Title 36 — Title 36 COUNTIES
97 chapters · 1,831 sections in this title.
RCW 36.53.030 To whom license granted—Notice of intention if nonowner.
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No license shall be granted to any person other than the owner of the land embracing or adjoining the lake or stream where the ferry is proposed to be kept, unless the owner neglects to apply therefor. Whenever application for a license is made by any person other than the owner,…
RCW 36.53.040 Notice of application to be posted.
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Every person intending to apply for a license to keep a ferry at any place shall give notice of his or her intention by posting up at least three notices in public places in the neighborhood where the ferry is proposed to be kept, twenty days prior to any regular session of the b…
RCW 36.53.050 Bond of licensee.
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Every person applying for a license to keep a ferry shall, before the same is issued, enter into a bond with one or more sureties, to be approved by the county auditor, in a sum not less than one hundred nor more than five hundred dollars, conditioned that such person will keep t…
RCW 36.53.060 Duties of licensee.
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Every person obtaining a license to keep a ferry shall provide and keep in good and complete repair the necessary boat or boats for the safe conveyance of all persons and property, and furnish such boats at all times with suitable oars, setting poles, and other implements necessa…
RCW 36.53.070 Duties of licensee—Duties as to ferriage—Liability for nonperformance.
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Every person obtaining a ferry license shall give constant and diligent attention to such ferry from daylight in the morning until dark in the evening of each day, and shall, moreover, at any hour in the night, if required, except in cases of imminent danger, give passage to all …
RCW 36.53.080 Rates of ferriage.
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Whenever the board of county commissioners grants a license to keep a ferry across any lake or stream, it shall establish the rates of ferriage which may be lawfully demanded for the transportation of persons and property across the same, having due regard for the breadth and sit…
RCW 36.53.090 Commissioners may fix and alter rates.
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The boards of county commissioners may fix, alter, and establish from time to time, the rates of ferriage to be levied and collected at all ferries established by law, within or bordering upon the county lines of any of the counties in this state.[ 1963 c 4 s 36.53.090. Prior: Co…
RCW 36.53.100 Rates to be posted.
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Every person licensed to keep a ferry shall post up, in some conspicuous place near his or her ferry landing a list of the rates of ferriage which are chargeable by law at such ferry, which list of rates shall at all times be plain and legible and posted up so near the place wher…
RCW 36.53.110 Order of ferriage—Liability for nonperformance.
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All persons shall be received into the ferry boats and conveyed across the stream over which a ferry is established according to their arrival thereat, and if the keeper of a ferry acts contrary to this regulation, the keeper shall forfeit and pay to the party aggrieved the sum o…
RCW 36.53.120 Grant exclusive.
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Every person licensed to keep a ferry under the provisions of RCW 36.53.010 through 36.53.140 shall have the exclusive privilege of transporting all persons and property over and across the stream where the ferry is established, and shall be entitled to all the fare arising by la…
RCW 36.53.130 Revocation of license.
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If any person licensed to keep a ferry fails to pay the taxes assessed thereon when due, or to provide and keep in good and complete repair the necessary boat or boats, with the oars, setting poles, and other necessary implements for the service thereof, or to employ a sufficient…
RCW 36.53.140 Penalty for maintaining unlicensed ferry.
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Any person who maintains any ferry and receives ferriage without first obtaining a license therefor shall pay a fine of ten dollars for each offense, to be collected for the use of the county, by suit before any district judge having jurisdiction, and any person may bring such su…
RCW 36.53.150 Interstate ferry—County may contribute to—Grant of permit to operator.
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Whenever the board of county commissioners of any county determines that the construction or maintenance of a ferry in a state adjoining such county or connecting such county with the adjoining state is of necessity or convenience to the citizens of the county, the board may ente…
RCW 36.54.010 County may acquire, construct, maintain, and operate ferry.
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Any county may construct, condemn, or purchase, operate and maintain ferries or wharves at any unfordable stream, lake, estuary or bay within or bordering on said county, or between portions of the county, or between such county and other counties, together with all the necessary…
RCW 36.54.015 Ferries—Fourteen year long range improvement plan—Contents.
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The legislative authority of every county operating ferries shall prepare, with the advice and assistance of the county engineer, a fourteen year long range capital improvement plan embracing all major elements of the ferry system. Such plan shall include a listing of each major …
RCW 36.54.020 Joint ferries—Generally.
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The board of county commissioners of any county may, severally or jointly with any other county, city or town, or the state of Washington, or any other state or any county, city or town of any other state, construct or acquire by purchase, gift, or condemnation, and operate any f…
RCW 36.54.030 Joint ferries over water boundary between two counties.
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Whenever a river, lake, or other body of water is on the boundary line between two counties, the boards of county commissioners of the counties adjoining such stream or body of water may construct, purchase, equip, maintain, and operate a ferry across such river, lake, or other b…
RCW 36.54.040 Joint ferries over water boundary between two counties—Joint board of commissioners to administer—Records kept.
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The boards of county commissioners of the two counties, participating in a joint ferry, shall meet in joint session at the county seat of one of the counties interested, and shall elect one of their members as chair of the joint board of commissioners, who shall act as such chair…
RCW 36.54.050 Joint ferries over water boundary between two counties—Commission authority—Expenses shared.
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The joint commission is authorized to transact all business necessary in carrying out the purposes of RCW 36.54.030 through 36.54.070 and its acts shall be binding upon the two counties, and one-half of all bills and obligations created by the commission shall be binding and a le…
RCW 36.54.060 Joint ferries over water boundary between two counties—Audit and allowance of claims.
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All claims and accounts for the construction, operation and maintenance of a joint county ferry shall be presented to and audited by the joint commission: PROVIDED, That items of expense connected with the operation of such ferry which do not exceed the sum of thirty dollars may …
RCW 36.54.070 Joint ferries over water boundary between two counties—County commissioner duties enumerated—Omission as ground for impeachment.
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The members of the board of county commissioners of each county shall be members of the joint commission and their refusal to act shall be ground for impeachment. They shall provide for the maintenance and operation of the ferry until it is discontinued by a majority vote of the …
RCW 36.54.110 County ferry districts—Authorized—Powers—Governing body—Passenger-only ferry service between Vashon and Seattle.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2588.SL) ***(1) The legislative authority of a county may adopt an ordinance creating a ferry district in all or a portion of the area of the county, including the area within the corporate limits of any city or town within the county. The ordinance ma…
RCW 36.54.120 County ferry districts—District may construct, purchase, operate, and maintain passenger-only ferries and wharves.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2588.SL) ***A ferry district may construct, purchase, operate, and maintain passenger-only ferries or wharves at any unfordable stream, lake, estuary, or bay within or bordering the ferry district, or between portions of the ferry district, or between …
RCW 36.54.130 County ferry districts—Tax levy authorized—Uses.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2588.SL) ***(1) To carry out the purposes for which ferry districts are created, the governing body of a ferry district may levy each year an ad valorem tax on all taxable property located in the district not to exceed seventy-five cents per thousand d…
RCW 36.54.135 County ferry districts—General indebtedness, bond issuance.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2588.SL) ***(1) A county ferry district may incur general indebtedness, and issue general obligation bonds, to finance the construction, purchase, and preservation of passenger-only ferries and associated terminals and retire the indebtedness in whole …
RCW 36.54.140 County ferry districts—Excess levies.
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A ferry district may impose excess levies upon the property included within the district for a one-year period to be used for operating or capital purposes whenever authorized by the electors of the district under RCW 84.52.052 and Article VII, section 2(a) of the state Constitut…
RCW 36.54.150 County ferry districts—Budget of fund requirements.
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The governing body of the ferry district shall annually prepare a budget of the requirements of each district fund.[ 2003 c 83 s 305.]Notes:Findings—Intent—Captions, part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2003 c 83: See notes following RCW 36.57A.200.
RCW 36.54.160 County ferry districts—General property tax levies.
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At the time of making general tax levies in each year, the county legislative authority of the county in which a ferry district is located shall make the required levies for district purposes against the real and personal property in the district. The tax levies must be a part of…
RCW 36.54.170 County ferry districts—Treasurer—Ferry district fund.
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(1) The treasurer of the county in which a ferry district is located shall be treasurer of the district. The county treasurer shall receive and disburse ferry district revenues, collect taxes authorized and levied under this chapter, and credit district revenues to the proper fun…
RCW 36.54.180 County ferry districts—Not subject to Washington utilities and transportation commission.
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A ferry district is exempt from the provisions of Title 81 RCW and is not subject to the control of the Washington utilities and transportation commission. It is not necessary for a ferry district to apply for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.[ 2003 c 83 s 308.]N…
RCW 36.54.190 County ferry districts—Dissolution.
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A ferry district formed under this chapter may be dissolved in the manner provided in chapter 53.48 RCW, relating to port districts.[ 2003 c 83 s 309.]Notes:Findings—Intent—Captions, part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2003 c 83: See notes following RCW 36.57A.200.
RCW 36.54.200 Vessel replacement surcharge—Use of revenues.
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A county or ferry district operating ferries under this chapter may impose a vessel replacement surcharge on every ferry fare sold. The surcharge must be at least equal to the surcharge amount included in Washington state ferry fares identified in RCW 47.60.315(7). Revenues gener…
RCW 36.55.010 Pipe line and wire line franchises on county roads.
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Any board of county commissioners may grant franchises to persons or private or municipal corporations to use the right-of-way of county roads in their respective counties for the construction and maintenance of waterworks, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph, and electric light line…
RCW 36.55.020 Cattleguards, tramroad, and railway rights.
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Any board of county commissioners may grant to any person the right to build and maintain tramroads and railway roads upon county roads under such regulations and conditions as the board may prescribe, and may grant to any person the right to build and maintain cattleguards acros…
RCW 36.55.030 Franchises on county bridges.
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Any board of county commissioners may grant franchises upon bridges, trestles, or other structures constructed and maintained by it, severally or jointly with any other county or city or town of this state, or jointly with any other state or any county, city or town of any other …
RCW 36.55.040 Application—Notice of hearing.
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On application being made to the county legislative authority for franchise, it shall fix a time and place for hearing the same, and shall cause the county auditor to give public notice thereof at the expense of the applicant, by posting notices in three public places in the coun…
RCW 36.55.050 Hearing—Order.
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The hearing may be adjourned from time to time by the order of the board of county commissioners. If, after the hearing, the board deems it to be for the public interest to grant the franchise in whole or in part, it may make and enter a resolution to that effect and may require …
RCW 36.55.060 Limitations upon grants.
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(1) Any person constructing or operating any utility on or along a county road shall be liable to the county for all necessary expense incurred in restoring the county road to a suitable condition for travel.(2) No franchise shall be granted for a period of longer than fifty year…
RCW 36.55.070 Existing franchises validated.
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All rights, privileges, or franchises granted or attempted to be granted by the board of county commissioners of any county prior to April 1, 1937, when such board of county commissioners was in regular or special session and when the action of such board is shown by its records,…
RCW 36.55.080 Record of franchises.
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The board of county commissioners shall cause to be recorded with the county auditor a complete record of all existing franchises upon the county roads of its county and the auditor shall keep and maintain a currently correct record of all franchises existing or granted with the …
RCW 36.56.010 Assumption of rights, powers, functions, and obligations authorized.
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Any county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more in which a metropolitan municipal corporation has been established pursuant to chapter 35.58 RCW with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the county may by ordinance or resolution, as the case may be, of t…
RCW 36.56.020 Ordinance or resolution of intention to assume rights, powers, functions, and obligations—Adoption—Publication—Hearing.
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The assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation may be initiated by the adoption of an ordinance or a resolution, as the case may be, by the county legislative authority indicating its intention to conduct a hearing concern…
RCW 36.56.030 Hearing.
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At the time scheduled for the hearing in the ordinance or resolution of intention, the county legislative authority shall consider the assumption of the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, and hear those appearing and all protests…
RCW 36.56.040 Declaration of intention to assume—Submission of ordinance or resolution to voters required—Extent of rights, powers, functions, and obligations assumed and vested in county—Abolition of metropolitan council—Transfer of rights, powers, functions, and obligations to county.
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If, from the testimony given before the county legislative authority, it appears that the public interest or welfare would be satisfied by the county assuming the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation, the county legislative authorit…
RCW 36.56.050 Employees and personnel.
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All employees and personnel of the metropolitan municipal corporation who are under a personnel system pursuant to RCW 35.58.370 shall be assigned to the county personnel system to perform their usual duties upon the same terms as formerly, without any loss of rights, subject to …
RCW 36.56.060 Apportionment of budgeted funds—Transfer and adjustment of funds, accounts and records.
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If apportionments of budgeted funds are required because of the transfers authorized by this chapter, the county budget office shall certify such apportionments to the agencies and local governmental units affected and to the state auditor. Each of these shall make the appropriat…
RCW 36.56.070 Existing rights, actions, proceedings, etc. not impaired or altered.
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No transfer of any function made pursuant to this chapter shall be construed to impair or alter any existing rights acquired under the provisions of chapter 35.58 RCW or any other provision of law relating to metropolitan municipal corporations, nor as impairing or altering any a…
RCW 36.56.080 Collective bargaining units or agreements.
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Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until any such agreement has expired or until any such bargaining unit has been modified as provided by law.[ 19…
RCW 36.56.090 Rules and regulations, pending business, contracts, obligations, validity of official acts.
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All rules and regulations, and all pending business before the committees, divisions, boards, and other agencies of any metropolitan municipal corporation transferred pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be continued and acted upon by the county.All existing contracts…
RCW 36.56.100 Real and personal property—Reports, books, records, etc.—Funds, credits, assets—Appropriations or federal grants.
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When the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation are transferred pursuant to this chapter, all real and personal property owned by the metropolitan municipal corporation shall become that of the county.All reports, documents, surveys, bo…