapter 35.31 RCW
Bonds.
Chapters 35.36, 35.37 and 35.41 RCW
Budgets.
Chapters 35.32A, 35.33 and 35.34 RCW
Depositories.
Chapter 35.38 RCW
Gambling taxes.
RCW 9.46.110 et seq.
Investment of funds.
Chapter 35.39 RCW
Leasehold excise tax.
Chapter 82.29A RCW
Local improvements.
Chapters 35.43 through 35.56 RCW
Lodging tax.
RCW 67.28.180 et seq.
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)
Real estate excise tax.
Chapter 82.46 RCW
Retail sales and use taxes.
Chapter 82.14 RCW
State preemption of certain tax fields.
RCW 82.02.020
Tax on admissions.
RCW 35.21.280
Validation and funding of debts.
Chapter 35.40 RCW
Business Licenses, Taxes and Regulations
Ambulance business taxes.
RCW 35.21.768
Auctioneers.
RCW 35.21.690
Cabarets.
RCW 66.28.080
Cable television.
Chapter 35.99 RCW
First-class city licenses.
RCW 35.22.280(32) and (33)
Freight carrier taxes.
RCW 35.21.840 through 35.21.850
Gambling.
License fees or taxes on telephone businesses.
RCW 35.21.712 through 35.21.715
Liquor.
Massage therapists.
RCW 35.21.692
Municipal business and occupation tax.
Chapter 35.102 RCW
Newspaper carriers.
RCW 35.21.696
Second-class city licenses.
RCW 35.23.440(2) through (8)
Town licenses.
RCW 35.27.370(9)
Uniform license fee or tax rate.
Animals
Animals and livestock.
RCW Title 16
Cruelty to animals.
Chapter 16.52 RCW
Dangerous dogs.
RCW 16.08.070 et seq.
Power of second-class cities to regulate.
RCW 35.23.440(11)
Power of towns to regulate.
RCW 35.27.370(7)
Health and Safety
Controlled substances; cannabis.
Chapter 69.50 RCW
Fireworks.
Chapter 70.77 RCW
Garbage collection and disposal.
RCW 35.21.120 et seq. and Chapter 35.67 RCW
Generally.
RCW Title 70
Local health boards and officers.
Chapter 70.05 RCW
Medical cannabis.
Chapter 69.51A RCW
Waste reduction, recycling and litter control.
Chapter 70A.200 RCW
Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Crimes and punishments.
RCW Title 9
Discrimination.
Chapter 49.60 RCW
Drunkenness and substance use.
RCW 71.24.575
Juvenile curfew.
RCW 35.21.635
Washington Criminal Code.
RCW Title 9A
Vehicles and Traffic
Accident reports.
Chapter 46.52 RCW
Model traffic ordinance.
Chapter 46.90 RCW
Motor vehicles.
RCW Title 46
Penalties for driving while intoxicated.
RCW 35.21.165
Streets, Sidewalks and Public Property
Local improvements.
Chapters 35.43 through 35.56 RCW
Metropolitan park districts.
Chapter 35.61 RCW
Sidewalk construction.
Chapters 35.68 through 35.70 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
Development impact fees.
RCW 82.02.050 et seq.
Electrical construction.
Chapter 19.29 RCW
Electricians and electrical installations.
Chapter 19.28 RCW
Energy-related building standards.
Chapter 19.27A RCW
State building code.
Chapter 19.27 RCW
Unfit dwellings, buildings and structures.
Chapter 35.80 RCW
Subdivisions
Hearing examiner system for plat approval.
RCW 58.17.330
Short plats and short subdivisions.
RCW 58.17.060 et seq.
Subdivisions generally.
Chapter 58.17 RCW
Zoning
Generally.
RCW 35.63.080 et seq.
Growth management.
Chapter 36.70A RCW
Hearing examiner system for zoning applications.
RCW 35.63.130
Judicial review of land use decisions.
Chapter 36.70C RCW