PROCEDURE FOR CITY OPERATING UNDER CHARTER TO BECOME A CHARTER CODE CITY

RCW 35A.07

in effect

RCW 35A.07.010 Adoption of charter code city classification authorized.

Any city having ten thousand inhabitants which is governed under a charter may become a charter code city by a procedure prescribed in this chapter and be governed under this title, with the powers conferred hereby. Any city having ten thousand inhabitants which is governed under a charter may become a charter code city by a procedure prescribed in this chapter and be governed under this title, with the powers conferred hereby.

RCW 35A.07.020 Petition method — Direct.

When a petition is filed, signed by registered voters of a charter city in number equal to not less than fifty percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking the adoption by the charter city of the classification of charter code city the legislative body of such city shall direct the county auditor to determine the sufficiency of the petition under the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040 . If the petition is found to be sufficient, the county auditor shall file with the legislative body a certificate of sufficiency of the petition. Thereupon the legislative body of the charter city shall, by resolution, declare that the inhabitants of such city have decided to adopt the classification of charter code city and to be governed under this title. The legislative body shall cause such resolution to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city not later than ten days after the passage of the resolution. Upon the expiration of the ninetieth day from, but excluding the date of first publication of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170 , the legislative body shall effect the decision of the inhabitants, as expressed in the petition, by passage of an ordinance adopting for the city the classification of charter code city. When a petition is filed, signed by registered voters of a charter city in number equal to not less than fifty percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking the adoption by the charter city of the classification of charter code city the legislative body of such city shall direct the county auditor to determine the sufficiency of the petition under the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040 . If the petition is found to be sufficient, the county auditor shall file with the legislative body a certificate of sufficiency of the petition. Thereupon the legislative body of the charter city shall, by resolution, declare that the inhabitants of such city have decided to adopt the classification of charter code city and to be governed under this title. The legislative body shall cause such resolution to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city not later than ten days after the passage of the resolution. Upon the expiration of the ninetieth day from, but excluding the date of first publication of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170 , the legislative body shall effect the decision of the inhabitants, as expressed in the petition, by passage of an ordinance adopting for the city the classification of charter code city.

RCW 35A.07.025 Referendum.

Upon the filing of a referendum petition in the manner provided in RCW 35A.29.170 signed by qualified electors in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast in the last general municipal election, the resolution authorized by RCW 35A.07.020 shall be referred to the voters for confirmation or rejection in the next general municipal election, if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days from the date of filing of the referendum petition, or at a special election to be called for that purpose not less than ninety days nor more than one hundred and eighty days from the filing of such referendum petition. Upon the filing of a referendum petition in the manner provided in RCW 35A.29.170 signed by qualified electors in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast in the last general municipal election, the resolution authorized by RCW 35A.07.020 shall be referred to the voters for confirmation or rejection in the next general municipal election, if one is to be held within one hundred and eighty days from the date of filing of the referendum petition, or at a special election to be called for that purpose not less than ninety days nor more than one hundred and eighty days from the filing of such referendum petition.

RCW 35A.07.030 Resolution method.

When a majority of the legislative body of a charter city determines that it would serve the best interests and general welfare of such city to become a charter code city, such legislative body may, by resolution, declare its intention to adopt for the city the classification of charter code city and to be governed under the provisions of this title, with the powers conferred hereby. Within ten days after the passage of the resolution, the legislative body shall cause it to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city. Upon the expiration of the ninetieth day from, but excluding the date of first publication of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170 , the intent expressed in such resolution shall be effected by passage of an ordinance adopting for the city the classification of charter code city. When a majority of the legislative body of a charter city determines that it would serve the best interests and general welfare of such city to become a charter code city, such legislative body may, by resolution, declare its intention to adopt for the city the classification of charter code city and to be governed under the provisions of this title, with the powers conferred hereby. Within ten days after the passage of the resolution, the legislative body shall cause it to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation within the city. Upon the expiration of the ninetieth day from, but excluding the date of first publication of the resolution, if no timely and sufficient referendum petition has been filed, as determined by RCW 35A.29.170 , the intent expressed in such resolution shall be effected by passage of an ordinance adopting for the city the classification of charter code city.

RCW 35A.07.035 Referendum.

RCW 35A.07.040 Certification of ordinance — Transcript of record to secretary of state.

When an ordinance is passed as provided in RCW 35A.07.020 or 35A.07.030 , the clerk of the charter city shall forward to the secretary of state a certified copy thereof. Upon the filing of the certified copy of the ordinance in the office of the secretary of state, such city shall be classified as a charter code city and shall thereafter be governed under the provisions of this optional municipal code and have the powers conferred hereby. When an ordinance is passed as provided in RCW 35A.07.020 or 35A.07.030 , the clerk of the charter city shall forward to the secretary of state a certified copy thereof. Upon the filing of the certified copy of the ordinance in the office of the secretary of state, such city shall be classified as a charter code city and shall thereafter be governed under the provisions of this optional municipal code and have the powers conferred hereby.

RCW 35A.07.050 Petition for election.

When a petition which is sufficient under the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040 is filed with the legislative body of a charter city, signed by registered voters of such city in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking adoption by the city of the classification of charter code city, the county auditor shall file with the legislative body thereof a certificate of sufficiency of such petition. Thereupon the legislative body shall cause such proposal to be submitted to the voters at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred 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 such petition. Ballot titles for such election shall be prepared by the city attorney. When a petition which is sufficient under the rules set forth in RCW 35A.01.040 is filed with the legislative body of a charter city, signed by registered voters of such city in number equal to not less than ten percent of the votes cast at the last general municipal election, seeking adoption by the city of the classification of charter code city, the county auditor shall file with the legislative body thereof a certificate of sufficiency of such petition. Thereupon the legislative body shall cause such proposal to be submitted to the voters at the next general municipal election if one is to be held within one hundred 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 such petition. Ballot titles for such election shall be prepared by the city attorney.

RCW 35A.07.060 Resolution for election.

The legislative body of a charter city may, by resolution, submit to the voters at an election held within the time period specified in RCW 35A.07.050 a proposal that the city adopt the classification of charter code city and be governed under the provisions of this title with the powers conferred hereby. The legislative body of a charter city may, by resolution, submit to the voters at an election held within the time period specified in RCW 35A.07.050 a proposal that the city adopt the classification of charter code city and be governed under the provisions of this title with the powers conferred hereby.

RCW 35A.07.070 Election on reclassification — Effective date of reclassification upon favorable vote.

Notice of elections under this chapter shall be given, the election conducted, and the result declared generally as provided in chapter 35A.02 RCW, insofar as such provisions are applicable. If a majority of votes cast on the proposition are in favor of adoption of the classification of charter code city, upon the certification of the record of election to the office of the secretary of state, such city shall become a charter code city and shall be governed under the provisions of this title and have the powers conferred on charter code cities. Notice of elections under this chapter shall be given, the election conducted, and the result declared generally as provided in chapter 35A.02 RCW, insofar as such provisions are applicable. If a majority of votes cast on the proposition are in favor of adoption of the classification of charter code city, upon the certification of the record of election to the office of the secretary of state, such city shall become a charter code city and shall be governed under the provisions of this title and have the powers conferred on charter code cities.

Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.07&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026