ADOPTION AND ABANDONMENT OF CHARTER CODE CITY CLASSIFICATION

RCW 35A.10
in effect

RCW 35A.10.010 Laws applicable to charter code cities.

The classifications of municipalities which existed prior to the time this title goes into effect — first-class cities, second-class cities, unclassified cities, and towns — and the restrictions, limitations, duties and obligations specifically imposed by law upon such classes of cities and towns, shall have no application to charter code cities, but every charter code city, by adopting such classification, has elected to be governed by its charter and by the provisions of this title, with the powers thereby granted. The classifications of municipalities which existed prior to the time this title goes into effect — first-class cities, second-class cities, unclassified cities, and towns — and the restrictions, limitations, duties and obligations specifically imposed by law upon such classes of cities and towns, shall have no application to charter code cities, but every charter code city, by adopting such classification, has elected to be governed by its charter and by the provisions of this title, with the powers thereby granted.

RCW 35A.10.020 Abandonment of charter code city classification.

Any charter code city, which has been so classified under the provisions of this title for more than six years may abandon such classification and elect to be governed according to its charter under the general law relating to charter cities of the classification held by such city immediately prior to becoming a charter code city, if any, or may elect to be governed by the general law relating to charter cities of the highest class, or other class, for which it is qualified by population. Any charter code city, which has been so classified under the provisions of this title for more than six years may abandon such classification and elect to be governed according to its charter under the general law relating to charter cities of the classification held by such city immediately prior to becoming a charter code city, if any, or may elect to be governed by the general law relating to charter cities of the highest class, or other class, for which it is qualified by population.

RCW 35A.10.030 Resolution or petition for change of classification — Election.

Upon the passage of a resolution of the legislative body of a charter code city, or upon the filing with the county auditor of a sufficient petition signed by registered voters of a charter code city in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election therein, proposing abandonment of the classification of charter code city and that the city be governed under its charter and the general law relating to cities of the classification named in the petition or resolution, the legislative body thereof shall cause the propositions to 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 passage of the resolution or the filing of the certificate of sufficiency of the petition. Notice of election shall be given, the election conducted, and results declared generally as provided in chapter 35A.02 RCW, insofar as such provisions are applicable. If a majority of the votes cast upon such proposition are in favor of abandonment of the classification of charter code city, upon the certification of the record of election to the office of the secretary of state, such charter city shall be classified as a city of the class selected and shall be governed by the laws relating thereto. Upon the passage of a resolution of the legislative body of a charter code city, or upon the filing with the county auditor of a sufficient petition signed by registered voters of a charter code city in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election therein, proposing abandonment of the classification of charter code city and that the city be governed under its charter and the general law relating to cities of the classification named in the petition or resolution, the legislative body thereof shall cause the propositions to 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 passage of the resolution or the filing of the certificate of sufficiency of the petition. Notice of election shall be given, the election conducted, and results declared generally as provided in chapter 35A.02 RCW, insofar as such provisions are applicable. If a majority of the votes cast upon such proposition are in favor of abandonment of the classification of charter code city, upon the certification of the record of election to the office of the secretary of state, such charter city shall be classified as a city of the class selected and shall be governed by the laws relating thereto.

RCW 35A.10.040 No subsequent vote for six years.

When a proposition for abandonment of the classification of charter code city has been submitted to the voters of the charter code city in an election and has been rejected by a majority of such voters, such proposition shall not again be submitted to the voters for six years thereafter. When a proposition for abandonment of the classification of charter code city has been submitted to the voters of the charter code city in an election and has been rejected by a majority of such voters, such proposition shall not again be submitted to the voters for six years thereafter.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.10&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026