reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.010 - Suit in equity authorized—Grounds.

RCW 36.05.010
Suit in equity authorized—Grounds.
Whenever the boundary line between two or more adjoining counties in this state are in dispute, or have been lost by time, accident or any other cause, or have become obscure or uncertain, one or more of the counties, in its corporate name, may bring and maintain suit against such other adjoining county or counties, in equity, in the superior court, to establish the location of the boundary line or lines.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.010. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 1; RRS § 3964.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.020 - Noninterested judge to sit.

RCW 36.05.020
Noninterested judge to sit.
A suit to establish county boundary lines shall be tried before a judge of the superior court who is not a resident of a county which is a party to such suit, or of a judicial district embracing any such county.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.020. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 2; RRS § 3965.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.030 - Residents of area may intervene.

RCW 36.05.030
Residents of area may intervene.
A majority of the voters living in the territory embracing such disputed, lost, obscure, or uncertain boundary line may, by petition, duly verified by one or more of them, intervene in the suit, and thereupon the court shall have jurisdiction and power, in locating and establishing the boundary line or lines, to strike or transfer from one county to another a strip or portion of such territory not exceeding two miles in width.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.030. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 3; RRS § 3966.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.040 - Questions of fact to be determined.

RCW 36.05.040
Questions of fact to be determined.
The boundaries of such territory, the number of voters living therein, and the sufficiency of such petition are questions of fact to be determined by the court.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.040. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 5; RRS § 3968.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.050 - Court may establish boundary line.

RCW 36.05.050
Court may establish boundary line.
The court shall have power to move or establish such boundary line on any government section line or subdivisional line thereof, of the section in or through which said disputed, lost, obscure or uncertain boundary line may be located, or if such boundary line is in unsurveyed territory, then the court shall have power to move or establish such boundary line so it will conform to extensions of government section lines already surveyed in that vicinity.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.050. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 6; RRS § 3969.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.060 - Practice in civil actions to prevail.

RCW 36.05.060
Practice in civil actions to prevail.
The practice, procedure, rules of evidence, and appeals to the supreme court or the court of appeals applicable to civil actions, are preserved under this chapter.
[ 1971 c 81 § 96; 1963 c 4 § 36.05.060. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 7; RRS § 3970.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.070 - Copies of decree to be filed and recorded.

RCW 36.05.070
Copies of decree to be filed and recorded.
The clerk of the court in whose office a decree is entered under the provisions of this chapter, shall forthwith furnish certified copies thereof to the secretary of state, and to the auditors of the counties, which are parties to said suit. The secretary of state, and the county auditors, shall file and record said copies of the decree in their respective offices.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.070. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 8; RRS § 3971.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.05 - Actions to Establish Boundaries. › 36.05.080 - "Territory" defined.

RCW 36.05.080
"Territory" defined.
The term "territory," as used in this chapter, means that portion of counties lying along the boundary line and within one mile on either side thereof.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.05.080. Prior: 1897 c 76 § 4; RRS § 3967.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.010 - Petition and notice of election.

RCW 36.08.010
Petition and notice of election.
If a harbor, inlet, bay, or mouth of river is embraced within two adjoining counties, and an incorporated city is located upon the shore of such harbor, bay, inlet, or mouth of river and it is desired to embrace within the limits of one county, the full extent of the shore line of the harbor, port, or bay, and the waters thereof, together with a strip of the adjacent and contiguous upland territory not exceeding three miles in width, to be measured back from highwater mark, and six miles in length, and not being at a greater distance in any part of said strip from the courthouse in the county seat of the county to which the territory is proposed to be annexed, as such county seat and courthouse are now situated, than ten miles, a majority of the qualified electors living in such territory may petition to have the territory stricken from the county of which it shall then be a part, and added to and made a part of the county contiguous thereto.
The petition shall describe with certainty the bounds and area of the territory, with the reasons for making the change and shall be presented to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the territory is located, which shall proceed to ascertain if the petition contains the requisite number of petitioners, who must be bona fide residents of the territory sought to be stricken off and transferred to the contiguous county.
If satisfied that the petition is signed by a majority of the bona fide electors of the territory, and that there will remain in the county from which it is taken more than four thousand inhabitants, the board shall make an order that a special election be held within the limits of the territory described in the petition, on a date to be named in the order.
Notices of the election shall contain a description of the territory proposed to be transferred and the names of the counties from and to which the transfer is intended to be made, and shall be posted and published as required for general elections.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.010. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 1; RRS § 3972.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.020 - Conduct of election—Proclamation of change.

RCW 36.08.020
Conduct of election—Proclamation of change.
The election shall be conducted in all respects as general elections are conducted under the laws governing general elections, in so far as they may be applicable, except that there shall be triplicate returns made, one to each of the respective county auditors and another to the office of the secretary of state. The ballots used at such election shall contain the words "for transferring territory," or "against transferring territory." The votes shall be canvassed, as by law required, within twenty days, and if three-fifths of the votes cast in the territory at such election are "for transferring territory," the territory described in the petition shall become a part of and be added to and made a part of the county contiguous thereto, and within thirty days after the canvass of the returns of the election, the governor shall issue his or her proclamation of the change of county lines.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4001; 1963 c 4 § 36.08.020. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 2; RRS § 3973.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.030 - Official proceedings not disturbed by transfer.

RCW 36.08.030
Official proceedings not disturbed by transfer.
All assessments and collection of taxes, and all judicial or other official proceedings commenced prior to the governor's proclamation transferring territory to a contiguous county, shall be continued, prosecuted, and completed in the same manner as if no such transfer had been made.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.030. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 3; RRS § 3974.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.040 - Local officers to serve out terms.

RCW 36.08.040
Local officers to serve out terms.
All township, precinct, school, and road district officers within the transferred territory shall continue to hold their respective offices within the county to which they may be transferred until their respective terms of office expire, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.040. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 4; RRS § 3975.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.050 - Transferee county liable for existing debts—Exception.

RCW 36.08.050
Transferee county liable for existing debts—Exception.
Every county which is thus enlarged by territory taken from another county shall be liable for a just proportion of the existing debts of the county from which such territory is stricken, which proportion shall be paid by the county to which such territory is transferred at such time and in such manner as may be agreed upon by the boards of county commissioners of both counties: PROVIDED, That the county to which the territory is transferred shall not be liable for any portion of the debt of the county from which the territory is taken, incurred in the purchase of any county property, or the construction of any county building then in use or under construction, which shall fall within and be retained by the county from which the territory is taken.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.050. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 5; RRS § 3976.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.060 - Adjustment of indebtedness.

RCW 36.08.060
Adjustment of indebtedness.
The county auditors of the respective counties interested in the transfer of territory, as in this chapter provided, are constituted a board of appraisers and adjusters, to appraise the property, both real and personal, owned by the county from which the territory is taken, and to adjust the indebtedness of such county with the county to which such territory is transferred, in proportion to the amount of taxable property within the territory taken from the one county and transferred to the other.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.060. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 6; RRS § 3977.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.070 - Arbitration of differences.

RCW 36.08.070
Arbitration of differences.
If the board of appraisers and adjusters do not agree on any subject, value, or settlement, they shall choose a third person from an adjoining county to settle their differences, and the decision thus arrived at shall be final.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4002; 1963 c 4 § 36.08.070. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 7; RRS § 3978.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.080 - Expense of proceedings.

RCW 36.08.080
Expense of proceedings.
The expense of the proceedings and election provided for in this chapter shall be paid by the county to which the territory is attached.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.080. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 8; RRS § 3979.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.090 - Transcript of records by county auditor.

RCW 36.08.090
Transcript of records by county auditor.
The county auditor of the county to which any territory may be transferred may take transcripts of all records, books, papers, etc., on file in the office of the county auditor of the county from which the territory has been transferred, which may be necessary to perfect the records of his or her county, and for this purpose he or she shall have access to the records of the county from which such territory is stricken, free of cost.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4003; 1963 c 4 § 36.08.090. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 9; RRS § 3980.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.08 - Transfer of Territory Where City's Harbor Lies in Two Counties. › 36.08.100 - Construction—Limitations.

RCW 36.08.100
Construction—Limitations.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the annexing of territory of one county to a neighboring county, where the territory proposed to be annexed, or any part thereof, is at a greater distance than ten miles from the courthouse in the county seat of the county to which said territory is proposed to be annexed, as said courthouse is now located, nor to authorize the annexation of any territory at a greater distance than three miles from high water mark of tide water, but such annexation shall be strictly confined within said limits.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.08.100. Prior: 1891 c 144 § 10; RRS § 3981.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.09 - New County—Liability for Debts. › 36.09.010 - Debts and property to be apportioned.

RCW 36.09.010
Debts and property to be apportioned.
Whenever a new county shall be or shall have been organized out of the territory which was included within the limits of any other county or counties, the new county shall be liable for a reasonable proportion of the debts of the county from which it was taken, and entitled to its proportion of the property of the county.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.09.010. Prior: Code 1881 § 2657; 1863 p 538 § 3; 1854 p 330 § 1; RRS § 3986.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.09 - New County—Liability for Debts. › 36.09.020 - Procedure to settle amount charged new county—Basis of apportionment.

RCW 36.09.020
Procedure to settle amount charged new county—Basis of apportionment.
The auditor of the old county shall give the auditor of the new county reasonable notice to meet him or her on a certain day at the county seat of the old county, or at some other convenient place, to settle upon and fix the amount which the new county shall pay. In doing so, they shall not charge either county with any share of debts arising from the erection of public buildings, or out of the construction of roads or bridges which shall be and remain, after the division, within the limits of the other county, and of the other debts they shall apportion to each county such a share of the indebtedness as may be just and equitable, taking into consideration the population of such portion of territory so forming a part of the said counties while so united, and also the relative advantages, derived from the old county organization.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4004; 1963 c 4 § 36.09.020. Prior: (i) Code 1881 § 2658; 1863 p 538 § 4; 1854 p 330 § 2; RRS § 3987. FORMER PART OF SECTION: 1909 c 79 § 1, part; Code 1881 § 2662, part; RRS § 3991, part. Now codified in RCW 36.09.050.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.09 - New County—Liability for Debts. › 36.09.035 - Procedure to settle amount charged new county—Disagreement between auditors—Determination by third person.

RCW 36.09.035
Procedure to settle amount charged new county—Disagreement between auditors—Determination by third person.
In case the two auditors cannot agree, they shall call a third person, not a citizen of either county, or in any other manner interested, whose decision shall be binding. In case they cannot agree upon such third person, they shall each name one and decide by lot which it shall be.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.09.035. Prior: Code 1881 § 2659; 1863 p 539 § 5; 1854 p 330 § 3; RRS § 3988.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.09 - New County—Liability for Debts. › 36.09.040 - Payment of indebtedness—Transfer of property.

RCW 36.09.040
Payment of indebtedness—Transfer of property.
The auditor of the county indebted upon such decision shall give to the auditor of the other county his or her order upon the treasurer for the amount to be paid out of the proper fund, as in other cases, and also make out a transfer of such property as shall be assigned to either county.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4005; 1963 c 4 § 36.09.040. Prior: Code 1881 § 2660; 1863 p 539 § 6; 1854 p 330 § 4; RRS § 3989.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.09 - New County—Liability for Debts. › 36.09.050 - Collection of taxes levied—Apportionment.

RCW 36.09.050
Collection of taxes levied—Apportionment.
When a county is divided or the boundary is altered, all taxes levied before the division was made or boundaries changed, must be collected by the officers of the county in which the territory was situated before the division or change. And the auditor or auditors of the county or counties so divided or having boundaries changed, shall apportion the amount of the real property taxes so collected after division or change of boundary to the old county or counties and the new county or counties, in the ratio of the assessed value of such property situated in the territory of each county or counties respectively, and the old county that may have been divided or whose boundaries may have been changed, shall retain all of the personal property taxes on the said tax rolls, as compensation for cost of collection of the entire taxes: PROVIDED, That in such accounting neither county shall be charged with any debt or liability then existing incurred in the purchase of any county property, or in the purchase or construction of any county buildings then in use or under construction, which shall fall within and be retained by the county: PROVIDED FURTHER, That this shall not be construed to affect the rights of creditors: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That any such county property or buildings shall be the property of and owned by the county wherein the same is situated. In case the auditors of the interested counties are not able to agree upon the proportion to be awarded to each county, the same shall be determined by the judge of the superior court of the district in which all of the interested counties are situated, if they be in one district, and have one common judge, and if not, by the judges sitting en banc of the superior courts of the counties involved. Said auditors shall make said apportionment within sixty days after the creation of any new county or the changing of boundaries of any old county, and if they do not, within said time, agree upon said apportionment, thereafter either or any county affected may petition the judge or judges of any court given jurisdiction by this section, and upon ten days' notice to any other county affected, the same may be brought on for hearing and summarily disposed of by said judge or judges, after allowing each side an opportunity to be heard.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.09.050. Prior: 1909 c 79 § 1; Code 1881 § 2662; RRS § 3991. Formerly RCW 36.09.020, part, 36.09.030 and 36.09.050.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.010 - Petition for removal—Financial impact statement.

RCW 36.12.010
Petition for removal—Financial impact statement.
Whenever the inhabitants of any county desire to remove the county seat of the county from the place where it is fixed by law or otherwise, they shall present a petition to the board of county commissioners of their county praying such removal, and that an election be held to determine to what place such removal must be made. The petition shall set forth the names of the towns or cities to which the county seat is proposed to be removed and shall be filed at least six months before the election. The county shall issue a statement analyzing the financial impact of the proposed removal at least sixty days before the election. The financial impact statement shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the: (1) Probable costs to the county government involved in relocating the county seat; (2) probable costs to county employees as a result of relocating the county seat; and (3) probable impact on the city or town from which the county seat is proposed to be removed, and on the city or town where the county seat is proposed to be relocated.
[ 1985 c 145 § 1; 1963 c 4 § 36.12.010. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 1; RRS § 3998.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.020 - Requisites of petition—Submission to electors.

RCW 36.12.020
Requisites of petition—Submission to electors.
If the petition is signed by qualified voters of the county equal in number to at least one-third of all the votes cast in the county at the last preceding general election the board must, at the next general election of county officers, submit the question of removal to the electors of the county.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.020. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 2; RRS § 3999.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.030 - Notice of election—Election, how held.

RCW 36.12.030
Notice of election—Election, how held.
Notice of the election, clearly stating the object, shall be given, and the election must be held and conducted, and the returns made, in all respects in the manner prescribed by law in regard to elections for county officers.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.030. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 3; RRS § 4000.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.040 - Manner of voting.

RCW 36.12.040
Manner of voting.
In voting on the question, each voter must vote for or against the place named in the petition.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.040. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 4; RRS § 4001.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.050 - Vote required—Notice of result.

RCW 36.12.050
Vote required—Notice of result.
When the returns have been received and compared, and the results ascertained by the board, if three-fifths of the legal votes cast by those voting on the proposition are in favor of any particular place the proposition has been adopted. The board of county commissioners must give notice of the result by posting notices thereof in all the election precincts in the county.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.050. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 5; RRS § 4002.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.060 - Time of removal.

RCW 36.12.060
Time of removal.
In the notice provided for in RCW 36.12.050, the place selected to be the county seat of the county must be so declared upon a day not more than ninety days after the election. After the day named the place chosen is the seat of the county; and the several county officers, whose offices are required by law to be kept at the county seat, shall remove their respective offices, files, records, office fixtures, furniture, and all public property pertaining to their respective offices to the new county seat.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.060. Prior: 1890 p 318 § 6; RRS § 4003.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.070 - Notice to county clerk and secretary of state.

RCW 36.12.070
Notice to county clerk and secretary of state.
Whenever any election has been held for change of county seat, the notice given by the board of county commissioners showing the result thereof must be deposited in the office of the county clerk, and a certified copy thereof transmitted to the secretary of state.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.12.070. Prior: 1890 p 319 § 7; RRS § 4004.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.080 - Failure of election—Limitation on subsequent removal election.

RCW 36.12.080
Failure of election—Limitation on subsequent removal election.
When an election has been held and no one place receives three-fifths of all the votes cast, the former county seat shall remain the county seat, and no second election may be held within eight years thereafter.
[ 1985 c 145 § 2; 1963 c 4 § 36.12.080. Prior: 1890 p 319 § 8; RRS § 4005.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.12 - Removal of County Seats. › 36.12.090 - Limitation on successive removal elections.

RCW 36.12.090
Limitation on successive removal elections.
When the county seat of a county has been removed by a popular vote of the people of the county, it may be again removed, from time to time, in the manner provided by this chapter, but no two elections to effect such removal may be held within eight years.
[ 1985 c 145 § 3; 1963 c 4 § 36.12.090. Prior: 1890 p 319 § 9; RRS § 4006.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.020 - County census authorized.

RCW 36.13.020
County census authorized.
The legislative authority of any county may order a county census to be taken of all the inhabitants of the county. The expense of such census enumeration shall be paid from the county current expense fund.
[ 1991 c 363 § 44; 1977 ex.s. c 110 § 6; 1963 c 4 § 36.13.020. Prior: (i) 1923 c 177 § 1; RRS § 4200-6. (ii) 1923 c 177 § 5; RRS § 4200-10.]
NOTES:
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.030 - County census authorized—Personnel—How conducted.

RCW 36.13.030
County census authorized—Personnel—How conducted.
For the purpose of making a county census, the legislative authority of any county may employ one or more suitable persons. The census shall be conducted in accordance with standard census definitions and procedures as specified by the office of financial management.
[ 1979 c 151 § 37; 1977 ex.s. c 110 § 1; 1963 c 4 § 36.13.030. Prior: 1923 c 177 § 2; RRS § 4200-7.]
NOTES:
Population determinations, office of financial management: Chapter 43.62 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.040 - County census authorized—Information to be given enumerators.

RCW 36.13.040
County census authorized—Information to be given enumerators.
All persons resident in the county, having knowledge of the facts, shall give the information required herein to any duly authorized census enumerator when requested by him or her.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4006; 1963 c 4 § 36.13.040. Prior: 1923 c 177 § 4; RRS § 4200-9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.050 - County census authorized—Classification to be based on census.

RCW 36.13.050
County census authorized—Classification to be based on census.
The board of county commissioners shall determine the population of the county based upon such special county census. Based upon such census, it shall enter an order declaring and fixing the population of the county in accordance with such determination, and from and after the entry of the order the county shall be considered and classified for all purposes according to the population thus determined.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.13.050. Prior: 1923 c 177 § 3; RRS § 4200-8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.070 - County census authorized—Penalty.

RCW 36.13.070
County census authorized—Penalty.
Any person violating any of the provisions of RCW 36.13.020, 36.13.030, 36.13.040, and 36.13.050, or any officer or enumerator making, assisting, or permitting any duplication of names or making, permitting, or assisting in the enumeration of any fictitious names or persons in taking the census, shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.13.070. Prior: 1923 c 177 § 6; RRS § 4200-11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.13 - Classification of Counties. › 36.13.100 - Determination of population.

RCW 36.13.100
Determination of population.
Whenever any provision of law refers to the population of a county for purposes of distributing funds or for any other purpose, the population of the respective counties shall be determined by the most recent census, population estimate by the office of financial management, or special county census as certified by the office of financial management.
[ 1991 c 363 § 45; 1963 c 4 § 36.13.100. Prior: 1949 c 92 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 4200-6a.]
NOTES:
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
Population determinations, office of financial management: Chapter 43.62 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.010 - Time of election.

RCW 36.16.010
Time of election.
The election of county and precinct officers shall be held on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 1922; and every four years thereafter on the Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, and all such elective county and precinct officers shall after midnight, June 11, 1919, be elected at the time herein specified: PROVIDED, That if a vacancy occur during the first biennium after any such election, an election to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term shall be held at the next succeeding general election.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.16.010. Prior: 1919 c 175 § 2; RRS § 4030.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.020 - Term of county and precinct officers.

RCW 36.16.020
Term of county and precinct officers.
The term of office of all county and precinct officers shall be four years and until their successors are elected and qualified and assume office in accordance with RCW 29A.60.280: PROVIDED, That this section and RCW 36.16.010 shall not apply to county commissioners.
[ 2015 c 53 § 60; 1979 ex.s. c 126 § 26; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.020. Prior: 1959 c 216 § 2; 1919 c 175 § 1; 1886 p 101 § 2; Code 1881 § 3153; 1877 p 330 § 2; 1871 p 35 § 3; 1867 p 7 § 4; RRS § 4029.]
NOTES:
Purpose—1979 ex.s. c 126: See RCW 29A.60.280(1).
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.032 - Offices of auditor and clerk may be combined in counties with populations of less than five thousand—Salary.

RCW 36.16.032
Offices of auditor and clerk may be combined in counties with populations of less than five thousand—Salary.
The office of county auditor may be combined with the office of county clerk in each county with a population of less than five thousand by unanimous resolution of the county legislative authority passed thirty days or more prior to the first day of filing for the primary election for county offices. The salary of such office of county clerk combined with the office of county auditor, and the salary of the office of county auditor that is not combined with the office of county clerk, shall be not less than ten thousand three hundred dollars. The county legislative authority of such county is authorized to increase or decrease the salary of such office: PROVIDED, That the legislative authority of the county shall not reduce the salary of any official below the amount which such official was receiving on January 1, 1973.
[ 1991 c 363 § 48; 1973 1st ex.s. c 88 § 1; 1972 ex.s. c 97 § 1; 1967 ex.s. c 77 § 1; 1963 c 164 § 2; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.032. Prior: 1957 c 219 § 4.]
NOTES:
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.040 - Oath of office.

RCW 36.16.040
Oath of office.
Every person elected to county office shall before he or she enters upon the duties of his or her office take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that he or she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office to the best of his or her ability. This oath, or affirmation, shall be administered and certified by an officer authorized to administer oaths, without charge therefor.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4007; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.040. Prior: 1955 c 157 § 6; prior: (i) Code 1881 § 2666; 1869 p 303 § 4; 1863 p 541 § 4; 1854 p 420 § 4; RRS § 4045. (ii) Code 1881 § 2708, part; 1869 p 310 § 4, part; 1863 p 549 § 4, part; 1854 p 424 § 4, part; RRS § 4084, part. (iii) 1943 c 249 § 1; Code 1881 § 2739; 1863 p 553 § 2, part; 1854 p 426 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 4107. (iv) 1886 p 61 § 4, part; 1883 p 73 § 9, part; Code 1881 § 2163, part; 1877 p 246 § 5, part; 1863 p 408 § 3, part; 1860 p 334 § 3, part; 1858 p 12 § 3, part; 1854 p 417 § 3, part; RRS § 4129, part. (v) 1897 c 71 § 44; 1893 c 124 § 46; Code 1881 § 2753; 1854 p 428 § 2; RRS § 4141. (vi) Code 1881 § 2774; 1863 p 558 § 9; 1854 p 435 § 9; RRS § 4156. (vii) Code 1881 § 2775, part; 1863 p 559 § 1, part; 1854 p 436 § 1, part; RRS § 4176, part. (viii) Code 1881 § 2096; 1869 p 374 § 18; RRS § 4231. (ix) 1909 c 97 p 280 § 1, part; 1903 c 104 § 13, part; 1899 c 142 § 5, part; 1897 c 118 § 30, part; 1890 p 355 § 10, part; Code 1881 § 3170, part; RRS § 4767, part. (x) 1925 ex.s. c 130 § 55; 1891 c 140 § 46; 1890 p 548 § 50; RRS § 11138.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.060 - Place of filing oaths and bonds.

RCW 36.16.060
Place of filing oaths and bonds.
Every county officer, before entering upon the duties of his or her office, shall file his or her oath of office in the office of the county auditor and his or her official bond in the office of the county clerk: PROVIDED, That the official bond of the county clerk, after first being recorded by the county auditor, shall be filed in the office of the county treasurer.
Oaths and bonds of deputies shall be filed in the offices in which the oaths and bonds of their principals are required to be filed.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4008; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.060. Prior: 1955 c 157 § 8; prior: (i) 1895 c 53 § 2, part; RRS § 71, part. (ii) 1890 p 35 § 5, part; RRS § 9934, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.070 - Deputies and employees.

RCW 36.16.070
Deputies and employees.
In all cases where the duties of any county office are greater than can be performed by the person elected to fill it, the officer may employ deputies and other necessary employees with the consent of the board of county commissioners. The board shall fix their compensation and shall require what deputies shall give bond and the amount of bond required from each. The sureties on deputies' bonds must be approved by the board and the premium therefor is a county expense.
A deputy may perform any act which his or her principal is authorized to perform. The officer appointing a deputy or other employee shall be responsible for the acts of his or her appointees upon his or her official bond and may revoke each appointment at pleasure.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4009; 1969 ex.s. c 176 § 92; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.070. Prior: 1959 c 216 § 3; 1957 c 219 § 2; prior: (i) Code 1881 § 2716; 1869 p 312 § 10; 1863 p 550 § 7; 1854 p 425 § 7; RRS § 4093. (ii) Code 1881 § 2741; 1863 p 553 § 4; 1854 p 427 § 4; RRS § 4108. (iii) Code 1881 § 2767, part; 1871 p 110 § 1, part; 1863 p 557 § 2, part; 1854 p 434 § 2, part; RRS § 4160, part. (iv) 1905 c 60 § 1; RRS § 4177. (v) 1905 c 60 § 2; RRS § 4178. (vi) 1905 c 60 § 3; RRS § 4179. (vii) 1949 c 200 § 1, part; 1945 c 87 § 1, part; 1937 c 197 § 3, part; 1925 ex.s. c 148 § 6, part; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 4200-5a, part. (viii) 1943 c 260 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 4200-5b.]
NOTES:
County clerk, deputies of: Chapter 2.32 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.087 - Deputies and employees—County treasurer—Prior deeds validated.

RCW 36.16.087
Deputies and employees—County treasurer—Prior deeds validated.
In all cases in which the county treasurer of any county in the state of Washington shall have executed a tax deed or deeds prior to February 21, 1903, either to his or her county or to any private person or persons or corporation whomsoever, said deed or deeds shall not be deemed invalid by reason of the county treasurer who executed the same not having affixed a seal of office to the same, or having affixed a seal not an official seal; nor shall said deed or deeds be deemed invalid by reason of the fact that at the date of the execution of said deed or deeds there was in the state of Washington no statute providing for an official seal for the office of county treasurer.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4010; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.087. Prior: 1903 c 15 § 2; RRS § 4126. Formerly RCW 36.16.080.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.090 - Office space.

RCW 36.16.090
Office space.
The boards of county commissioners of the several counties of the state shall provide a suitable furnished office for each of the county officers in their respective courthouses and may provide additional offices elsewhere for the officers at the board's discretion.
[ 2009 c 105 § 1; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.090. Prior: 1893 c 82 § 1; Code 1881 § 2677; 1869 p 306 § 15; 1854 p 422 § 15; RRS § 4032. SLC-RO-14.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.100 - Offices to be open certain days and hours.

RCW 36.16.100
Offices to be open certain days and hours.
All county and precinct offices shall be kept open for the transaction of business during such days and hours as the board of county commissioners shall by resolution prescribe.
[ 1963 c 4 § 36.16.100. Prior: 1955 ex.s. c 9 § 2; prior: 1951 c 100 § 1; 1941 c 113 § 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1941 § 9963-1, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.115 - Vacancy in partisan elective office—Appointment of acting official.

RCW 36.16.115
Vacancy in partisan elective office—Appointment of acting official.
Where a vacancy occurs in any partisan county elective office, other than a member of the county legislative authority, the county legislative authority may appoint an employee that was serving as a deputy or assistant in such office at the time the vacancy occurred as an acting official to perform all necessary duties to continue normal office operations. The acting official will serve until a successor is either elected or appointed as required by law. This section does not apply to any vacancy occurring in a charter county which has charter provisions inconsistent with this section.
[ 1981 c 180 § 3.]
NOTES:
Severability—1981 c 180: See note following RCW 42.12.040.
Election of successor: RCW 42.12.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.120 - Officers must complete business.

RCW 36.16.120
Officers must complete business.
All county officers shall complete the business of their offices, to the time of the expiration of their respective terms, and in case any officer, at the close of his or her term, leaves to his or her successor official labor to be performed, which it was his or her duty to perform, he or she shall be liable to his or her successor for the full value of such services.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4011; 1963 c 4 § 36.16.120. Prior: 1890 p 315 § 43; RRS § 4031.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.125 - Elected officials—Abandonment of responsibilities—Declaratory judgment—Compensation denied during abandonment.

RCW 36.16.125
Elected officials—Abandonment of responsibilities—Declaratory judgment—Compensation denied during abandonment.
The county legislative authority of a county may cause an action to be filed in the superior court of that county for a declaratory judgment finding that a county elected official has abandoned his or her responsibilities by being absent from the county and failing to perform his or her official duties for a period of at least thirty consecutive days, but not including: (1) Absences approved by the county legislative authority; or (2) absences arising from leave taken for legitimate medical or disability purposes. If such a declaratory judgment is issued, the county official is no longer eligible to receive compensation from the date the declaratory judgment is issued until the court issues a subsequent declaratory judgment finding that the county official has commenced performing his or her responsibilities.
[ 1999 c 71 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.130 - Group false arrest insurance for law enforcement personnel.

RCW 36.16.130
Group false arrest insurance for law enforcement personnel.
Any county may contract with an insurance company authorized to do business in this state to provide group false arrest insurance for its law enforcement personnel and pursuant thereto may use such portion of its revenues to pay the premiums therefor as the county may determine.
[ 1963 c 127 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.136 - Liability insurance for officers and employees.

RCW 36.16.136
Liability insurance for officers and employees.
The board of county commissioners of each county may purchase liability insurance with such limits as they may deem reasonable for the purpose of protecting their officials and employees against liability for personal or bodily injuries and property damage arising from their acts or omissions while performing or in good faith purporting to perform their official duties.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 59 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.138 - Liability insurance for officers and employees of municipal corporations and political subdivisions authorized.

RCW 36.16.138
Liability insurance for officers and employees of municipal corporations and political subdivisions authorized.
Any board of commissioners, council, or board of directors or other governing board of any county, city, town, school district, port district, public utility district, water-sewer district, irrigation district, or other municipal corporation or political subdivision is authorized to purchase insurance to protect and hold personally harmless any of its commissioners, councilmembers, directors, or other governing board members, and any of its other officers, employees, and agents from any action, claim, or proceeding instituted against the foregoing individuals arising out of the performance, purported performance, or failure of performance, in good faith of duties for, or employment with, such institutions and to hold these individuals harmless from any expenses connected with the defense, settlement, or monetary judgments from such actions, claims, or proceedings. The purchase of such insurance for any of the foregoing individuals and the policy limits shall be discretionary with the municipal corporation or political subdivision, and such insurance shall not be considered to be compensation for these individuals.
The provisions of this section are cumulative and in addition to any other provision of law authorizing any municipal corporation or political subdivision to purchase liability insurance.
[ 1999 c 153 § 43; 1975 c 16 § 1.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Liability insurance for officers and employees authorized: RCW 28A.400.360, 28B.10.660, 35.21.205, 52.12.071, 53.08.205, 54.16.095, 57.08.105, and 87.03.162.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.139 - Insurance and workers' compensation for offenders performing community restitution.

RCW 36.16.139
Insurance and workers' compensation for offenders performing community restitution.
The legislative authority of a county may purchase liability insurance in an amount it deems reasonable to protect the county, its officers, and employees against liability for the wrongful acts of offenders or injury or damage incurred by offenders in the course of community restitution imposed by court order or pursuant to RCW 13.40.080. The legislative authority of a county may elect to treat offenders as employees and/or workers under Title 51 RCW.
[ 2002 c 175 § 32; 1984 c 24 § 3.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2002 c 175: See note following RCW 7.80.130.
Workers' compensation coverage of offenders performing community restitution: RCW 51.12.045.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.140 - Public auction sales, where held.

RCW 36.16.140
Public auction sales, where held.
Public auction sales of property conducted by or for the county must be held at such places as the county legislative authority may direct. A county may conduct a public auction sale by electronic media pursuant to RCW 36.16.145.
[ 2015 c 95 § 2. Prior: 1991 c 363 § 50; 1991 c 245 § 3; 1965 ex.s. c 23 § 6.]
NOTES:
Intent—2015 c 95: See note following RCW 36.16.145.
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
Building permit—County must require payroll estimate under industrial insurance act: RCW 51.12.070.
Public lands—Advertisement—Hours: RCW 79.11.165.
Sales of county property, where held: RCW 36.34.080.
Tax sales, where held: RCW 84.64.080, 36.35.120.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.16 - County Officers—General. › 36.16.145 - Public auction sales—Conducted by electronic media.

RCW 36.16.145
Public auction sales—Conducted by electronic media.
(1) A county treasurer may conduct a public auction sale by electronic media.
(2) In a public auction sale by electronic media, the county treasurer may:
(a) Require persons to provide a deposit to participate;
(b) Accept bids for as long as the treasurer deems necessary; and
(c) Require electronic funds transfers to pay any deposits and a winning bid.
(3) At least fourteen days prior to the beginning of a public auction sale by electronic media, the county treasurer must:
(a) Publish notice of the sale once a week during two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county; and
(b) Post notice of the sale in a conspicuous place in the county courthouse and on the county's internet website.
(4) A deposit paid by a winning bidder in a public auction sale by electronic media must be applied to the balance due. If a winning bidder does not comply with the terms of the sale, the winning bidder's deposit will be forfeited and credited to the county treasurer's operations and maintenance fund. Deposits paid by nonwinning bidders must be refunded within ten business days of the close of the sale.
(5) All property sold at a public auction sale by electronic media is offered and sold as is.
(6) In a public auction sale by electronic media, a county treasurer is not liable for:
(a) Known or unknown conditions of the property, including but not limited to errors in the assessor's records; or
(b) Failure of an electronic device not owned, operated, or managed by the county that prevents a person from participating in the sale.
(7) For purposes of this section:
(a) "Electronic funds transfer" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 82.32.085.
(b) "Internet" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 19.270.010.
(c) "Public auction sale by electronic media" means a transaction conducted via the internet that includes invitations for bids to purchase property submitted by an auctioneer and bids to purchase property submitted by sale participants, culminating in an auctioneer's acceptance of the highest or most favorable bid. Invitations and bids are submitted through an electronic device, including but not limited to a computer.
[ 2015 c 95 § 3.]
NOTES:
Intent—2015 c 95: "The legislature intends to grant counties in Washington clear authority to conduct public auctions via the internet, potentially reducing sale costs and enabling more bidders to participate." [ 2015 c 95 § 1.]