reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.07 - Disincorporation. › 35.07.250 - Involuntary dissolution of towns—Hearing.

RCW 35.07.250
Involuntary dissolution of towns—Hearing.
Any person owning property in or qualified to vote in the town may appear at the hearing and file written objections to the granting of the petition. If the court finds that the town has failed for two successive years to hold its regular municipal election or that its officers elected at a regular election have failed to qualify for two successive years thereby causing the government of the town to cease to function, it shall enter an order for disincorporation of the town.
[ 1965 c 7 § 35.07.250. Prior: 1925 ex.s. c 76 § 3, part; RRS § 8931-3, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.07 - Disincorporation. › 35.07.260 - Involuntary dissolution of towns—Alternative forms of order.

RCW 35.07.260
Involuntary dissolution of towns—Alternative forms of order.
(1) If the court finds that the town has no indebtedness and no assets, the order of dissolution shall be effective forthwith.
(2) If the court finds that the town has assets, but no indebtedness or liabilities, it shall order a sale of the assets other than cash by the sheriff in the manner provided by law for the sale of property on execution. The proceeds of the sale together with any money on hand in the treasury of the town, after deducting the costs of the proceeding and sale, shall be paid into the county treasury and placed to the credit of the school district in which the town is located.
(3) If the court finds that the town has indebtedness or liabilities and assets other than cash, it shall order the sale of the assets as provided in subsection (2) hereof and that the proceeds thereof and the cash on hand shall be applied to the payment of the indebtedness and liabilities.
(4) If the court finds that the town has indebtedness or liabilities, but no assets or that the assets are insufficient to pay the indebtedness and liabilities, it shall order the board of county commissioners to levy from year to year a tax on the taxable property within the boundaries of the former town until the indebtedness and liabilities are paid. All taxes delinquent at the date of dissolution when collected shall be applied to the payment of the indebtedness and liabilities. Any balance remaining from the collection of delinquent taxes and taxes levied under order of the court, after payment of the indebtedness and liabilities shall be placed to the credit of the school district in which the town is located.
[ 1965 c 7 § 35.07.260. Prior: 1925 ex.s. c 76 § 3, part; RRS § 8931-3, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.001 - Actions subject to review by boundary review board.

RCW 35.10.001
Actions subject to review by boundary review board.
Actions taken under chapter 35.10 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1989 c 84 § 27.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.203 - Purpose.

RCW 35.10.203
Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish clear and uniform provisions of law governing the consolidation of all types and classes of cities.
[ 1985 c 281 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.217 - Methods for annexation.

RCW 35.10.217
Methods for annexation.
The following methods are available for the annexation of all or a part of a city or town to another city or town:
(1) A petition for an election to vote upon the annexation, which proposed annexation is approved by the legislative body of the city or town from which the territory will be taken, may be submitted to the legislative body of the city or town to which annexation is proposed. An annexation under this subsection shall otherwise conform with the requirements for and procedures of a petition and election method of annexing unincorporated territory under chapter 35.13 RCW, except for the requirement for the approval of the annexation by the city or town from which the territory would be taken.
(2) The legislative body of a city or town may on its own initiative by resolution indicate its desire to be annexed to a city or town either in whole or in part, or the legislative body of a city or town proposing to annex all or part of another city or town may initiate the annexation by adopting a resolution indicating that desire. In case such resolution is passed, such resolution shall be transmitted to the other affected city or town. The annexation is effective if the other city or town adopts a resolution concurring in the annexation, unless the owners of property in the area proposed to be annexed, equal in value to sixty percent or more of the assessed valuation of the property in the area, protest the proposed annexation in writing to the legislative body of the city or town proposing to annex the area, within thirty days of the adoption of the second resolution accepting the annexation. Notices of the public hearing at which the second resolution is adopted shall be mailed to the owners of the property within the area proposed to be annexed in the same manner that notices of a hearing on a proposed local improvement district are required to be mailed by a city or town as provided in chapter 35.43 RCW. An annexation under this subsection shall be potentially subject to review by a boundary review board or other annexation review board after the adoption of the initial resolution, and the second resolution may not be adopted until the proposed annexation has been approved by the board.
(3) The owners of property located in a city or town may petition for annexation to another city or town. An annexation under this subsection shall conform with the requirements for and procedures of a direct petition method of annexing unincorporated territory, except that the legislative body of the city or town from which the territory would be taken must approve the annexation before it may proceed.
(4) All annexations under this section are subject to potential review by the local boundary review board or annexation review board.
[ 1986 c 253 § 1; 1985 c 281 § 15; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.240 - Annexation—Canvass of votes.

RCW 35.10.240
Annexation—Canvass of votes.
In all cases of annexation, the county canvassing board or boards shall canvass the votes cast thereat.
In an election on the question of the annexation of all or a part of a city to another city, the votes cast in the city or portion thereof to be annexed shall be canvassed, and if a majority of the votes cast be in favor of annexation, the results shall be included in a statement indicating the total number of votes cast.
A proposition for the assumption of indebtedness outside the constitutional and/or statutory limits by the other city or cities in which the indebtedness did not originate shall be deemed approved if a majority of at least three-fifths of the voters of each city in which the indebtedness did not originate votes in favor thereof, and the number of persons voting on such proposition constitutes not less than forty percent of the total number of votes cast in such cities in which indebtedness did not originate at the last preceding general election: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if general obligation bond indebtedness was incurred by action by the city legislative body, a proposition for the assumption of such indebtedness by the other city or cities in which such indebtedness did not originate shall be deemed approved if a majority of the voters of each city in which such indebtedness did not originate votes in favor thereof.
A duly certified copy of such statement of an annexation election shall be filed with the legislative body of each of the cities affected and recorded upon its minutes, and it shall be the duty of the clerk, or other officer performing the duties of clerk, of each of such legislative bodies, to transmit to the secretary of state and the office of financial management a duly certified copy of the record of such statement.
[ 1985 c 281 § 16; 1981 c 157 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 12; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 7; 1967 c 73 § 17; 1965 c 7 § 35.10.240. Prior: 1929 c 64 § 5; RRS § 8909-5. Formerly RCW 35.10.070.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective dates—Construction—1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.
Validating—1929 c 64: "That the attempted consolidation of two or more contiguous municipal corporations pursuant to the provisions of either chapter 167 of the Laws of 1927 or chapter 293 of the Laws of 1927 be, and any such consolidation of any such cities or towns, is hereby in all respects validated." [ 1929 c 64 § 16.]
Canvassing returns, generally: Chapter 29A.60 RCW.
Conduct of elections—Canvass: RCW 29A.60.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.265 - Annexation—When effective—Ordinance.

RCW 35.10.265
Annexation—When effective—Ordinance.
Immediately after the filing of the statement of an annexation election, the legislative body of the annexing city may, if it deems it wise or expedient, adopt an ordinance providing for the annexation. Upon the date fixed in the ordinance of annexation, the area annexed shall become a part of the annexing city. The clerk of the annexing city shall transmit a certified copy of this ordinance to the secretary of state and the office of financial management.
[ 1985 c 281 § 17; 1981 c 157 § 3; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 10.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.300 - Disposition of property and assets following consolidation or annexation.

RCW 35.10.300
Disposition of property and assets following consolidation or annexation.
Upon the consolidation of two or more cities, or the annexation of any city to another city, as provided in this chapter, the title to all property and assets owned by, or held in trust for, such former city shall vest in such consolidated city, or annexing city, as the case may be: PROVIDED, That if any such former city, shall be indebted, the proceeds of the sale of any such property and assets not required for the use of such consolidated city, or annexing city, shall be applied to the payment of such indebtedness, if any exist at the time of such sale.
[ 1985 c 281 § 18; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 12; 1965 c 7 § 35.10.300. Prior: 1929 c 64 § 11; RRS § 8909-11. Formerly RCW 35.10.100 and 35.11.080, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.310 - Assets and liabilities of component cities—Taxation to pay claims.

RCW 35.10.310
Assets and liabilities of component cities—Taxation to pay claims.
Such consolidation, or annexation, shall in no wise affect or impair the validity of claim or chose in action existing in favor of or against, any such former city so consolidated or annexed, or any proceeding pending in relation thereto, but such consolidated or annexing city shall collect such claims in favor of such former cities, and shall apply the proceeds to the payment of any just claims against them respectively, and shall when necessary levy and collect taxes against the taxable property within any such former city sufficient to pay all just claims against it.
[ 1985 c 281 § 19; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 13; 1965 c 7 § 35.10.310. Prior: 1929 c 64 § 12; RRS § 8909-12. Formerly RCW 35.10.110, 35.10.130, part, and 35.11.080, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.315 - Adoption of final budget and levy of property taxes.

RCW 35.10.315
Adoption of final budget and levy of property taxes.
Upon the consolidation of two or more cities, or the annexation of any city after March 1st and prior to the date of adopting the final budget and levying the property tax dollar rate in that year for the next calendar year, the legislative body of the consolidated city or the annexing city is authorized to adopt the final budget and to levy the property tax dollar rate for the consolidated cities and any city annexed.
[ 1985 c 281 § 20; 1973 1st ex.s. c 195 § 13; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 14.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective dates—Construction—1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.317 - Receipt of state funds.

RCW 35.10.317
Receipt of state funds.
Upon the consolidation of two or more cities, or the annexation of any city, the consolidated or annexing city shall receive all state funds to which the component cities would have been entitled to receive during the year when such consolidation or annexation became effective.
[ 1985 c 281 § 21; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 15.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.320 - Continuation of ordinances.

RCW 35.10.320
Continuation of ordinances.
All ordinances in force within any such former city or cities, at the time of consolidation or annexation, not in conflict with the laws governing the consolidated city, or with the ordinances of the former city having the largest population, as shown by the last determination of the office of financial management shall remain in full force and effect until superseded or repealed by the legislative body of the consolidated or annexing city, and shall be enforced by such city, but all ordinances of such former cities, in conflict with such ordinances shall be deemed repealed by, and from and after, such consolidation or annexation, but nothing in this section shall be construed to discharge any person from any liability, civil or criminal, for any violation of any ordinance of such former city or cities incurred prior to such consolidation or annexation.
[ 1985 c 281 § 22; 1981 c 157 § 4; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 16; 1965 c 7 § 35.10.320. Prior: 1929 c 64 § 13; RRS § 8909-13. Formerly RCW 35.10.120 and 35.11.080, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.331 - Unassumed indebtedness.

RCW 35.10.331
Unassumed indebtedness.
Unless indebtedness approved by the voters, contracted, or incurred prior to the date of consolidation or annexation as provided herein has been assumed by the voters in the other city or cities in which such indebtedness did not originate, such indebtedness continues to be the obligation of the city in which it originated, and the legislative body of the consolidated or annexing city shall continue to levy the necessary taxes within the former city that incurred this indebtedness to amortize such indebtedness.
[ 1985 c 281 § 23; 1969 ex.s. c 89 § 17.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.350 - Cancellation, acquisition of franchise or permit for operation of public service business in territory annexed.

RCW 35.10.350
Cancellation, acquisition of franchise or permit for operation of public service business in territory annexed.
See RCW 35.13.280.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.360 - Annexation—Transfer of fire department employees.

RCW 35.10.360
Annexation—Transfer of fire department employees.
(1) If any portion of a fire protection district is proposed for annexation to or incorporation into a city, code city, or town, both the fire protection district and the city, code city, or town shall jointly inform the employees of the fire protection district about hires, separations, terminations, and any other changes in employment that are a direct consequence of annexation or incorporations at the earliest reasonable opportunity.
(2) Upon the annexation of two or more cities or code cities, any employee of the fire department of the former city or cities who (a) was at the time of annexation employed exclusively or principally in performing the powers, duties, and functions which are to be performed by the fire department of the annexed city or code city, as the case may be, (b) will, as a direct consequence of annexation, be separated from the employ of the former city, code city or town, and (c) can perform the duties and meet the minimum requirements of the position to be filled, then such employee may transfer employment to the fire department of the annexing city, as provided in this section and RCW 35.10.365 and 35.10.370.
(3) For purposes of this section and RCW 35.10.365 and 35.10.370, employee means an individual whose employment has been terminated because of annexation by a city, code city or town.
[ 2009 c 60 § 1; 1986 c 254 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.370 - Annexation—Transfer of fire department employees—Notice—Time limitation.

RCW 35.10.370
Annexation—Transfer of fire department employees—Notice—Time limitation.
If, as a result of annexation of two or more cities, or code cities any employee is laid off who is eligible to transfer to the city, code city or town fire department under this section and RCW 35.10.360 and 35.10.365 the fire department shall notify the employee of the right to transfer and the employee shall have ninety days to transfer employment to the annexing city or code city fire department.
[ 1986 c 254 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.400 - Consolidation.

RCW 35.10.400
Consolidation.
Two or more contiguous cities located in the same or different counties may consolidate into one city by proceedings in conformity with the provisions of this chapter. When cities are separated by water and/or tide or shore lands they shall be deemed contiguous for all the purposes of this chapter and, upon a consolidation of such cities under the provisions of this chapter, any such intervening water and/or tide or shore lands shall become a part of the consolidated city. The consolidated city shall become a noncharter code city operating under Title 35A RCW.
[ 1985 c 281 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.410 - Consolidation—Submission of ballot proposal—Initiation by resolution of legislative body.

RCW 35.10.410
Consolidation—Submission of ballot proposal—Initiation by resolution of legislative body.
The submission of a ballot proposal to the voters of two or more contiguous cities for the consolidation of these contiguous cities may be caused by the adoption of a joint resolution, by a majority vote of each city legislative body, seeking consolidation of such contiguous cities. The joint resolution shall provide for submission of the question to the voters at the next general municipal election, if one is to be held more than ninety days but not more than one hundred eighty days after the passage of the joint resolution, or shall call for a special election to be held for that purpose at the next special election date, as specified in RCW 29A.04.330, that occurs ninety or more days after the passage of the joint resolution. The legislative bodies of the cities also shall notify the county legislative authority of each county in which the cities are located of the proposed consolidation.
[ 2015 c 53 § 22; 1985 c 281 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.420 - Consolidation—Submission of ballot proposal—Initiation by petition.

RCW 35.10.420
Consolidation—Submission of ballot proposal—Initiation by petition.
The submission of a ballot proposal to the voters of two or more contiguous cities for the consolidation of these contiguous cities may also be caused by the filing of a petition with the legislative body of each such city, signed by the voters of each city in number equal to not less than ten percent of voters who voted in the city at the last general municipal election therein, seeking consolidation of such contiguous cities. A copy of the petition shall be forwarded immediately by each city to the auditor of the county or counties within which that city is located.
The county auditor or auditors shall determine the sufficiency of the signatures in each petition within ten days of receipt of the copies and immediately notify the cities proposed to be consolidated of the sufficiency. If each of the petitions is found to have sufficient valid signatures, the auditor or auditors shall call a special election at which the question of whether such cities shall consolidate shall be submitted to the voters of each of such cities. If a general election is to be held more than ninety days but not more than one hundred eighty days after the filing of the last petition, the question shall be submitted at that election. Otherwise the question shall be submitted at a special election to be called for that purpose at the next special election date, as specified in RCW 29A.04.330, that occurs ninety or more days after the date when the last petition was filed.
If each of the petitions is found to have sufficient valid signatures, the auditor or auditors also shall notify the county legislative authority of each county in which the cities are located of the proposed consolidation.
Petitions shall conform with the requirements for form prescribed in RCW 35A.01.040, except different colored paper may be used on petitions circulated in the different cities. A legal description of the cities need not be included in the petitions.
[ 2015 c 53 § 23; 1995 c 196 § 7; 1985 c 281 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.430 - Consolidation—Form of government.

RCW 35.10.430
Consolidation—Form of government.
A joint resolution or petition shall prescribe the form or plan of government of the proposed consolidated city, or shall provide that a ballot proposition to determine the form or plan of government shall be submitted to the voters of the cities proposed to be consolidated. The plans or forms of government include: Mayor/council, council/manager, and commission. If a commission form or plan of government is prescribed or chosen by the voters, the commission shall be subject to chapter 35.17 RCW and the noncharter code city shall be assumed to have had a commission plan or form of government prior to its becoming a noncharter code city, as provided in RCW 35A.02.130. However, three commissioners would be elected at the election provided in RCW 35.10.480.
[ 1985 c 281 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.440 - Consolidation—Assumption of general obligation indebtedness.

RCW 35.10.440
Consolidation—Assumption of general obligation indebtedness.
A joint resolution or a petition may contain a proposal that a general obligation indebtedness of one or more of the cities proposed to be consolidated shall be assumed by the proposed consolidated city, in which event, the joint resolution or petition shall specify the improvement or service for which such general obligation indebtedness was incurred and state the amount of any such indebtedness then outstanding and the rate of interest payable thereon.
[ 1985 c 281 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.450 - Consolidation—Public meetings on proposal—Role of boundary review board.

RCW 35.10.450
Consolidation—Public meetings on proposal—Role of boundary review board.
The county legislative authority, or the county legislative authorities jointly, shall set the date, time, and place for one or more public meetings on the proposed consolidation, and name a person or persons to chair the meetings. There shall be at least one public meeting in each county in which one or more of the cities proposed to be consolidated is located. A county legislative authority may name the members of the boundary review board, if one exists in the county, to chair one or more of the public meetings held in that county. In addition to any meeting held by the county, a boundary review board, if requested by a majority of the county legislative authority, may hold a public meeting on proposed consolidation of cities. The meeting shall be limited to receiving comments and written materials from citizens and city officials on the proposed consolidation of that portion of cities located in the county which the boundary review board serves. The record and proceedings of the boundary review board are supplemental and advisory to the consolidation of cities. If a boundary review board meets pursuant to this section, the boundary review board may include, as part of its record, comments pertaining to the probable environmental impact of the proposed consolidation. The record of the meeting and advisory comments of the board, if any, must be filed with the county legislative authority no later than twenty days before the date of the election at which the question of consolidating the cities is presented to the voters. The boundary review board shall not have any authority or jurisdiction on city consolidations under chapter 36.93 RCW. A public meeting shall be held at each specified date, time, and place. The public meetings of the county or the boundary review board shall be held at least twenty but not more than forty-five days before the date of the election at which the question of consolidating the cities is presented to the voters.
At each public meeting, each city proposed to be consolidated shall present testimony and written materials concerning the following topics: (1) The rate or rates of property taxes imposed by the city, and the purposes of these levies; (2) the excise taxes imposed by the city, including the tax bases and rates; and (3) the indebtedness of the city, including general indebtedness, both voter-approved and nonvoter-approved, as well as the city's special indebtedness, such as revenue bond indebtedness. Any interested person, including the officials of the cities proposed to be consolidated, may present information concerning the proposed consolidation and testify for or against the proposed consolidations.
Notice of each public meeting shall be published by the county within whose boundaries the public meeting is held in the normal manner notices of county hearings are published.
[ 1985 c 281 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.460 - Consolidation—Ballot questions.

RCW 35.10.460
Consolidation—Ballot questions.
If a proposal for assumption of indebtedness is to be submitted to the voters of a city in which the indebtedness did not originate, the proposal shall be separately stated and the ballots shall contain, as a separate proposition to be voted on, the words "For Assumption of Indebtedness to be paid by the levy of annual property taxes in excess of regular property taxes" and "Against Assumption of Indebtedness to be paid by the levy of annual property taxes in excess of regular property taxes" or words equivalent thereto. If the question of the form or plan of government is to be submitted to the voters, the question shall be separately stated and the ballots shall contain, as a separate proposition to be voted on, the option of a voter to select one of the three forms or plans of government. If the question of the name of the proposed consolidated city is to be submitted to the voters, the question shall be separately stated and the ballots shall contain, as a separate proposition to be voted on, the option of a voter to select one of the names of the proposed consolidated city.
[ 1995 c 196 § 1; 1985 c 281 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.480 - Consolidation—Elections of officials—Effective date of consolidation.

RCW 35.10.480
Consolidation—Elections of officials—Effective date of consolidation.
If the voters of each of the cities proposed to consolidate approve the consolidation, elections to nominate and elect the elected officials of the consolidated city shall be held at times specified in RCW 35A.02.050. If the joint resolution or the petitions prescribe that councilmembers of the consolidated city shall be elected from wards, then the councilmembers shall be elected from wards under RCW 35A.12.180. Terms shall be established as if the city is initially incorporating.
The newly elected officials shall take office immediately upon their qualification. The effective date of the consolidation shall be when a majority of the newly elected members of the legislative body assume office. The clerk of the newly consolidated city shall transmit a duly certified copy of an abstract of the votes to authorize the consolidation and of the election of the newly elected city officials to the secretary of state and the office of financial management.
[ 1995 c 196 § 3; 1985 c 281 § 11.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.490 - Consolidation—Name of city.

RCW 35.10.490
Consolidation—Name of city.
A joint resolution or the petitions may prescribe the name of the proposed consolidated city or may provide that a ballot proposition to determine the name of the proposed consolidated city be submitted to the voters of the cities proposed to be consolidated. If two alternative names are submitted, the name receiving the simple majority vote of the voters voting on the question shall become the name of the consolidated city. If the name for the proposed consolidated city is not prescribed by the joint resolution or petition, or a proposition on the name is not submitted to the voters of the cities proposed to be consolidated, then the newly consolidated city shall be known as the city of . . . . . . (listing the names of the cities that were consolidated in alphabetical order). The legislative body of the newly consolidated city may present another name or two names for the newly consolidated city to the city voters for their approval or rejection at the next municipal general election held after the effective date of the consolidation. If only one alternative name is submitted, this alternative name shall become the name of the consolidated city if approved by a simple majority vote of the voters voting on the question. If two alternative names are submitted, the name receiving the simple majority vote of the voters voting on the question shall become the name of the consolidated city.
[ 1995 c 196 § 4; 1985 c 281 § 12.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.500 - Consolidation—Costs of election and public meetings.

RCW 35.10.500
Consolidation—Costs of election and public meetings.
If consolidation is authorized, the costs of such election and the public meetings shall be borne by the city formed by such consolidation. If the consolidation is not authorized, the costs of election and the public meetings shall be borne proportionately by each city affected, in that ratio in which the number of inhabitants residing in the total area in which the election was held, as shown by the figures released at the most recent state or federal census or by a determination of the office of financial management.
[ 1985 c 281 § 13.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.510 - Consolidation—Transfer of fire department employees.

RCW 35.10.510
Consolidation—Transfer of fire department employees.
Upon the consolidation of two or more cities or code cities, any employee of the fire department of the former city or cities who (1) was at the time of consolidation employed exclusively or principally in performing the powers, duties, and functions which are to be performed by the fire department of the consolidated city or code city, as the case may be, (2) will, as a direct consequence of consolidation, be separated from the employ of the former city, code city or town, and (3) can perform the duties and meet the minimum requirements of the position to be filled, then such employee may transfer employment to the fire department of the consolidated city, as provided in this section and RCW 35.10.520 and 35.10.530.
For purposes of this section and RCW 35.10.520 and 35.10.530, employee means an individual whose employment has been terminated because of a consolidation of two or more cities, code cities or towns.
[ 1986 c 254 § 1.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Legislative study—1986 c 254 §§ 1-3: "Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1987. The appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives shall conduct a study of the transfer rights of employees during the consolidation of cities and code cities and make recommendations to the legislature at the start of the 1987 legislative session." [ 1986 c 254 § 16.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.530 - Consolidation—Transfer of fire department employees—Notice—Time limitation.

RCW 35.10.530
Consolidation—Transfer of fire department employees—Notice—Time limitation.
If, as a result of consolidation of two or more cities, or code cities, any employee is laid off who is eligible to transfer to the city fire department pursuant to this section and RCW 35.10.510 and 35.10.520, the city fire department shall notify the employee of the right to so transfer and the employee shall have ninety days to transfer employment to the consolidating city, or code city fire department.
[ 1986 c 254 § 3.]
NOTES:
Effective date—Legislative study—1986 c 254 §§ 1-3: See note following RCW 35.10.510.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.10 - Consolidation and Annexation of Cities and Towns. › 35.10.550 - Consolidation—Wards.

RCW 35.10.550
Consolidation—Wards.
Unless a commission form of government is prescribed or submitted to the voters under RCW 35.10.430, a joint resolution or petition may prescribe that wards be used to elect the councilmembers of the consolidated city. The joint resolution or petition must contain a map of the proposed consolidated city that clearly delineates the boundaries of each ward. Each ward in the proposed consolidated city shall contain approximately the same population. To the greatest extent possible, the integrity of the boundaries of the cities that are proposed to be consolidated shall be respected when the wards are drawn so that the territory within each city is: (1) Included within the fewest number of wards, to the extent the city has a population that is greater than the maximum population established for each ward; or (2) included wholly within one ward, to the extent the city has a population that is equal to or less than the maximum population established for each ward. After the election specified in RCW 35.10.480, election wards may be modified in the manner specified in RCW 35A.12.180.
[ 1995 c 196 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.001 - Actions subject to review by boundary review board.

RCW 35.13.001
Actions subject to review by boundary review board.
Actions taken under chapter 35.13 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.
[ 1989 c 84 § 28.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.005 - Annexations beyond urban growth areas prohibited.

RCW 35.13.005
Annexations beyond urban growth areas prohibited.
No city or town located in a county in which urban growth areas have been designated under RCW 36.70A.110 may annex territory beyond an urban growth area.
[ 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 § 30.]
NOTES:
Severability—Part, section headings not law—1990 1st ex.s. c 17: See RCW 36.70A.900 and 36.70A.901.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.010 - Authority for annexation.

RCW 35.13.010
Authority for annexation.
Any portion of a county not incorporated as part of a city or town but lying contiguous thereto may become a part of the city or town by annexation. An area proposed to be annexed to a city or town shall be deemed contiguous thereto even though separated by water or tide or shore lands on which no bona fide residence is maintained by any person.
[ 2009 c 402 § 2; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.010. Prior: 1959 c 311 § 1; prior: (i) 1937 c 110 § 1; 1907 c 245 § 1; RRS § 8896. (ii) 1945 c 128 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 8909-10.]
NOTES:
Intent—2009 c 402: See note following RCW 35.13.490.
Validation of certain incorporations and annexations—Municipal corporations of the fourth class—1961 ex.s. c 16: See note following RCW 35.21.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.015 - Election method—Resolution for election—Contents of resolution.

RCW 35.13.015
Election method—Resolution for election—Contents of resolution.
In addition to the method prescribed by RCW 35.13.020 for the commencement of annexation proceedings, the legislative body of any city or town may, whenever it shall determine by resolution that the best interests and general welfare of such city or town would be served by the annexation of unincorporated territory contiguous to such city or town, file a certified copy of the resolution with the board of county commissioners of the county in which said territory is located. The resolution of the city or town initiating such election shall, subject to RCW 35.02.170, describe the boundaries of the area to be annexed, as nearly as may be state the number of voters residing therein, pray for the calling of an election to be held among the qualified voters therein upon the question of annexation, and provide that said city or town will pay the cost of the annexation election. The resolution may require that there also be submitted to the electorate of the territory sought to be annexed a proposition that all property within the area annexed shall, upon annexation, be assessed and taxed at the same rate and on the same basis as the property of such annexing city or town is assessed and taxed to pay for all or any portion of the then outstanding indebtedness of the city or town to which said area is annexed, approved by the voters, contracted, or incurred prior to, or existing at, the date of annexation. Whenever a city or town has prepared and filed a comprehensive plan for the area to be annexed as provided for in RCW 35.13.177 and 35.13.178, the resolution initiating the election may also provide for the simultaneous adoption of the comprehensive plan upon approval of annexation by the electorate of the area to be annexed.
[ 2022 c 26 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 220 § 6; 1973 1st ex.s. c 164 § 2; 1970 ex.s. c 52 § 6; 1967 c 73 § 7; 1965 ex.s. c 88 § 3; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.015. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 1.]
NOTES:
Legislative finding, intent—1975 1st ex.s. c 220: See note following RCW 35.02.170.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.020 - Election method—Petition for election—Signers—Rate of assessment in annexed area—Comprehensive plan—Filing and approval—Costs.

RCW 35.13.020
Election method—Petition for election—Signers—Rate of assessment in annexed area—Comprehensive plan—Filing and approval—Costs.
A petition for an election to vote upon the annexation of a portion of a county to a contiguous city or town signed by qualified voters resident in the area equal in number to twenty percent of the votes cast at the last election may be filed in the office of the board of county commissioners. The petition shall be filed with the legislative body of the city or town to which the annexation is proposed, and such legislative body shall, by resolution entered within sixty days from the date of presentation, notify the petitioners, either by mail or by publication in the same manner notice of hearing is required by RCW 35.13.040 to be published, of its approval or rejection of the proposed action. In approving the proposed action, the legislative body may require that there also be submitted to the electorate of the territory to be annexed, a proposition that all property within the area to be annexed shall, upon annexation be assessed and taxed at the same rate and on the same basis as the property of such annexing city or town is assessed and taxed to pay for all or any portion of the then outstanding indebtedness of the city or town to which said area is annexed, approved by the voters, contracted, or incurred prior to, or existing at, the date of annexation. Only after the legislative body has completed preparation and filing of a comprehensive plan for the area to be annexed as provided for in RCW 35.13.177 and 35.13.178, the legislative body in approving the proposed action, may require that the comprehensive plan be simultaneously adopted upon approval of annexation by the electorate of the area to be annexed. The approval of the legislative body shall be a condition precedent to the filing of such petition with the board of county commissioners as hereinafter provided. The costs of conducting such election shall be a charge against the city or town concerned. The proposition or questions provided for in this section may be submitted to the voters either separately or as a single proposition.
[ 2022 c 26 § 3; 1981 c 332 § 3; 1973 1st ex.s. c 164 § 3; 1967 c 73 § 8; 1965 ex.s. c 88 § 4; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.020. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 7; prior: 1951 c 248 § 6; 1907 c 245 § 2, part; RRS § 8897, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.030 - Election method—Petition for election—Content.

RCW 35.13.030
Election method—Petition for election—Content.
A petition filed with the county commissioners to call an annexation election shall, subject to RCW 35.02.170, particularly describe the boundaries of the area proposed to be annexed, state the number of voters residing therein as nearly as may be, state the provisions, if any there be, relating to assumption of debt by the owners of property of the area proposed to be annexed, and/or the simultaneous adoption of a comprehensive plan for the area proposed to be annexed, and shall pray for the calling of an election to be held among the qualified voters therein upon the question of annexation.
[ 2022 c 26 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 220 § 7; 1967 c 73 § 9; 1965 ex.s. c 88 § 5; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.030. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 8; prior: 1907 c 245 § 2, part; RRS § 8897, part.]
NOTES:
Legislative finding, intent—1975 1st ex.s. c 220: See note following RCW 35.02.170.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.040 - Election method—Hearing—Notice.

RCW 35.13.040
Election method—Hearing—Notice.
Upon the filing of approval by the review board of a twenty percent annexation petition under the election method to call an annexation election, the board of county commissioners at its next meeting shall fix a date for hearing thereon to be held not less than two weeks nor more than four weeks thereafter, of which hearing the petitioners must give notice by publication once each week at least two weeks prior thereto in some newspaper of general circulation in the area proposed to be annexed. Upon the day fixed, the board shall hear the petition, and if it complies with the requirements of law and has been approved by the review board, shall grant it. The hearing may be continued from time to time for an aggregate period not exceeding two weeks.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 164 § 4; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.040. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 9; prior: 1907 c 245 § 2, part; RRS § 8897, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.050 - Election method—Petition or resolution for election—Others covering same area barred from consideration, withdrawal.

RCW 35.13.050
Election method—Petition or resolution for election—Others covering same area barred from consideration, withdrawal.
After the filing with the board of county commissioners of a petition or resolution pursuant to RCW 35.13.015 to call an annexation election, pending the hearing under the twenty percent annexation petition under the election method and pending the election to be called thereunder, the board of county commissioners shall not consider any other petition or resolution involving any portion of the territory embraced therein: PROVIDED, That the petition or resolution may be withdrawn or a new petition or resolution embracing other or different boundaries substituted therefor by a majority of the signers thereof, or in the case of a resolution, by the legislative body of the city or town, and the same proceeding shall be taken as in the case of an original petition or resolution.
[ 1973 1st ex.s. c 164 § 5; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.050. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 10; prior: 1907 c 245 § 2, part; RRS § 8897, part.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.060 - Election method—Fixing date of election.

RCW 35.13.060
Election method—Fixing date of election.
Upon granting the petition under the twenty percent annexation petition under the election method, and after the auditor has certified the petition as being sufficient, the legislative body of the city or town shall indicate to the county auditor its preference for the date of the election on the annexation to be held, which shall be one of the dates for special elections provided under RCW 29A.04.330 that is sixty or more days after the date the preference is indicated. The county auditor shall call the special election at the special election date indicated by the city or town.
[ 2015 c 53 § 24; 1989 c 351 § 2; 1973 1st ex.s. c 164 § 6; 1965 c 7 § 35.13.060. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 12; prior: 1907 c 245 § 3, part; RRS § 8898, part.]
NOTES:
Election method, date for annexation election if review board's determination favorable: RCW 35.13.174.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 35 - Cities and Towns › Chapter 35.13 - Annexation of Unincorporated Areas. › 35.13.070 - Election method—Conduct of election.

RCW 35.13.070
Election method—Conduct of election.
An annexation election shall be held in accordance with the general election laws of the state, and only registered voters who have resided in the area proposed to be annexed for ninety days immediately preceding the election shall be allowed to vote therein.
[ 1965 c 7 § 35.13.070. Prior: 1961 c 282 § 15; prior: 1907 c 245 § 4, part; RRS § 8899, part.]
NOTES:
Conduct of elections: RCW 29A.60.010.