Title 35 — Title 35 CITIES AND TOWNS
49 chapters · 1,261 sections in this title.
RCW 35.22.330 Radio communication.
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Every city of the first class maintaining a harbor department may install, maintain, and operate in connection therewith wireless telegraph stations for the handling of official and commercial messages and for communicating with wireless land and shore stations under such regulat…
RCW 35.22.340 Streets—Railroad franchises in, along, over, and across.
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Every city of the first class may by ordinance authorize the location, construction, and operation of railroads in, along, over, and across any highway, street, alley, or public place in the city for such term of years and upon such conditions as the city council may by ordinance…
RCW 35.22.350 Utilities—Collective bargaining with employees.
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Every city of the first class which owns and operates a waterworks system, a light and power system, a street railway or other public utility, shall have power, through its proper officers, to deal with and to enter into contracts for periods not exceeding one year with its emplo…
RCW 35.22.360 Utilities—Wage adjustments.
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Notwithstanding any annual budget or statute relating thereto, any city of the first class owning and operating a public utility, or the city's public utility department, may make an adjustment or change of the rate of daily wages of employees of any such public utility if such a…
RCW 35.22.362 Nuclear thermal power facilities—Joint development with public utility districts and electrical companies.
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See chapter 54.44 RCW.
RCW 35.22.365 Public transportation systems in municipalities—Financing.
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See chapter 35.95 RCW.
RCW 35.22.370 Wards—Division of city.
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Notwithstanding that the charter of a city of the first class may forbid the city council from redividing the city into wards except at stated periods, if the city has failed to redivide the city into wards during any such period, the city council by ordinance may do so at any ti…
RCW 35.22.410 Wharves—City may let wharves or privileges thereon.
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Every city of the first class may let the whole or any part of a wharf, or the privileges thereon owned by the city, for periods not to exceed one year in such manner, and upon such terms, as may be prescribed by a general ordinance.[ 1965 c 7 s 35.22.410. Prior: 1911 c 67 s 1; R…
RCW 35.22.415 Municipal airport located in unincorporated area—Subject to county comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances.
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Whenever a first-class city owns and operates a municipal airport which is located in an unincorporated area of a county, the airport shall be subject to the county's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances in the same manner as if the airport were privately owned and operated.[…
RCW 35.22.425 Criminal code repeals by city operating municipal court—Agreement covering costs of handling resulting criminal cases—Arbitration.
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A city of the first class operating a municipal court may not repeal in its entirety that portion of its municipal code defining crimes or repeal a provision of its municipal code which defines a crime equivalent to an offense listed in RCW 46.63.020 unless the municipality has r…
RCW 35.22.570 Omnibus grant of powers to first-class cities.
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Any city adopting a charter under the provisions of this chapter shall have all the powers which are conferred upon incorporated cities and towns by this title or other laws of the state, and all such powers as are usually exercised by municipal corporations of like character and…
RCW 35.22.580 Diversion of local improvement moneys prohibited—Refund of excess.
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Whenever any city of the first class shall levy and collect moneys by sale of bonds or otherwise for any local improvement by special assessment therefor, the same shall be carried in a special fund to be used for said purpose, and no part thereof shall be transferred or diverted…
RCW 35.22.590 Bonds voted by people—Transfer of excess to redemption fund.
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(1) Whenever the issuance or sale of bonds or other obligations of any city of the first class has been authorized by vote of the people, as provided by any existing charter or laws, for any special improvement or purpose, the proceeds of the sale of such bonds including premiums…
RCW 35.22.600 Liability for violations of RCW 35.22.580 or 35.22.590.
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Any ordinance, resolution, order or other action of any city council, board or officer, and every city warrant or other instrument in writing made in violation of any of the provisions of RCW 35.22.580 or 35.22.590 shall be void, and every officer, agent or employee of any such c…
RCW 35.22.610 Police officers—Appointment without regard to residence authorized.
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Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 35.21.200, as now or hereafter amended, all cities of the first class shall have the right and authority to appoint and employ a person as a regular or special police officer of said city regardless of his or her place of residence or domicil…
RCW 35.22.620 Public works or improvements—Limitations on work by public employees—Small works roster—Purchase of reused or recycled materials or products.
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(1) As used in this section, the term "public works" means as defined in RCW 39.04.010.(2) A first-class city may have public works performed by contract pursuant to public notice and call for competitive bids. As limited by subsection (3) of this section, a first-class city may …
RCW 35.22.625 Public works or improvements—Inapplicability of RCW 35.22.620 to certain agreements relating to water pollution control, solid waste handling facilities.
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RCW 35.22.620 does not apply to the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop water pollution control facilities or to provide water pollution control services under RCW 70A.140.040 or the selection of persons or entities to construct or develop solid waste handlin…
RCW 35.22.630 Public works or improvements—Cost amounts—How determined.
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The cost of any public work or improvement for the purposes of RCW 35.22.620 and 35.22.640 shall be the aggregate of all amounts to be paid for labor, material, and equipment on one continuous or interrelated project where work is to be performed simultaneously or in close sequen…
RCW 35.22.635 Public works or improvements—Low bidder claiming error—Prohibition on later bid for same project.
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A low bidder who claims error and fails to enter into a contract with a city for a public works project is prohibited from bidding on the same project if a second or subsequent call for bids is made for the project.[ 1996 c 18 s 1.]
RCW 35.22.640 Public works or improvements—Electrical distribution and generating systems—Customer may contract with qualified electrical contractor.
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Cities of the first class are relieved from complying with the provisions of RCW 35.22.620 with respect to any public work or improvement relating solely to electrical distribution and generating systems on public rights-of-way or on municipally owned property: PROVIDED, That if …
RCW 35.22.650 Public works or improvements—Minority business, employees—Contract, contents.
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All contracts by and between a first-class city and contractors for any public work or improvement exceeding the sum of ten thousand dollars, or fifteen thousand dollars for construction of water mains, shall contain the following clause:"Contractor agrees that the contractor sha…
RCW 35.22.660 Child care facilities—Review of need and demand—Adoption of ordinances.
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If a first-class city zones pursuant to its inherent charter authority and not pursuant to chapter 35.63 RCW, and does not provide for the siting of family day care homes in zones or areas that are designated for single-family or other residential uses, and for the siting of mini…
RCW 35.22.680 Residential care facilities—Review of need and demand—Adoption of ordinances.
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If a first-class city zones pursuant to its inherent charter authority and not pursuant to chapter 35.63 RCW, and does not provide for the siting of residential care facilities in zones or areas that are designated for single-family or other residential uses, the city shall condu…
RCW 35.22.685 Conditional and special use permit applications by parties licensed or certified by the department of social and health services or the department of corrections—Mediation prior to appeal required.
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A final decision by a hearing examiner involving a conditional or special use permit application under a home rule charter that is requested by a party that is licensed or certified by the department of social and health services or the department of corrections is subject to med…
RCW 35.22.690 First-class cities subject to limitations on moratoria, interim zoning controls.
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A first-class city that plans under the authority of its charter is subject to the provisions of RCW 35.63.200.[ 1992 c 207 s 2.]
RCW 35.22.695 Planning regulations—Copies provided to county assessor.
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By July 31, 1997, a first-class city planning under RCW 36.70A.040 shall provide to the county assessor a copy of the first-class city's comprehensive plan and development regulations in effect on July 1st of that year and shall thereafter provide any amendments to the plan and r…
RCW 35.22.700 Conformance with chapter 43.97 RCW required.
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With respect to the National Scenic Area, as defined in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act, P.L. 99-663, the exercise of any power or authority by a city pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to and in conformity with the requirements of chapter 43.97 RCW, incl…
RCW 35.22.705 Purchase of electric power and energy from joint operating agency.
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A city of the first class may contract to purchase from a joint operating agency electric power and energy required for its present or future requirements. For projects the output of which is limited to qualified alternative energy resources as defined by RCW 19.29A.090(3), the c…
RCW 35.22.900 Liberal construction.
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The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this chapter, but the same shall be liberally construed for the purpose of carrying out the objects for which this chapter is intended.[ 1965 c 7 s 35.22.900. Prior: 1…
RCW 35.23.010 Rights, powers, and privileges—Exchange of park purpose property.
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Every city of the second class shall be entitled "City of . . . . . ." (naming it), and by such name shall have perpetual succession; may sue and be sued in all courts and in all proceedings; shall have and use a common seal which it may alter at pleasure; may acquire, hold, leas…
RCW 35.23.021 City officers enumerated—Compensation—Appointment and removal.
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The government of a second-class city shall be vested in a mayor, a city council of seven members, a city attorney, a clerk, a treasurer, all elective; and a chief of police, municipal judge, city engineer, street superintendent, health officer and such other appointive officers …
RCW 35.23.031 Eligibility to hold elective office.
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No person is eligible to hold an elective office in a second-class city unless the person is a resident and registered voter in the city.[ 1997 c 361 s 7.]
RCW 35.23.051 Elections—Terms of office—Positions and wards.
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General municipal elections in second-class cities shall be held biennially in the odd-numbered years and shall be subject to general election law.The terms of office of the mayor, city attorney, clerk, and treasurer shall be four years and until their successors are elected and …
RCW 35.23.081 Oath and bond of officers.
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In a city of the second class, the treasurer, city attorney, clerk, chief of police, and such other officers as the council may require shall each, before entering upon the duties of office, take an oath of office and execute and file with the clerk an official bond in such penal…
RCW 35.23.091 Compensation of officers—Expenses—Nonstate pensions.
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The mayor and the members of the city council may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties, upon presentation of a claim therefor, after allowance and approval thereof, by resolution of the city council; and each city councilmember may …
RCW 35.23.101 Vacancies.
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(1) The council of a second-class city may declare a council position vacant if the councilmember is absent for three consecutive regular meetings without permission of the council. (2) A vacancy in an elective office shall occur and shall be filled as provided in chapter 42.12 R…
RCW 35.23.111 City attorney—Duties.
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The city attorney shall advise the city authorities and officers in all legal matters pertaining to the business of the city and shall approve all ordinances as to form. He or she shall represent the city in all actions brought by or against the city or against city officials in …
RCW 35.23.121 City clerk—Duties—Deputies.
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The city clerk shall keep a full and true record of every act and proceeding of the city council and keep such books, accounts and make such reports as may be required by the state auditor. The city clerk shall record all ordinances, annexing thereto his or her certificate giving…
RCW 35.23.131 City treasurer—Duties.
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The city treasurer shall receive and safely keep all money which comes into his or her hands as treasurer, for all of which he or she shall execute triplicate receipts, one to be filed with the city clerk. He or she shall receive all money due the city and disburse it on warrants…
RCW 35.23.134 Association of sheriffs and police chiefs.
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See chapter 36.28A RCW.
RCW 35.23.141 Duty of officers collecting moneys.
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Every officer collecting or receiving any money belonging to or for the use of the city shall settle with the clerk and immediately pay it into the treasury on the order of the clerk to be credited to the fund to which it belongs.[ 1965 c 7 s 35.24.140. Prior: 1915 c 184 s 30; 18…
RCW 35.23.142 Combination of offices of treasurer with clerk—Authorized.
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The city council of any city of the second class is authorized to provide by ordinance that the office of treasurer shall be combined with that of clerk, or that the office of clerk shall be combined with that of treasurer: PROVIDED, That such ordinance shall not be voted upon un…
RCW 35.23.144 Combination of offices of treasurer with clerk—Powers of clerk.
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In the event that the office of treasurer is combined with the office of clerk so as to become the office of clerk-treasurer, the clerk shall exercise all the powers vested in and perform all the duties required to be performed by the treasurer, and in cases where the law require…
RCW 35.23.146 Combination of offices of treasurer with clerk—Powers of treasurer.
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In the event that the office of clerk is combined with the office of treasurer so as to become the office of treasurer-clerk, the treasurer shall exercise all the powers vested in and perform all the duties required to be performed by the clerk.[ 1969 c 116 s 5. Formerly RCW 35.2…
RCW 35.23.148 Combination of offices of treasurer with clerk—Ordinance—Termination of combined offices.
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The ordinance provided for combining said offices shall provide the date when the combination shall become effective, which date shall not be less than three months from the date when the ordinance becomes effective; and on and after said date the office of treasurer or clerk, as…
RCW 35.23.161 Chief of police and police department.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5974-S2.SL) ***The department of police in a city of the second class shall be under the direction and control of the chief of police subject to the direction of the mayor. Any police officer may pursue and arrest violators of city ordinances beyond th…
RCW 35.23.170 Park commissioners.
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Councils of second-class cities and towns may provide by ordinance, for a board of park commissioners, not to exceed seven in number, to be appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the city council, from citizens of recognized fitness for such position. No commissioner shall r…
RCW 35.23.181 City council—Oath—Meetings.
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The city council and mayor shall meet in January next succeeding the date of each general municipal election, and shall take the oath of office, and shall hold regular meetings at least once during each month but not to exceed one regular meeting in each week, at such times as ma…
RCW 35.23.191 City council—Mayor pro tempore.
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The members of the city council, at their first meeting each calendar year and thereafter whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor pro tempore, shall elect from among their number a mayor pro tempore, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the council and in case of the…
RCW 35.23.201 City council—Meetings—Journal.
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All meetings of the council shall be presided over by the mayor, or, in the mayor's absence, by the mayor pro tempore. The mayor shall have a vote only in the case of a tie in the votes of the councilmembers. If the clerk is absent from a council meeting, the mayor or mayor pro t…