title: RCW 57.24.070

text:
As an alternative method of annexation, a petition for annexation of an area contiguous to a district may be made in writing, addressed to and filed with the board of commissioners of the district to which annexation is desired. It must be signed by the owners, according to the records of the county auditor, of not less than sixty percent of the area of land for which annexation is petitioned, excluding county and state rights-of-way, parks, tidelands, lakes, retention ponds, and stream and water courses. Additionally, the petition shall set forth a description of the property according to government legal subdivisions or legal plats, and shall be accompanied by a plat which outlines the boundaries of the property sought to be annexed. Those county and state properties shall be excluded from local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts in the annexed area and from special assessments, rates, or charges of the district except where service has been regulated and provided to such properties. The owners of such property shall be invited to be included within local improvement districts or utility local improvement districts at the time they are proposed for formation.
[ 1996 c 230 s 906; 1985 c 141 s 8; 1953 c 251 s 18.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition method—Petition—Signers—Content—Certain public properties excluded from local improvement districts.


doc_type: statute

jurisdiction: wa

title: RCW 57.24.080

text:
If the petition for annexation filed with the board of commissioners complies with the requirements of law, as proved to the satisfaction of the board of commissioners, it may entertain the petition, fix the date for public hearing thereon, and cause notice of the hearing to be published in one issue of a newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed to be annexed and also posted in three public places within the area proposed for annexation. The notice shall specify the time and place of hearing and invite interested persons to appear and voice approval or disapproval of the annexation. The expense of publication and posting of the notice shall be borne by the signers of the petition.
[ 1953 c 251 s 19.]

license: public-domain-government-work

rule_set: Revised Code of Washington

catchline: Petition method—Hearing—Notice.

code: rcw

unit: section

court: Washington State Legislature


title: RCW 57.24.090

text:
Following the hearing the board of commissioners shall determine by resolution whether annexation shall be made. It may annex all or any portion of the proposed area but may not include in the annexation any property not described in the petition. Upon passage of the resolution a certified copy shall be filed with the legislative authority of the county in which the annexed property is located.
[ 1996 c 230 s 907; 1953 c 251 s 20.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition method—Resolution providing for annexation.


title: RCW 57.24.100

text:
Upon the date fixed in the resolution the area annexed shall become a part of the district.
No property within the limits of the territory so annexed shall ever be taxed or assessed to pay any portion of the indebtedness of the district to which it is annexed contracted prior to or existing at the date of annexation; nor shall any such property be released from any taxes or assessments levied against it or from liability for payment of outstanding bonds or warrants issued prior to such annexation.
[ 1953 c 251 s 21.]

catchline: Petition method—Effective date of annexation—Prior indebtedness.


title: RCW 57.24.170

text:
When there is, within a district, unincorporated territory containing less than one hundred acres and having at least eighty percent of the boundaries of such area contiguous to the district, the board of commissioners may resolve to annex that territory to the district. The resolution shall describe the boundaries of the area to be annexed, state the number of voters residing therein as nearly as may be, and set a date for a public hearing on such resolution for annexation. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication of the resolution at least once a week for two weeks prior to the date of the hearing, in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the district and one or more newspapers of general circulation within the area to be annexed.
[ 1996 c 230 s 908; 1982 c 146 s 4.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Annexation of certain unincorporated territory—Authorized—Hearing.


title: RCW 57.24.180

text:
On the date set for hearing under RCW 57.24.170, residents or property owners of the area included in the resolution for annexation shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard. The board of commissioners may provide by resolution for annexation of the territory described in the resolution, but the effective date of the resolution shall be not less than forty-five days after the passage thereof. The board of commissioners shall cause notice of the proposed effective date of the annexation, together with a description of the property to be annexed, to be published at least once each week for two weeks subsequent to passage of the resolution, in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the district and in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the area to be annexed. Upon the filing of a timely and sufficient referendum petition under RCW 57.24.190, a referendum election shall be held under RCW 57.24.190, and the annexation shall be deemed approved by the voters unless a majority of the votes cast on the proposition are in opposition thereto. After the expiration of the forty-fifth day from but excluding the date of passage of the annexation resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, under RCW 57.24.190, the area annexed shall become a part of the district upon the date fixed in the resolution of annexation.
[ 1996 c 230 s 909; 1982 c 146 s 5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Annexation of certain unincorporated territory—Opportunity to be heard—Effective date of annexation resolution—Notice—Referendum.


title: RCW 57.24.190

text:
The annexation resolution under RCW 57.24.180 shall be subject to referendum for forty-five days after the passage thereof. Upon the filing of a timely and sufficient referendum petition with the board of commissioners, signed by registered voters in number equal to not less than ten percent of the registered voters in the area to be annexed who voted in the last municipal general election, the question of annexation shall be submitted to the voters of such area in a general election if one is to be held within ninety days or at a special election called for that purpose by the board of commissioners in accordance with RCW 29A.04.321 and 29A.04.330. Notice of that election shall be given under RCW 57.24.020 and the election shall be conducted under RCW 57.24.040. The annexation shall be deemed approved by the voters unless a majority of the votes cast on the proposition are in opposition thereto.
After the expiration of the forty-fifth day from but excluding the date of passage of the annexation resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, the area annexed shall become a part of the district upon the date fixed in the resolution of annexation upon transmitting the resolution to the county legislative authority.
[ 2015 c 53 s 90; 1996 c 230 s 910; 1990 c 259 s 32; 1982 c 146 s 6.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Annexation of certain unincorporated territory—Referendum authorized—Petition—Election—Effective date of annexation.


title: RCW 57.24.200

text:
A district may expend funds to inform residents in areas proposed for annexation into the district of the following:
(1) Technical information and data;
(2) The fiscal impact of the proposed improvement; and
(3) The types of improvements planned.
Expenditures under this section shall be limited to research, preparation, printing, and mailing of the information.
[ 1996 c 230 s 911; 1986 c 258 s 2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Expenditure of funds to provide certain information authorized—Limits.


title: RCW 57.24.210

text:
When there is unincorporated territory containing less than one hundred acres and having at least eighty percent of the boundaries of such area contiguous to two municipal corporations providing either water or sewer service, one of which is a water-sewer district, the legislative authority of either of the contiguous municipal corporations may resolve to annex such territory to that municipal corporation, provided a majority of the legislative authority of the other contiguous municipal corporation concurs. In such event, the municipal corporation resolving to annex such territory may proceed to effect the annexation by complying with RCW 57.24.170 through 57.24.190. For purposes of this section, "municipal corporation" means a water-sewer district, city, or town.
[ 2002 c 76 s 1; 1996 c 230 s 912; 1995 c 279 s 2; 1987 c 449 s 17.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Annexation of certain unincorporated territory with boundaries contiguous to two municipal corporations providing water or sewer service—Procedure.


title: RCW 57.24.220

text:
A district assuming responsibility for a water system that is not in compliance with state or federal requirements for public drinking water systems, and its agents and employees, are immune from lawsuits or causes of action, based on noncompliance with state or federal requirements for public drinking water systems, which predate the date of assuming responsibility and continue after the date of assuming responsibility, provided that the district has submitted and is complying with a plan and schedule of improvements approved by the department of health. This immunity shall expire on the earlier of the date the plan of improvements is completed or four years from the date of assuming responsibility. This immunity does not apply to intentional injuries, fraud, or bad faith.
[ 1996 c 230 s 913; 1994 c 292 s 8.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Findings—Intent—1994 c 292: See note following RCW 57.04.050.

catchline: Assumption of substandard water system—Limited immunity from liability.


title: RCW 57.24.230

text:
(1) If a district acquires either water facilities or sewer facilities, or both from a city, and the district and the city within which the facilities are located enter into an agreement stating that the district will seek annexation of territory within that city, the district commissioners may initiate a process for the annexation of such territory.
(2) The annexation process shall commence upon the adoption of a resolution by the commissioners calling for the question of annexation to be submitted to the voters of the territory proposed for annexation and setting forth the boundaries thereof. The resolution must be filed with the county legislative authority of each county in which the territory proposed for annexation is located.
(3) Upon receipt of the resolution, the county legislative authority shall cause a hearing to be held as provided in RCW 57.24.240.
[ 2007 c 31 s 1.]

catchline: Annexation of territory within cities—Authorized—Process.


title: RCW 57.24.240

text:
(1) If a resolution calling for an annexation election as provided in RCW 57.24.230 is presented for hearing, the legislative authority of each county in which the territory proposed for annexation is located shall hear the resolution or may adjourn and reconvene the hearing as deemed necessary for its purposes. The hearing, however, may not exceed four weeks in duration. Any person, firm, or corporation may appear before the legislative authority or authorities and make objections to the proposed boundary lines or to annexation of the territory described in the resolution.
(2) Upon a final hearing, each county legislative authority may make changes to the proposed boundary lines within the county as it deems proper and shall formally establish and define the boundaries. Each legislative authority also shall find whether the proposed annexation will be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience and whether it will be of special benefit to the land included within the boundaries of the proposed annexation. No lands that will not, in the judgment of the legislative authority, benefit by inclusion therein, may be included within the boundaries of the territory as established and defined. The legislative authority may not include within the territory proposed for annexation any territory outside of the boundary lines described in the resolution adopted by the district under RCW 57.24.230(2).
(3) Upon the entry of the findings of the final hearing, each county legislative authority, if it finds the proposed annexation satisfies the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, shall give notice of a special election to be held within the boundaries of the territory proposed for annexation for the purpose of determining whether the same shall be annexed to the district. The notice shall:
(a) Describe the boundaries established by the legislative authority;
(b) State the name of the district to which the territory is proposed to be annexed;
(c) Be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the territory proposed for annexation at least once a week for a minimum of two successive weeks prior to the election;
(d) Be posted for the same period in at least four public places within the boundaries of the territory proposed for annexation; and
(e) Designate the places within the territory proposed for annexation where the election shall be held.
(4) The proposition to the voters shall be expressed on ballots containing the words:
For Annexation to District
or
Against Annexation to District
The county legislative authority shall name the persons to act as judges at that election.
[ 2007 c 31 s 2.]

catchline: Annexation of territory within cities—Hearing procedure—Election notice.


title: RCW 57.24.250

text:
(1) The annexation election shall be held on the date designated in the notice and shall be conducted in accordance with the general election laws of the state. Qualified voters residing within the territory proposed for annexation shall be permitted to vote at the election.
(2) If the majority of the votes cast upon the question of such election are for annexation, the territory concerned shall immediately be deemed annexed to the district and the same shall then forthwith be a part of the district, the same as though originally included in that district.
[ 2007 c 31 s 3.]

catchline: Annexation of territory within cities—Election.


title: RCW 57.24.260

text:
The method of annexation provided for in RCW 57.24.230 through 57.24.250 is an alternative method and is additional to other methods provided for in this chapter.
[ 2007 c 31 s 4.]

catchline: Annexation of territory within cities—Alternative method.


title: RCW 57.28.001

text:
Actions taken under this chapter may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1001; 1989 c 84 s 59.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Actions subject to review by boundary review board.


title: RCW 57.28.010

text:
Territory within a district may be withdrawn therefrom in the following manner and upon the following conditions: The petition for withdrawal shall be in writing and shall designate the boundaries of the territory proposed to be withdrawn from the district and shall be signed by at least twenty-five percent of the qualified voters residing within the territory so designated who are qualified voters on the date of filing such petition. The petition shall set forth that the territory proposed to be withdrawn is of such location or character that water and sewer services cannot be furnished to it by the district at reasonable cost, and shall further set forth that the withdrawal of such territory will be of benefit to such territory and conducive to the general welfare of the balance of the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1002; 1941 c 55 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Withdrawal authorized—Petition.


title: RCW 57.28.020

text:
The petition for withdrawal shall be filed with the county auditor of each county in which the district is located, and after the filing no person having signed the petition shall be allowed to withdraw the person's name therefrom. Within ten days after such filing, each county auditor shall examine and verify the signatures of signers residing in the respective county. The petition shall be transmitted to the auditor of the county in which all or the major geographic portion of the district is located, who shall certify to the sufficiency or insufficiency of the signatures. If the area proposed to be withdrawn is located in more than one county, the auditor of the county in which the largest geographic portion of the area proposed to be withdrawn is located shall be the lead auditor and shall immediately transfer a copy of the petitions to the auditor of each other county in which the area proposed to be withdrawn is located. Within ten days after the lead auditor received the petition, the auditors of these other counties shall certify to the lead auditor: (1) The number of voters of that county residing in the area proposed to be withdrawn who voted at the last municipal general election; and (2) the number of valid signatures on the petition of voters of that county residing in the area proposed to be withdrawn. The lead auditor shall certify the sufficiency of the petition after receiving this information. If such petition be found by such county auditor to contain sufficient signatures, the petition, together with a certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, shall be transmitted to the board of commissioners of the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1003; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 23; 1941 c 55 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition of residents.


title: RCW 57.28.030

text:
In the event there are no qualified voters residing within the territory proposed to be withdrawn, the petition for withdrawal may be signed by such persons as appear of record to own at least a majority of the acreage within such territory, in which event the petition shall also state the total number of acres and the names of all record owners of the land within such territory. The petition so signed shall be filed with the board of commissioners of the district, and after such filing no person having signed the same shall be allowed to withdraw that person's name.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1004; 1941 c 55 s 3; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-3.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Petition of landowners.


title: RCW 57.28.035

text:
As an alternative procedure to those set forth in RCW 57.28.010 through 57.28.030, the withdrawal of territory within a district may be commenced by a resolution of the board of commissioners that sets forth boundaries of the territory to be withdrawn and sets a date for the public hearing required under RCW 57.28.050. Upon the final hearing, the board of commissioners shall make such changes in the proposed boundaries as they deem proper, except that no changes in the boundary lines may be made by the board of commissioners to include lands not within the boundaries of the territory as described in such resolution.
Whenever the board of commissioners proposes to commence the withdrawal of any portion of its territory located within a city or town using the alternative procedures herein authorized, it shall first notify such city or town of their [its] intent to withdraw the territory. If the legislative authority of the city or town takes no action within sixty days of receipt of notification, the district may proceed with the resolution method.
If the city or town legislative authority disapproves of use of the alternative procedures, the board of commissioners may proceed using the process established under RCW 57.28.010 through 57.28.030.
A withdrawal procedure commenced under this section shall be subject to the procedures and requirements set forth in RCW 57.28.040 through 57.28.110.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1005; 1985 c 153 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Alternative procedure—Resolution.


title: RCW 57.28.040

text:
Upon receipt by the board of commissioners of a petition and certificate of sufficiency of the auditor, or if the petition is signed by landowners and the board of commissioners is satisfied as to the sufficiency of the signatures thereon, it shall at a regular or special meeting fix a date for hearing on the petition and give notice that the petition has been filed, stating the time and place of the meeting of the board of commissioners at which the petition will be heard and setting forth the boundaries of the territory proposed to be withdrawn. The notice shall be published at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation therein, and if no such newspaper is printed in the county, then in some newspaper of general circulation in the county and district. Any additional notice of the hearing may be given as the board of commissioners may by resolution direct.
Prior to fixing the time for a hearing on any such petition, the board of commissioners in its discretion may require the petitioners to furnish a satisfactory bond conditioned that the petitioners shall pay all costs incurred by the district in connection with the petition, including the cost of an election if one is held pursuant thereto, and should the petitioners fail or refuse to post such a bond, if one is required by the district board of commissioners, then there shall be no duty on the part of the board of commissioners to act upon the petition.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1006; 1985 c 469 s 59; 1951 c 112 s 3; 1941 c 55 s 4; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-4.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Notice of hearing—Bond for costs.


title: RCW 57.28.050

text:
The petition for withdrawal shall be heard at the time and place specified in such notice or the hearing may be adjourned from time to time, not exceeding one month in all, and any person may appear at such hearing and make objections to the withdrawal of such territory or to the proposed boundary lines thereof. Upon final hearing on the petition for withdrawal, the board of commissioners of the district shall make such changes in the proposed boundary lines as it deems to be proper, except that no changes in the boundary lines shall be made by the board of commissioners to include lands not within the boundaries of the territory as described in such petition. In establishing and defining such boundaries the board of commissioners shall exclude any property which is then being furnished with water, sewer, or drainage service by the district or which is included in any distribution or collection system the construction of which is included within any duly established local improvement district or utility local improvement district, and the territory as finally established and defined must be substantial in area and consist of adjoining or contiguous properties. The board of commissioners shall thereupon make and by resolution adopt findings of fact as to the following questions:
(1) Would the withdrawal of such territory be of benefit to such territory?
(2) Would such withdrawal be conducive to the general welfare of the balance of the district?
Such findings shall be entered in the records of the district, together with any recommendations the board of commissioners may by resolution adopt.
[ 1999 c 153 s 21; 1996 c 230 s 1007; 1986 c 109 s 1; 1941 c 55 s 5; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Hearing—Findings.


title: RCW 57.28.060

text:
Within ten days after the final hearing the board of commissioners of the district shall transmit to the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located the petition for withdrawal, together with a copy of the findings and recommendations of the board of commissioners of the district certified by the secretary of the district to be a true and correct copy of such findings and recommendations as the same appear on the records of the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1008; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 24; 1941 c 55 s 6; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-6.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Transmission to county legislative authorities.


title: RCW 57.28.070

text:
Upon receipt of the petition and certified copy of the findings and recommendations adopted by the district commissioners, the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located at a regular or special meeting shall fix a time and place for hearing thereon and shall cause to be published at least once a week for two or more weeks in successive issues of a newspaper of general circulation in the district, a notice that such petition has been presented to the county legislative authority stating the time and place of the hearing thereon, setting forth the boundaries of the territory proposed to be withdrawn as such boundaries are established and defined in the findings or recommendations of the board of commissioners of the district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1009; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 25; 1941 c 55 s 7; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-7.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Notice of hearing before county legislative authority.


title: RCW 57.28.080

text:
The petition shall be heard at the time and place specified in the notice, or the hearing may be adjourned from time to time, not exceeding one month in all, and any person may appear at the hearing and make objections to the withdrawal of the territory. Upon final hearing on the petition the county legislative authority shall thereupon make, enter, and by resolution adopt its findings of fact on the questions set forth in RCW 57.28.050. If the findings of fact answer the questions affirmatively, and if they are the same as the findings made by the district commissioners, then the county legislative authority shall by resolution declare that the territory be withdrawn from that district, and thereupon the territory shall be withdrawn and excluded from that district the same as if it had never been included therein except for the lien of taxes as hereinafter set forth. However, the boundaries of the territory withdrawn shall be the boundaries established and defined by the district board of commissioners and shall not be altered or changed by the county legislative authority unless the unanimous consent of the district commissioners be given in writing to any such alteration or change.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1010; 1941 c 55 s 8; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-8.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.


title: RCW 57.28.090

text:
If the findings of any county legislative authority answer any of the questions of fact set forth in RCW 57.28.050 in the negative, or if any of the findings of the county legislative authority are not the same as the findings of the district board of commissioners upon the same question, then in either of such events, the petition for withdrawal shall be deemed denied. Thereupon, and in such event, the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located shall by resolution cause a special election to be held not less than thirty days or more than sixty days from the date of the final hearing of any county legislative authority upon the petition for withdrawal, at which election the proposition expressed on the ballots shall be substantially as follows:
"Shall the territory established and defined by the district board of commissioners at its meeting held on the . . . . . . (insert date of final hearing of district board of commissioners upon the petition for withdrawal) be withdrawn from district . . . . . . (naming it).
YES □
NO □"
[ 1996 c 230 s 1011; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 26; 1941 c 55 s 9; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-9.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Election on withdrawal.


title: RCW 57.28.100

text:
Notice of the election shall be posted and published in the same manner provided by law for the posting and publication of notice of elections to annex territory to districts. The territory described in the notice shall be that established and defined by the district board of commissioners. All qualified voters residing within the district shall have the right to vote at the election. If a majority of the votes cast favor the withdrawal from the district of such territory, then within ten days after the official canvass of the election the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located shall by resolution establish that the territory has been withdrawn, and the territory shall thereupon be withdrawn and excluded from the district the same as if it had never been included therein except for the lien of any taxes as hereinafter set forth.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1012; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 27; 1941 c 55 s 10; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-10.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Notice of election—Election—Canvass.


title: RCW 57.28.110

text:
Taxes or assessments levied or assessed against property located in territory withdrawn from a district shall remain a lien and be collected as by law provided when the taxes or assessments are levied or assessed prior to the withdrawal or when the levies or assessments are duly made to provide revenue for the payment of general obligations or general obligation bonds of the district duly incurred or issued prior to the withdrawal.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1013; 1941 c 55 s 11; Rem. Supp. 1941 s 11604-11.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Taxes and assessments unaffected.


title: RCW 57.32.001

text:
Actions taken under this chapter may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1101; 1989 c 84 s 60.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.


title: RCW 57.32.010

text:
Two or more districts may be joined into one consolidated district. The consolidation may be initiated in either of the following ways: (1) Ten percent of the voters residing within each of the districts proposed to be consolidated may petition the board of commissioners of their respective districts to cause the question to be submitted to the voters of the districts proposed to be consolidated; or (2) the board of commissioners of each of the districts proposed to be consolidated may by resolution determine that the consolidation of the districts shall be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience and to be of special benefit to the lands of the districts.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1102; 1989 c 308 s 11; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 28; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 1; 1943 c 267 s 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-20.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Consolidation authorized—Petition method—Resolution method.


title: RCW 57.32.020

text:
If the consolidation proceedings are initiated by petitions, upon the filing of such petitions with the boards of commissioners of the districts, the boards of commissioners of each district shall file such petitions with the auditor of the county in which all or the largest geographic portion of the respective districts is located, who shall within ten days examine and verify the signatures of the signers residing in the county. If the districts proposed to be consolidated include areas located in more than one county, the auditor of the county in which the largest geographic portion of the consolidating districts is located shall be the lead auditor and shall immediately transfer a copy of the petitions to the auditor of each other county in which the consolidating districts are located. Within ten days after the lead auditor received the petition, the auditors of these other counties shall certify to the lead auditor: (1) The number of voters of that county residing in each consolidating district; and (2) the number of valid signatures on the petition of voters of that county residing in each consolidating district. The lead auditor shall certify the sufficiency of the petition after receiving this information. If all of such petitions shall be found to contain a sufficient number of signatures, the county auditor shall transmit the same, together with a certificate of sufficiency attached thereto, to the board of commissioners of each of the districts proposed for consolidation.
If there are no voters residing in one or more of the districts proposed to be consolidated, such petitions may be signed by such a number of landowners as appear of record to own at least a majority of the acreage in the pertinent district, and the petitions shall disclose the total number of acres of land in that district and shall also contain the names of all record owners of land therein.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1103; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 30; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 2; 1943 c 267 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-21.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Certificate of sufficiency.


title: RCW 57.32.021

text:
Upon receipt by the boards of commissioners of the districts proposed for consolidation, hereinafter referred to as the "consolidating districts", of the lead county auditor's certificate of sufficiency of the petitions, or upon adoption by the boards of commissioners of the consolidating districts of their resolutions for consolidation, the boards of commissioners of the consolidating districts shall, within ninety days, enter into an agreement providing for consolidation. The agreement shall set forth the method and manner of consolidation, a comprehensive plan or scheme of water supply, sewer, and drainage services for the consolidated district, and if the comprehensive plan or scheme of water supply, sewer, and drainage services provides that one or more of the consolidating districts or the proposed consolidated district issue revenue bonds for either the construction or other costs of any part or all of the comprehensive plan, or both, then the details thereof shall be set forth. The requirement that a comprehensive plan or scheme of water supply, sewer, and drainage services for the consolidated district be set forth in the agreement for consolidation shall be satisfied if the existing comprehensive plans or schemes of the consolidating districts are incorporated therein by reference and any changes or additions thereto are set forth in detail.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1104; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 8.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Procedure upon receipt of certificate of sufficiency—Agreement, contents—Comprehensive plan.


title: RCW 57.32.022

text:
The boards of commissioners of the consolidating districts shall certify the agreement to the county auditors of the respective counties in which the districts are located. A special election shall be called by the county auditors for the purpose of submitting to the voters of each of the consolidating districts the proposition of whether or not the several districts shall be consolidated into one district. The proposition shall give the title of the proposed consolidated district. Notice of the election shall be given and the election conducted in accordance with the general election laws.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1105; 1994 c 223 s 71; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 31; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 9.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Certification of agreement—Election, notice and conduct.


title: RCW 57.32.023

text:
If at the election a majority of the voters in each of the consolidating districts vote in favor of the consolidation, the consolidation shall be authorized. The consolidation shall be effective and the consolidating districts shall cease to exist and shall then be and become a new district and municipal corporation of the state of Washington, upon the certification of the election results. The name of the new district shall be ". . . . . Water-Sewer District," ". . . . . Water District," ". . . . . Sewer District," or ". . . . . District No. . . . . .," which shall be the name appearing on the ballot. The district shall have all and every power, right, and privilege possessed by other water-sewer, sewer, or water districts of the state of Washington. The district may issue revenue bonds to pay for the construction of any additions and betterments set forth in the comprehensive plan of water supply, sewer, and drainage services contained in the agreement for consolidation and any future additions and betterments to the comprehensive plan of water supply, sewer, and drainage services, as its board of district commissioners shall by resolution adopt, without submitting a proposition therefor to the voters of the district.
[ 1999 c 153 s 22; 1996 c 230 s 1106; 1994 c 223 s 72; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 32; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 10.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: When consolidation effective—Cessation of former districts—Rights and powers of consolidated district.


title: RCW 57.32.024

text:
Upon the formation of any consolidated district, all funds, rights, and property, real and personal, of the former districts, shall vest in and become the property of the consolidated district. Unless the agreement for consolidation provides to the contrary, any outstanding indebtedness of any form, owed by the districts, shall remain the obligation of the area of the original debtor district and the board of commissioners of the consolidated district shall make such levies, assessments, or charges for service upon that area or the users therein as shall pay off the indebtedness at maturity.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1107; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 11.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Vesting of funds and property in consolidated district—Outstanding indebtedness.


title: RCW 57.32.130

text:
The commissioners of the districts consolidated into any new consolidated district shall become commissioners thereof until their respective terms of office expire or until they resign from office if the resignation is before the expiration of their terms of office. At each election of commissioners following the consolidation, only one position shall be filled, so that as the terms of office expire, the total number of commissioners in the consolidated district shall be reduced to three. However, if the agreement provides that the consolidated district eventually will be governed by a five-member board of commissioners, one commissioner shall be elected to a six-year term of office at the first district general election following the consolidation, two commissioners shall be elected to six-year terms of office at the second district general election following the consolidation, and two commissioners shall be elected to six-year terms of office at the third district general election following the consolidation.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1108; 1985 c 141 s 9; 1943 c 267 s 13; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 11604-32.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Commissioners—Number.


title: RCW 57.32.160

text:
A part of one district may be transferred into an adjacent district if the area can be better served thereby. Such transfer can be accomplished by a petition, directed to both districts, signed by the owners according to the records of the county auditor of not less than sixty percent of the area of land to be transferred. If a majority of the commissioners of each district approves the petition, copies of the approving resolutions shall be filed with the county legislative authority which shall act upon the petition as a proposed action in accordance with RCW 57.02.040.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1109; 1987 c 449 s 18.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Transfer of part of district—Procedure.


title: RCW 57.36.001

text:
Actions taken under this chapter may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1201; 1989 c 84 s 61.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Actions subject to review by boundary review board.


title: RCW 57.36.010

text:
Whenever one or more districts desire to merge into another district, the district or districts desiring to merge into the other district shall be referred to as the "merging district" or "merging districts" and the district into which the merging district or districts desire to merge shall be referred to as the "merger district." After the merger, the merger district shall survive under its original name or number.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1202; 1989 c 308 s 12; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 29; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 3; 1961 c 28 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Merger of districts authorized.


title: RCW 57.36.020

text:
A merger of districts may be initiated in either of the following ways:
(1) Whenever the boards of commissioners of districts determine by resolution that the merger of such districts shall be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience and to be of special benefit to the lands of such districts.
(2) Whenever ten percent of the voters residing within the merging district or districts petition the board of commissioners of the merging district or districts for a merger, and the board of commissioners of the merger district determines by resolution that the merger of the districts shall be conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience of the districts.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1203; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 4; 1961 c 28 s 2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Initiation of merger—Procedure.


title: RCW 57.36.030

text:
Whenever a merger is initiated in either of the two ways provided under this chapter, the boards of commissioners of the districts shall enter into an agreement providing for the merger. The agreement must be entered into within ninety days following completion of the last act in initiation of the merger.
The respective boards of commissioners shall certify the agreement to the county auditor of each county in which the districts are located. Each county auditor shall call a special election for the purpose of submitting to the voters of the respective districts the proposition of whether the merging district or districts shall be merged into the merger district. Notice of the elections shall be given and the elections conducted in accordance with the general election laws.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1204; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 33; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 5; 1961 c 28 s 3.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Agreement—Certification to county auditor—Election—Notice, conduct.


title: RCW 57.36.040

text:
If at such election a majority of the voters of the merging district or districts shall vote in favor of the merger, the merger shall be authorized. The merger shall be effective and the merging district or districts shall cease to exist and shall become a part of the merger district, upon the certification of the election results. The commissioners of the merging district or districts shall hold office as commissioners of the new merged district until their respective terms of office expire or until they resign from office if the resignation is before the expiration of their terms of office. The election of commissioners in the merger district after the merger shall occur as provided in RCW 57.32.130 in a consolidated district after the consolidation.
[ 1999 c 153 s 23; 1996 c 230 s 1205; 1982 c 104 s 2; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 6; 1961 c 28 s 4.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: When merger effective—Cessation of merging district—Commissioners.


title: RCW 57.36.050

text:
All funds and property, real and personal, of the merging district or districts, shall vest in and become the property of the merger district. Unless the agreement of merger provides to the contrary, any outstanding indebtedness of any form, owed by the districts, shall remain the obligation of the area of the original debtor district; and the commissioners of the merger district shall make such levies, assessments, or charges for service upon such area or the users therein as shall pay off such indebtedness at maturity.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1207; 1967 ex.s. c 39 s 7; 1961 c 28 s 5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Vesting of funds and property in merger district—Outstanding indebtedness.


title: RCW 57.36.060

text:
A person who serves on the board of commissioners of a merging district and a merger district shall hold only one position on the board of commissioners of the merger district and shall only receive compensation, expenses, and benefits that are available to a single commissioner.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1206; 1988 c 162 s 4. Formerly RCW 57.40.135.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Persons serving on both boards to hold only one position after merger.


title: RCW 57.42.010

text:
Subject to the provisions of RCW 57.42.020 and 57.42.030, any district created under the provisions of this title may sell, transfer, exchange, lease or otherwise dispose of any property, real or personal, or property rights, including but not limited to the title to real property, to a public utility district in the same county on such terms as may be mutually agreed upon by the board of commissioners of each district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1301; 1973 1st ex.s. c 56 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Authorized.


title: RCW 57.42.020

text:
No district shall dispose of its property to a public utility district unless the respective board of commissioners of each district shall determine by resolution that such disposition is in the public interest and conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience. Copies of each resolution, together with copies of the proposed disposition agreement, shall be filed with the legislative authority of the county in which the district is located and with the superior court of that county. Unless the proposed agreement provides otherwise, any outstanding indebtedness of any form owed by the water district shall remain the obligation of the area of the district, and the board of commissioners of the public utility district shall be empowered to make such levies, assessments, or charges upon that area or the water, sewer, or drainage users therein as shall pay off the indebtedness at maturity.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1302; 1973 1st ex.s. c 56 s 2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Disposition must be in public interest—Filings—Indebtedness.


title: RCW 57.42.030

text:
Within ninety days after the resolutions and proposed agreement have been filed with the court, the court shall fix a date for a hearing and shall direct that notice of the hearing be given by publication. After reviewing the proposed agreement and considering other evidence presented at the hearing, the court may determine by decree that the proposed disposition is in the public interest and conducive to the public health, welfare, and convenience. In addition, the decree shall authorize the payment of all or a portion of the indebtedness of the district relating to property disposed of under such decree. Pursuant to the court decree, the district shall dispose of its property under the terms of the disposition agreement with the public utility district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1303; 1973 1st ex.s. c 56 s 3.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Hearing—Notice—Decree.


title: RCW 57.46.010

text:
A district may include along with, or as part of its regular customer billings, a request for voluntary contributions to assist qualified low-income residential customers of the district in paying their district bills. All funds received by the district in response to such requests shall be transmitted to the grantee of the department of commerce which administers federally funded energy assistance programs for the state in the district's service area or to a charitable organization within the district's service area. All such funds shall be used solely to supplement assistance to low-income residential customers of the district in paying their district bills. The grantee or charitable organization shall be responsible to determine which of the district's customers are qualified for low-income assistance and the amount of assistance to be provided to those who are qualified.
[ 2023 c 470 s 2097; 1996 c 230 s 1401; 1995 c 399 s 149; 1993 c 45 s 5.]
Notes:
Explanatory statement—2023 c 470: See note following RCW 10.99.030.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Voluntary contributions to assist low-income residential customers—Administration.


title: RCW 57.46.020

text:
All assistance provided under this chapter shall be disbursed by the grantee or charitable organization. Where possible the district shall be paid on behalf of the customer by the grantee or the charitable organization. When direct vendor payment is not feasible, a check shall be issued jointly payable to the customer and the district. The availability of funds for assistance to a district's low-income customers as a result of voluntary contributions shall not reduce the amount of assistance for which the district's customers are eligible under the federally funded energy assistance programs administered by the grantee of the department of commerce within the district's service area. The grantee or charitable organization shall provide the district with a quarterly report on January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, and October 15th which includes information concerning the total amount of funds received from the district, the names of all recipients of assistance from these funds, the amount received by each recipient, and the amount of funds received from the district currently on hand and available for future low-income assistance.
[ 2023 c 470 s 2098; 1996 c 230 s 1402; 1995 c 399 s 150; 1993 c 45 s 6.]
Notes:
Explanatory statement—2023 c 470: See note following RCW 10.99.030.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Disbursement of contributions—Quarterly report.


title: RCW 57.46.030

text:
Contributions received under a program implemented by a district in compliance with this chapter shall not be considered a commingling of funds.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1403; 1993 c 45 s 7.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Contributions not considered commingling of funds.


title: RCW 57.90.001

text:
Actions taken under this chapter may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1501; 1989 c 84 s 63.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.


title: RCW 57.90.010

text:
Water-sewer, park and recreation, metropolitan park, county rural library, cemetery, flood control, mosquito control, diking and drainage, irrigation or reclamation, weed, health, or fire protection districts, and any air pollution control authority or regional fire protection service authority, hereinafter referred to as "special districts," which are located wholly or in part within a county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more may be disincorporated when the district has not actively carried out any of the special purposes or functions for which it was formed within the preceding consecutive five-year period.
[ 2004 c 129 s 13; 1999 c 153 s 24; 1996 c 230 s 1502; 1991 c 363 s 137; 1979 ex.s. c 30 s 11; 1963 c 55 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.

catchline: Disincorporation authorized.


title: RCW 57.90.020

text:
Upon the filing with the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located of a resolution of any governmental unit calling for the disincorporation of a special district, or upon the filing with the county legislative authority of each county in which the district is located of the petition of twenty percent of the voters within a special district calling for the disincorporation of the special district, the county legislative authority shall hold public hearings to determine whether or not any services have been provided within a consecutive five year period and whether the best interests of all persons concerned will be served by the proposed dissolution of the special district.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1503; 1982 1st ex.s. c 17 s 35; 1963 c 55 s 2.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Proceedings, how commenced—Public hearings.


title: RCW 57.90.030

text:
If the county legislative authority finds that no services have been provided within the preceding consecutive five-year period and that the best interests of all persons concerned will be served by disincorporating the special district, it shall order that such action be taken, specify the manner in which it is to be accomplished and supervise the liquidation of any assets and the satisfaction of any outstanding indebtedness.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1504; 1963 c 55 s 3.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.


title: RCW 57.90.040

text:
If a special district is disincorporated the proceeds of the sale of any of its assets, together with money on hand in the treasury of the special district, shall after payment of all costs and expenses and all outstanding indebtedness be paid to the county treasurer to be placed to the credit of the school district, or districts, in which such special district is situated.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1505; 1963 c 55 s 4.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Distribution of assets.


title: RCW 57.90.050

text:
If a special district is disincorporated and the proceeds of the sale of any of its assets, together with money on hand in the treasury of the special district, are insufficient to retire any outstanding indebtedness, together with all costs and expenses of liquidation, the county legislative authority shall levy assessments in the manner provided by law against the property in the special district in amounts sufficient to retire the indebtedness and pay the costs and expenses.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1506; 1963 c 55 s 5.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Assessments to retire indebtedness.


title: RCW 57.90.100

text:
Whenever as the result of abandonment of an irrigation district right-of-way real property held by an irrigation district is to be sold or otherwise disposed of, notice shall be given to the owners of the lands adjoining that real property and such owners shall have the right of first refusal to purchase at the appraised price all or any part of the real property to be sold or otherwise disposed of which adjoins or is adjacent to their land.
Real property to be sold or otherwise disposed of under this section shall have been first appraised by the county assessor or by a person designated by the county assessor.
Notice under this section shall be sufficient if sent by registered mail to the owner at the address shown in the tax records of the county in which the land is situated. Notice under this section shall be in addition to any notice required by law.
After sixty days from the date of sending of notice, if no applications for purchase have been received by the irrigation district or other person or entity sending notice, the rights of first refusal of owners of adjoining lands shall be deemed to have been waived, and the real property may be disposed of or sold.
If two or more owners of adjoining lands apply to purchase the same real property, or apply to purchase overlapping parts of the real property, the respective rights of the applicants may be determined in the superior court of the county in which the real property is situated. The court may divide the real property in question between some or all of the applicants or award the whole to one applicant, as justice may require.
[ 1996 c 230 s 1507; 1971 ex.s. c 125 s 1.]
Notes:
Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

catchline: Disposal of real property on abandonment of irrigation district right-of-way—Right of adjacent owners.


title: RCW 58.04.001

text:
The purpose of this chapter is to provide alternative procedures for fixing boundary points or lines when they cannot be determined from the existing public record and landmarks or are otherwise in dispute. This chapter does not impair, modify, or supplant any other remedy available at law or equity.
[ 1996 c 160 s 1.]

catchline: Purpose—Remedies.


title: RCW 58.04.003

text:
As used in this chapter, "surveyor" means every person authorized to practice the profession of land surveying under the provisions of chapter 18.43 RCW.
[ 1996 c 160 s 2.]

catchline: Definition of surveyor.


title: RCW 58.04.007

text:
Whenever a point or line determining the boundary between two or more parcels of real property cannot be identified from the existing public record, monuments, and landmarks, or is in dispute, the landowners affected by the determination of the point or line may resolve any dispute and fix the boundary point or line by one of the following procedures:
(1) If all of the affected landowners agree to a description and marking of a point or line determining a boundary, they shall document the agreement in a written instrument, using appropriate legal descriptions and including a survey map, filed in accordance with chapter 58.09 RCW. The written instrument shall be signed and acknowledged by each party in the manner required for a conveyance of real property. The agreement is binding upon the parties, their successors, assigns, heirs and devisees and runs with the land. The agreement shall be recorded with the real estate records in the county or counties in which the affected parcels of real estate or any portion of them is located;
(2) If all of the affected landowners cannot agree to a point or line determining the boundary between two or more parcels of real estate, any one of them may bring suit for determination as provided in RCW 58.04.020.
[ 1996 c 160 s 3.]

catchline: Affected landowners may resolve dispute over location of a point or line—Procedures.


title: RCW 58.04.011

text:
Any surveyor authorized by the court and the surveyor's employees may, without liability for trespass, enter upon any land or waters and remain there while performing the duties as required in RCW 58.04.001 through 58.04.007 and this section. The persons named in this section may, without liability for trespass, investigate, construct, or place a monument or reference monuments for the position of any land boundary mark or general land office corner or mark and subdivisional corners thereof. Persons entering lands under the authority of RCW 58.04.001 through 58.04.007 and this section must exercise due care not to damage property while on land or waters performing their duties, and are liable for property damage, if any, caused by their negligence or willful misconduct. Where practical, the persons named in this section must announce and identify themselves and their intention before entering upon private property in the performance of their duties.
[ 1996 c 160 s 4.]

catchline: Authorization to enter upon any land or waters for purpose of resolving dispute.


title: RCW 58.04.015

text:
A person who intentionally disturbs a survey monument placed by a surveyor in the performance of the surveyor's duties is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and is liable for the cost of the reestablishment.
[ 1996 c 160 s 5.]

catchline: Disturbing a survey monument—Penalty—Cost.


title: RCW 58.04.020

text:
(1) Whenever the boundaries of lands between two or more adjoining proprietors have been lost, or by time, accident or any other cause, have become obscure, or uncertain, and the adjoining proprietors cannot agree to establish the same, one or more of the adjoining proprietors may bring a civil action in equity, in the superior court, for the county in which such lands, or part of them are situated, and that superior court, as a court of equity, may upon the complaint, order such lost or uncertain boundaries to be erected and established and properly marked.
(2) The superior court may order the parties to utilize mediation before the civil action is allowed to proceed.
[ 1996 c 160 s 8; 1886 p 104 s 1; RRS s 947.]

catchline: Suit to establish lost or uncertain boundaries—Mediation may be required.


title: RCW 58.04.030

text:
Said court may, in its discretion, appoint commissioners, not exceeding three competent and disinterested persons, one or more of whom shall be practical surveyors, residents of the state, which commissioners shall be, before entering upon their duties, duly sworn to perform their said duties faithfully, and the said commissioners shall thereupon, survey, erect, establish and properly mark said boundaries, and return to the court a plat of said survey, and the field notes thereof, together with their report. Said report shall be advisory and either party may except thereto, in the same manner as to a report of referees.
[ 1886 p 105 s 2; RRS s 948.]

catchline: Commissioners—Survey and report.


title: RCW 58.04.040

text:
The proceedings shall be conducted as other civil actions, and the court, on final decree, shall apportion the costs of the proceedings equitably, and the cost so apportioned, shall be a lien upon the said lands, severally, as against any transfer or incumbrance made of, or attaching to said lands, from the time of the filing of the complaint: PROVIDED, A notice of lis pendens, is filed in the auditor's office of the proper county, in accordance with law.
[ 1886 p 105 s 3; RRS s 949.]

catchline: Proceedings, conduct of—Costs.


title: RCW 58.08.010

text:
Any person or persons, who may hereafter lay off any town within this state, shall, previous to the sale of any lots within such town, cause to be recorded in the recorder's office of the county wherein the same may lie, a plat of said town, with the public grounds, (if any there be,) streets, lanes and alleys, with their respective widths properly marked, and the lots regularly numbered, and the size stated on said plat.
[Code 1881 s 2328; 1862 p 431 s 1; 1857 p 25 s 1; RRS s 9288.]

catchline: Town plat to be recorded—Requisites.


title: RCW 58.08.015

text:
Every donation or grant to the public, or to any individual or individuals, religious society or societies, or to any corporation or body politic, marked or noted as such on the plat of the town, or wherein such donation or grant may have been made, shall be considered, to all intents and purposes, as a quitclaim deed to the said donee or donees, grantee or grantees, for his, her or their use, for the purposes intended by the donor or donors, grantor or grantors, as aforesaid.
[Code 1881 s 2329; 1862 p 431 s 2; 1857 p 26 s 2; RRS s 9310. Formerly RCW 58.08.060.]

catchline: Effect of donation marked on plat.


title: RCW 58.08.020

text:
Every person hereinafter laying off any lots in addition to any town, shall, previous to the sale of such lots, have the same recorded under the like regulations as are provided for recording the original plat of said town, and thereafter the same shall be considered an addition thereto.
[Code 1881 s 2330; 1862 p 431 s 3; 1857 p 26 s 3; RRS s 9289.]

catchline: Additions.


title: RCW 58.08.030

text:
Every person whose duty it may be to comply with the foregoing regulations shall at or before the time of offering such plat for record, acknowledge the same before the auditor of the proper county, or any other officer who is authorized by law to take acknowledgment of deeds, a certificate of which acknowledgment shall be indorsed on or annexed to such plat and recorded therewith. In all cases where any person or persons, corporation or corporations shall desire to file a plat, map, subdivision or replat of any property or shall desire to vacate the whole or any portion of any existing plat, map, subdivision or replat, such person or persons, corporation or corporations must, at the time of filing the same for record or of filing a petition for vacation thereof, file therewith a certificate from the proper officer or officers who may be in charge of the collection of taxes for which the property affected may be liable at that date, that all taxes which have been levied and become chargeable against such property at such date have been duly paid, satisfied and discharged and must file therewith a certificate from the proper officer or officers, who may be in charge of the collections, that all delinquent assessments for which the property affected may be liable at that date and that all special assessments assessed against said property, which, under the plat filed, become streets, alleys and other public places, have been paid.
[ 1927 c 188 s 1; 1893 c 129 s 1; Code 1881 s 2331; 1862 p 431 s 4; 1857 p 26 s 4; RRS s 9290.]
Notes:
Acknowledgments: Chapter 64.08 RCW.
Taxes collected by treasurer—Dates of delinquency: RCW 84.56.020.

catchline: Plats to be acknowledged—Certificate that taxes and assessments are paid.


title: RCW 58.08.035

text:
All streets, lanes, and alleys, laid off and recorded in accordance with *the foregoing provisions, shall be considered, to all intents and purposes, public highways, and any person who may lay off any town or any addition to any town in this state, and neglect or refuse to comply with the requisitions aforesaid, shall forfeit and pay for the use of said town, for every month he or she may delay a compliance with the provisions of this chapter, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars, nor less than five dollars, to be recovered by civil action, in the name of the treasurer of the county.
[ 2010 c 8 s 18001; Code 1881 s 2332; 1862 p 431 s 5; 1857 p 26 s 5; no RRS.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: "the foregoing provisions" refer to earlier sections of chapter 178, Code of 1881 codified (as amended) in RCW 58.08.010 through 58.08.030.
Platted streets as public highways: RCW 58.08.050.
Regulation of surveys and plats: RCW 58.10.040.

catchline: Platted streets, public highways—Lack of compliance, penalty.


title: RCW 58.08.050

text:
Whenever any city or town has been surveyed and platted and a plat thereof showing the roads, streets and alleys has been filed in the office of the auditor of the county in which such city or town is located, such plat shall be deemed the official plat of such city, or town, and all roads, streets and alleys in such city or town as shown by such plat, be and the same are declared public highways: PROVIDING, That nothing herein shall apply to any part of a city or town that has been vacated according to law.
[Code 1881 s 3049; 1877 p 314 s 1; RRS s 9292.]
Notes:
Platted streets, public highways—Lack of compliance, penalty: RCW 58.08.035.
Streets and alleys over first-class tidelands—Control of: RCW 35.21.250.
Streets over tidelands declared public highways: RCW 35.21.230.

catchline: Official plat—Platted streets as public highways.


title: RCW 58.09.010

text:
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a method for preserving evidence of land surveys by establishing standards and procedures for monumenting and for recording a public record of the surveys. Its provisions shall be deemed supplementary to existing laws relating to surveys, subdivisions, platting, and boundaries.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Survey Recording Act".
[ 1973 c 50 s 1.]

catchline: Purpose—Short title.


title: RCW 58.09.020

text:
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Land surveyor" shall mean every person authorized to practice the profession of land surveying under the provisions of chapter 18.43 RCW, as now or hereafter amended.
(2) "*Washington coordinate system" shall mean that system of plane coordinates as established and designated by chapter 58.20 RCW.
(3) "Survey" shall mean the locating and monumenting in accordance with sound principles of land surveying by or under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor, of points or lines which define the exterior boundary or boundaries common to two or more ownerships or which reestablish or restore general land office corners.
[ 1973 c 50 s 2.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: The "Washington coordinate system" was renamed the "Washington plane coordinate system" by 2020 c 50.

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 58.09.030

text:
Any land surveyor engaged in the practice of land surveying may prepare maps, plats, reports, descriptions, or other documentary evidence in connection therewith.
Every map, plat, report, description, or other document issued by a licensed land surveyor shall comply with the provisions of this chapter whenever such map, plat, report, description, or other document is filed as a public record.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sign, stamp, or seal any map, report, plat, description, or other document for filing under this chapter unless he or she be a land surveyor.
[ 2010 c 8 s 18002; 1973 c 50 s 3.]

catchline: Compliance with chapter required.


title: RCW 58.09.040

text:
After making a survey in conformity with sound principles of land surveying, a land surveyor may file a record of survey with the county auditor in the county or counties wherein the lands surveyed are situated.
(1) It shall be mandatory, within ninety days after the establishment, reestablishment, or restoration of a corner on the boundary of two or more ownerships or general land office corner by survey that a land surveyor shall file with the county auditor in the county or counties wherein the lands surveyed are situated a record of such survey, in such form as to meet the requirements of this chapter, which through accepted survey procedures, shall disclose:
(a) The establishment of a corner which materially varies from the description of record;
(b) The establishment of one or more property corners not previously existing;
(c) Evidence that reasonable analysis might result in alternate positions of lines or points as a result of an ambiguity in the description;
(d) The reestablishment of lost government land office corners.
(2) When a licensed land surveyor, while conducting work of a preliminary nature or other activity that does not constitute a survey required by law to be recorded, replaces, or restores an existing or obliterated general land office corner, it is mandatory that, within ninety days thereafter, he or she shall file with the county auditor in the county in which said corner is located a record of the monuments and accessories found or placed at the corner location, in such form as to meet the requirements of this chapter.
[ 2010 c 8 s 18003; 1973 c 50 s 4.]

catchline: Records of survey—Contents—Filing—Replacing corner, filing record.


title: RCW 58.09.050

text:
The records of survey to be filed under authority of this chapter shall be processed as follows:
(1)(a) The record of survey filed under RCW 58.09.040(1) shall be an original map, eighteen by twenty-four inches, that is legibly drawn in black ink on mylar and is suitable for producing legible prints through scanning, microfilming, or other standard copying procedures.
(b) The following are allowable formats for the original that may be used in lieu of the format set forth under (a) of this subsection:
(i) Photo mylar with original signatures;
(ii) Any standard material as long as the format is compatible with the auditor's recording process and records storage system. This format is only allowed in those counties that are excepted from permanently storing the original document as required in RCW 58.09.110(5);
(iii) An electronic version of the original if the county has the capability to accept electronic signatures which meet the standards provided by the rules adopted by the Washington state board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors, and can import electronic files into an imaging system. The electronic version shall be a standard raster file format acceptable to the county.
A two inch margin on the left edge and a one-half inch margin on other edges of the map shall be provided. The auditor shall reject for recording any maps not suitable for producing legible prints through scanning, microfilming, or other standard copying procedures.
(2) Information required by RCW 58.09.040(2) shall be filed on a standard form eight and one-half inches by fourteen inches as designed and prescribed by the department of natural resources. The auditor shall reject for recording any records of corner information not suitable for producing legible prints through scanning, microfilming, or other standard copying procedures. An electronic version of the standard form may be filed if the county has the capability to accept electronic signatures which meet the standards provided by the rules adopted by the Washington state board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors, and can import electronic files into an imaging system. The electronic version shall be a standard raster file format acceptable to the county.
(3) Two legible prints of each record of survey as required under the provisions of this chapter shall be furnished to the county auditor in the county in which the survey is to be recorded. The auditor, in those counties using imaging systems, may require only the original, and fewer prints, as needed, to meet the requirements of their duties. If any of the prints submitted are not suitable for scanning or microfilming the auditor shall not record the original.
(4) Legibility requirements are set forth in the recorder's checklist under RCW 58.09.110.
[ 2020 c 57 s 85; 2019 c 132 s 6; 1999 c 39 s 1; 1973 c 50 s 5.]


title: RCW 58.09.060

text:
(1) The record of survey as required by RCW 58.09.040(1) shall show:
(a) All monuments found, set, reset, replaced, or removed, describing their kind, size, and location and giving other data relating thereto;
(b) Bearing trees, corner accessories or witness monuments, basis of bearings, bearing and length of lines, scale of map, and north arrow;
(c) Name and legal description of tract in which the survey is located and ties to adjoining surveys of record;
(d) Certificates required by RCW 58.09.080;
(e) Any other data necessary for the intelligent interpretation of the various items and locations of the points, lines and areas shown.
(2) The record of corner information as required by RCW 58.09.040(2) shall be on a standard form showing:
(a) An accurate description and location, in reference to the corner position, of all monuments and accessories found at the corner;
(b) An accurate description and location, in reference to the corner position, of all monuments and accessories placed or replaced at the corner;
(c) Basis of bearings used to describe or locate such monuments or accessories;
(d) Corollary information that may be helpful to relocate or identify the corner position;
(e) Certificate required by RCW 58.09.080.
[ 1973 c 50 s 6.]

catchline: Records of survey, contents—Record of corner, information.


title: RCW 58.09.070

text:
When coordinates in the *Washington coordinate system are shown for points on a record of survey map, the map may not be recorded unless it also shows, or is accompanied by a map showing, the control scheme through which the coordinates were determined from points of known coordinates.
[ 1973 c 50 s 7.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: The "Washington coordinate system" was renamed the "Washington plane coordinate system" by 2020 c 50.

catchline: Coordinates—Map showing control scheme required.


title: RCW 58.09.080

text:
Certificates shall appear on the record of survey map as follows:
SURVEYOR'S CERTIFICATE
This map correctly represents a survey made by me or under my direction in conformance with the requirements of the Survey Recording Act at the request of . . . . . . . . . in . . . . . ., (year) . . . .
Name of Person
(Signed and Sealed) . . . .
Certificate No. . . . .
AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
Filed for record this . . . . day of . . . . . ., (year) . . . . at . . . . .M. in book . . . . of . . . . at page . . . . at the request of . . . . . . . . .
(Signed) . . . .
County Auditor
[ 2016 c 202 s 34; 1973 c 50 s 8.]

catchline: Certificates—Required—Forms.


title: RCW 58.09.090

text:
(1) A record of survey is not required of any survey:
(a) When it has been made by a public officer in his or her official capacity and a reproducible copy thereof has been filed with the county engineer of the county in which the land is located. A map so filed shall be indexed and kept available for public inspection. A record of survey shall not be required of a survey made by the United States bureau of land management. A state agency conducting surveys to carry out the program of the agency shall not be required to use a land surveyor as defined by this chapter;
(b) When it is of a preliminary nature;
(c) When a map is in preparation for recording or shall have been recorded in the county under any local subdivision or platting law or ordinance;
(d) When it is a retracement or resurvey of boundaries of platted lots, tracts, or parcels shown on a filed or recorded and surveyed subdivision plat or filed or recorded and surveyed short subdivision plat in which monuments have been set to mark all corners of the block or street centerline intersections, provided that no discrepancy is found as compared to said recorded information or information revealed on other subsequent public survey map records, such as a record of survey or city or county engineer's map. If a discrepancy is found, that discrepancy must be clearly shown on the face of the required new record of survey. For purposes of this exemption, the term discrepancy shall include:
(i) A nonexisting or displaced original or replacement monument from which the parcel is defined and which nonexistence or displacement has not been previously revealed in the public record;
(ii) A departure from proportionate measure solutions which has not been revealed in the public record;
(iii) The presence of any physical evidence of encroachment or overlap by occupation or improvement; or
(iv) Differences in linear and/or angular measurement between all controlling monuments that would indicate differences in spatial relationship between said controlling monuments in excess of 0.50 feet when compared with all locations of public record: That is, if these measurements agree with any previously existing public record plat or map within the stated tolerance, a discrepancy will not be deemed to exist under this subsection.
(2) Surveys exempted by foregoing subsections of this section shall require filing of a record of corner information pursuant to RCW 58.09.040(2).
[ 2010 c 8 s 18004; 1992 c 106 s 1; 1973 c 50 s 9.]

catchline: When record of survey not required.


title: RCW 58.09.100

text:
The charge for filing any record of survey and/or record of corner information shall be fixed by the board of county commissioners.
[ 1973 c 50 s 10.]

catchline: Filing fee.


title: RCW 58.09.110

text:
The auditor shall accept for recording those records of survey and records of corner information that are in compliance with the recorder's checklist as jointly developed by a committee consisting of the survey advisory board and two representatives from the Washington state association of county auditors. This checklist shall be adopted in rules by the department of natural resources.
(1) The auditor shall keep proper indexes of such record of survey by the name of owner and by quarter-quarter section, township, and range, with reference to other legal subdivisions.
(2) The auditor shall keep proper indexes of the record of corner information by section, township, and range.
(3) After entering the recording data on the record of survey and all prints received from the surveyor, the auditor shall send one of the surveyor's prints to the department of natural resources in Olympia, Washington, for incorporation into the statewide survey records repository. However, the county and the department of natural resources may mutually agree to process the original or an electronic version of the original in lieu of the surveyor's print.
(4) After entering the recording data on the record of corner information the auditor shall send a legible copy, suitable for scanning, to the department of natural resources in Olympia, Washington. However, the county and the department of natural resources may mutually agree to process the original or an electronic version of the original in lieu of the copy.
(5) The auditor shall permanently keep the original document filed using storage and handling processes that do not cause excessive deterioration of the document. A county may be excepted from the requirement to permanently store the original document if it has a document scanning, filming, or other process that creates a permanent, archival record that meets or surpasses the standards as adopted in rule by the division of archives and records management in chapter 434-663 or 434-677 WAC. The auditor must be able to provide full-size copies upon request. The auditor shall maintain a copy or image of the original for public reference.
(6) If the county has the capability to accept electronic signatures which meet the standards provided by the rules adopted by the Washington state board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors, and can import electronic files into an imaging system, the auditor may accept for recording electronic versions of the documents required by this chapter. The electronic version shall be a standard raster file format acceptable to the county.
(7) This section does not supersede other existing recording statutes.
[ 2020 c 57 s 86; 2019 c 132 s 7; 1999 c 39 s 2; 1973 c 50 s 11.]

catchline: Duties of county auditor.


title: RCW 58.09.120

text:
Any monument set by a land surveyor to mark or reference a point on a property or land line shall be permanently marked or tagged with the certificate number of the land surveyor setting it. If the monument is set by a public officer it shall be marked by an appropriate official designation.
Monuments set by a land surveyor shall be sufficient in number and durability and shall be efficiently placed so as not to be readily disturbed in order to assure, together with monuments already existing, the perpetuation or reestablishment of any point or line of a survey.
[ 1973 c 50 s 12.]

catchline: Monuments—Requirements.


title: RCW 58.09.130

text:
When adequate records exist as to the location of subdivision, tract, street, or highway monuments, such monuments shall be located and referenced by or under the direction of a land surveyor at the time when streets or highways are reconstructed or relocated, or when other construction or activity affects their perpetuation. Whenever practical a suitable monument shall be reset in the surface of the new construction. In all other cases permanent witness monuments shall be set to perpetuate the location of preexisting monuments. Additionally, sufficient controlling monuments shall be retained or replaced in their original positions to enable land lines, property corners, elevations and tract boundaries to be reestablished without requiring surveys originating from monuments other than the ones disturbed by the current construction or activity.
It shall be the responsibility of the governmental agency or others performing construction work or other activity to provide for the monumentation required by this section. It shall be the duty of every land surveyor to cooperate with such governmental agency or other person in matters of maps, field notes, and other pertinent records. Monuments set to mark the limiting lines of highways, roads, or streets shall not be deemed adequate for this purpose unless specifically noted on the records of the improvement works with direct ties in bearing or azimuth and distance between those and other monuments of record.
[ 1973 c 50 s 13.]

catchline: Monuments disturbed by construction activities—Procedure—Requirements.


title: RCW 58.09.140

text:
Noncompliance with any provision of this chapter, as it now exists or may hereafter be amended, shall constitute grounds for revocation of a land surveyor's authorization to practice the profession of land surveying and as further set forth under RCW 18.43.105 and 18.43.110.
[ 1973 c 50 s 14.]

catchline: Noncompliance grounds for revocation of land surveyor's license.


title: RCW 58.10.010

text:
All city or town plats or any addition or additions thereto, heretofore made and recorded in the county auditor's office of any county in Washington state, showing lots, blocks, streets, alleys or public grounds, shall be conclusive evidence of the location and size of the lots, blocks and public grounds and the location and width of each and every street or alley marked, laid down or appearing on such plat, and that all the right, title, interest or estate which the person or persons making or recording such plat, or causing the same to be made, or recorded, had at the time of making or recording such plat in or to such streets, alleys or public grounds was thereby dedicated to public use, whether the same was made, executed or acknowledged in accordance with the provisions of the laws of this state in force at the time of making the same or not.
[Code 1881 s 2338; RRS s 9306. Formerly RCW 58.08.080.]

catchline: Defective plats legalized—1881 Code.


title: RCW 58.10.020

text:
A copy of any city or town plat or addition thereto recorded in the manner provided for in RCW 58.10.010, certified by the county auditor of the county in which the same is recorded to be a true copy of such record and the whole thereof, shall be received in evidence in all the courts of this state, with like effect as the original.
[Code 1881 s 2339; RRS s 9307. Formerly RCW 58.08.070.]
Notes:
Rules of court: ER 803(a)(14).
Certified copies
of instruments, or transcripts of county commissioners' proceedings: RCW 5.44.070.
of recorded instruments as evidence: RCW 5.44.060.
Copies of business and public records as evidence: RCW 5.46.010.
Instruments to be recorded or filed: RCW 65.04.030.
Photostatic or photographic copies of public or business records admissible in evidence: RCW 40.20.030.

catchline: Certified copy of plat as evidence.


title: RCW 58.10.030

text:
Whenever the recorded plat of any city or addition thereto does not definitely show the location or size of lots or blocks, or the location or width of any street or alley in such city or addition, the city council of the city in which the land so platted is located, is hereby authorized and empowered by ordinance and the action of its proper officers, to cause a new and correct survey and plat of such city or addition to be made, and recorded in the office of the county auditor of the county in which such city or addition is located, which corrected plat shall follow the plan of the original survey and plat, so far as the same can be ascertained and followed, and a certificate of the officer or surveyor making the same shall be endorsed thereon, referring to the original plat corrected thereby, and the deficit existing therein, and corrected by such new survey and plat; and the ordinance authorizing the making of such plat shall be recorded in the office of the county auditor of said county and said certificate shall show where said ordinance is recorded, and such plat when so made and recorded, or a copy thereof certified as provided in RCW 58.10.020 shall be admissible in evidence in all the courts in this state.
[Code 1881 s 2340; RRS s 9308. Formerly RCW 58.12.130.]

catchline: Resurvey and corrected plat—Corrected plat as evidence.


title: RCW 58.10.040

text:
All incorporated cities in the state of Washington are hereby authorized and empowered to regulate and prescribe the manner and form of making any future survey or plat of lands within their respective limits and enforce such regulations by a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars, to be recovered by and in the name of such city, or imprisonment not exceeding twenty days for each violation of any ordinance regulating such survey and platting: PROVIDED, That nothing in this chapter shall be construed so as to apply to additions to towns in which no lots have been sold.
[Code 1881 s 2341; RRS s 9309. Formerly RCW 58.12.140.]
Notes:
Platted streets, public highways—Lack of compliance, penalty: RCW 58.08.035.

catchline: Regulation of surveys and plats.


title: RCW 58.17.010

text:
The legislature finds that the process by which land is divided is a matter of state concern and should be administered in a uniform manner by cities, towns, and counties throughout the state. The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the subdivision of land and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare in accordance with standards established by the state to prevent the overcrowding of land; to lessen congestion in the streets and highways; to promote effective use of land; to promote safe and convenient travel by the public on streets and highways; to provide for adequate light and air; to facilitate adequate provision for water, sewerage, parks and recreation areas, sites for schools and schoolgrounds and other public requirements; to provide for proper ingress and egress; to provide for the expeditious review and approval of proposed subdivisions which conform to zoning standards and local plans and policies; to adequately provide for the housing and commercial needs of the citizens of the state; and to require uniform monumenting of land subdivisions and conveyancing by accurate legal description.
[ 1981 c 293 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 271 s 1.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: Throughout this chapter, the phrase "this act" has been changed to "this chapter." "This act" [1969 ex.s. c 271] also consists of amendments to RCW 58.08.040 and 58.24.040 and the repeal of RCW 58.16.010 through 58.16.110.
Severability—1981 c 293: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1981 c 293 s 16.]

catchline: Purpose.


title: RCW 58.17.020

text:
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter clearly requires otherwise, the words or phrases defined in this section shall have the indicated meanings.
(1) "Binding site plan" means a drawing to a scale specified by local ordinance which: (a) Identifies and shows the areas and locations of all streets, roads, improvements, utilities, open spaces, and any other matters specified by local regulations; (b) contains inscriptions or attachments setting forth such appropriate limitations and conditions for the use of the land as are established by the local government body having authority to approve the site plan; and (c) contains provisions making any development be in conformity with the site plan.
(2) "Block" is a group of lots, tracts, or parcels within well defined and fixed boundaries.
(3) "Clear and objective design and development standards" means locally adopted development regulations that involve no personal or subjective judgment by a public official, and are ascertainable by reference to measurable written or graphic criteria available and knowable to the permit applicant, the public, and public officials prior to submittal.
(4) "County auditor" shall be as defined in chapter 36.22 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(5) "County commissioner" shall be as defined in chapter 36.32 RCW or the body assigned such duties under a county charter.
(6) "County road engineer" shall be as defined in chapter 36.40 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(7) "County treasurer" shall be as defined in chapter 36.29 RCW or the office or person assigned such duties under a county charter.
(8) "Dedication" is the deliberate appropriation of land by an owner for any general and public uses, reserving to himself or herself no other rights than such as are compatible with the full exercise and enjoyment of the public uses to which the property has been devoted. The intention to dedicate shall be evidenced by the owner by the presentment for filing of a final plat or short plat showing the dedication thereon; and, the acceptance by the public shall be evidenced by the approval of such plat for filing by the appropriate governmental unit.
A dedication of an area of less than two acres for use as a public park may include a designation of a name for the park, in honor of a deceased individual of good character.
(9) "Final plat" is the final drawing of the subdivision and dedication prepared for filing for record with the county auditor and containing all elements and requirements set forth in this chapter and in local regulations adopted under this chapter.
(10) "Lot" is a fractional part of divided lands having fixed boundaries, being of sufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning requirements for width and area. The term shall include tracts or parcels.
(11) "Parent lot" means a residential lot that is subdivided into unit lots through the unit lot subdivision process.
(12) "Planning commission" means that body as defined in chapter 36.70, 35.63, or 35A.63 RCW as designated by the legislative body to perform a planning function or that body assigned such duties and responsibilities under a city or county charter.
(13) "Plat" is a map or representation of a subdivision, showing thereon the division of a tract or parcel of land into lots, blocks, streets and alleys, or other divisions and dedications.
(14) "Preliminary plat" is a neat and approximate drawing of a proposed subdivision showing the general layout of streets and alleys, lots, blocks, and other elements of a subdivision consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The preliminary plat shall be the basis for the approval or disapproval of the general layout of a subdivision.
(15) "Short plat" is the map or representation of a short subdivision.
(16) "Short subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into four or fewer lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership. However, the legislative authority of any city or town may by local ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine. The legislative authority of any county planning under RCW 36.70A.040 that has adopted a comprehensive plan and development regulations in compliance with chapter 36.70A RCW may by ordinance increase the number of lots, tracts, or parcels to be regulated as short subdivisions to a maximum of nine in any urban growth area.
(17) "Subdivision" is the division or redivision of land into five or more lots, tracts, parcels, sites, or divisions for the purpose of sale, lease, or transfer of ownership, except as provided in subsection (16) of this section.
(18) "Unit lot" means a subdivided lot within a residential development as created from a parent lot and approved through the unit lot subdivision process.
(19) "Unit lot subdivision" means a subdivision or short subdivision proposed as part of a residential development project that meets the development standards applicable to the parent lot at the time the application is vested, but which may result in development on one or more individual unit lots becoming nonconforming as to specified land use and development standards based on the analysis of the individual unit lot. By June 30, 2026, all unit lot subdivisions shall require notification to purchasers of their legal status as further described in RCW 58.17.060.
[ 2025 c 271 s 1; 2002 c 262 s 1; 1995 c 32 s 2; 1983 c 121 s 1. Prior: 1981 c 293 s 2; 1981 c 292 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 271 s 2.]
Notes:
Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).
Severability—1981 c 293: See note following RCW 58.17.010.
Camping resort contracts—Nonapplicability of certain laws to—Resort not subdivision except under city, county powers: RCW 19.105.510.

catchline: Definitions.


title: RCW 58.17.030

text:
Every subdivision shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. Every short subdivision as defined in this chapter shall comply with the provisions of any local regulation adopted pursuant to RCW 58.17.060.
[ 1974 ex.s. c 134 s 1; 1969 ex.s. c 271 s 3.]

catchline: Subdivisions to comply with chapter, local regulations.