AMENDMENT OR REVISION OF CHARTERS OF CHARTER CODE CITIES

RCW 35A.09

in effect

RCW 35A.09.010 Amendment of charter — Initiated by legislative body.

The charter of a charter code city may be amended by proposals therefor submitted by resolution of the legislative authority of such city to the electors thereof at any general election, after publication of such proposed charter amendment in the manner provided in chapter 35A.08 RCW for publication of a proposed charter, and upon notice of election as provided by law. If such proposed charter amendment is ratified by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon it shall become a part of the charter organic law governing such charter code city. The charter of a charter code city may be amended by proposals therefor submitted by resolution of the legislative authority of such city to the electors thereof at any general election, after publication of such proposed charter amendment in the manner provided in chapter 35A.08 RCW for publication of a proposed charter, and upon notice of election as provided by law. If such proposed charter amendment is ratified by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon it shall become a part of the charter organic law governing such charter code city.

RCW 35A.09.020 Petition for submission of charter amendment.

Upon the filing with the county auditor of a sufficient petition signed by registered voters of a charter code city, in number equal to at least ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking the adoption of a specified charter amendment set forth in the petition, providing for any matter within the realm of local affairs, or municipal business, or structure of municipal government, offices, and departments, said amendment shall be submitted to the voters at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days, or at a special election to be held for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days after the filing of the certificate of sufficiency of the petition. The proposed charter amendment shall be published as provided in RCW 35A.09.050 . Upon approval by a majority of the registered voters voting thereon, such amendment shall become a part of the charter organic law governing such charter code city. Upon the filing with the county auditor of a sufficient petition signed by registered voters of a charter code city, in number equal to at least ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking the adoption of a specified charter amendment set forth in the petition, providing for any matter within the realm of local affairs, or municipal business, or structure of municipal government, offices, and departments, said amendment shall be submitted to the voters at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days, or at a special election to be held for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days after the filing of the certificate of sufficiency of the petition. The proposed charter amendment shall be published as provided in RCW 35A.09.050 . Upon approval by a majority of the registered voters voting thereon, such amendment shall become a part of the charter organic law governing such charter code city.

RCW 35A.09.030 New or revised charter — Petition — Charter commission.

On the petition of a number of qualified electors of a charter code city equal to ten percent of the total votes cast at the last preceding municipal general election, the legislative body of such charter code city shall, or without such petition, may, by resolution, cause an election to be held for the election of a charter commission of fifteen freeholders for the purpose of preparing a new or revised charter for the city by altering, revising, adding to, or repealing the existing charter including all amendments thereto. The members of the charter commission shall be qualified and nominated as provided by chapter 35A.08 RCW. At such election the proposition of whether or not a charter commission shall be created at all shall be separately stated on the ballots and unless a majority of the votes cast upon that proposition favor it, no further steps shall be taken in the proceedings. On the petition of a number of qualified electors of a charter code city equal to ten percent of the total votes cast at the last preceding municipal general election, the legislative body of such charter code city shall, or without such petition, may, by resolution, cause an election to be held for the election of a charter commission of fifteen freeholders for the purpose of preparing a new or revised charter for the city by altering, revising, adding to, or repealing the existing charter including all amendments thereto. The members of the charter commission shall be qualified and nominated as provided by chapter 35A.08 RCW. At such election the proposition of whether or not a charter commission shall be created at all shall be separately stated on the ballots and unless a majority of the votes cast upon that proposition favor it, no further steps shall be taken in the proceedings.

RCW 35A.09.040 Submission of new or revised charter — Election.

Within ten days after the results of the election authorized by RCW 35A.09.030 have been determined, if a majority of the votes cast favor the proposition, the members of the charter commission elected thereat shall convene and prepare a new or revised charter by altering, revising, adding to, or repealing the existing charter including all amendments thereto and within one hundred and eighty days thereafter file it with the county auditor. The charter commission shall be organized, vacancies filled, alternative plans of government considered, and a public hearing held all in the manner provided in sections of chapter 35A.08 RCW relating to charter commissions, and the commission members shall be reimbursed for their expenses and may obtain technical and clerical assistance in the manner provided in chapter 35A.08 RCW. Upon the filing of the proposed new, altered, changed, or revised charter with the county auditor, it shall be submitted to the registered voters of the charter code city at an election conducted as provided in RCW 35A.09.060 . Within ten days after the results of the election authorized by RCW 35A.09.030 have been determined, if a majority of the votes cast favor the proposition, the members of the charter commission elected thereat shall convene and prepare a new or revised charter by altering, revising, adding to, or repealing the existing charter including all amendments thereto and within one hundred and eighty days thereafter file it with the county auditor. The charter commission shall be organized, vacancies filled, alternative plans of government considered, and a public hearing held all in the manner provided in sections of chapter 35A.08 RCW relating to charter commissions, and the commission members shall be reimbursed for their expenses and may obtain technical and clerical assistance in the manner provided in chapter 35A.08 RCW. Upon the filing of the proposed new, altered, changed, or revised charter with the county auditor, it shall be submitted to the registered voters of the charter code city at an election conducted as provided in RCW 35A.09.060 .

RCW 35A.09.050 Publication of proposed charter.

The proposed new, altered, or revised charter shall be published in the newspaper having the largest general circulation within the city at least once each week for four weeks next preceding the day of submitting the same to the electors for their approval. The proposed new, altered, or revised charter shall be published in the newspaper having the largest general circulation within the city at least once each week for four weeks next preceding the day of submitting the same to the electors for their approval.

RCW 35A.09.060 Conduct of elections.

The election of the charter commission and the election upon the proposition of adopting the proposed new, altered, or revised charter, may be general or special elections held within the corresponding time period specified in chapter 35A.08 RCW, and except as herein provided, said elections, the notice specifying the objects thereof, the returns, the canvassing, and the declaration of the result shall be governed by the laws regulating and controlling elections in the charter code city. The election of the charter commission and the election upon the proposition of adopting the proposed new, altered, or revised charter, may be general or special elections held within the corresponding time period specified in chapter 35A.08 RCW, and except as herein provided, said elections, the notice specifying the objects thereof, the returns, the canvassing, and the declaration of the result shall be governed by the laws regulating and controlling elections in the charter code city.

RCW 35A.09.070 Effect of favorable vote.

If a majority of the voters voting upon the adoption of the proposed new, altered, or revised charter favor it, it shall become the charter of the charter code city and the organic law thereof, superseding any existing charter; but if any offices are abolished or dispensed with by the new, altered, or revised charter, and any new offices created thereby, such charter shall not go into effect until the election and qualification of such new officers at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days, or at a special election to be held for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days after approval of such charter by the voters. If a majority of the voters voting upon the adoption of the proposed new, altered, or revised charter favor it, it shall become the charter of the charter code city and the organic law thereof, superseding any existing charter; but if any offices are abolished or dispensed with by the new, altered, or revised charter, and any new offices created thereby, such charter shall not go into effect until the election and qualification of such new officers at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days, or at a special election to be held for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days after approval of such charter by the voters.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.09&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026