DISINCORPORATION

RCW 35A.15
in effect

RCW 35A.15.001 Actions subject to review by boundary review board.

Actions taken under chapter 35A.15 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW. Actions taken under chapter 35A.15 RCW may be subject to potential review by a boundary review board under chapter 36.93 RCW.

RCW 35A.15.010 Authority for disincorporation — Petition — Resolution.

Any noncharter code city may be disincorporated. Proceedings may be initiated by the filing with the county auditor of a petition for disincorporation signed by a majority of the registered voters resident in such city, or the legislative body of the city may provide by resolution for an election on the proposition of disincorporation. Any noncharter code city may be disincorporated. Proceedings may be initiated by the filing with the county auditor of a petition for disincorporation signed by a majority of the registered voters resident in such city, or the legislative body of the city may provide by resolution for an election on the proposition of disincorporation.

RCW 35A.15.020 Election on disincorporation — Receiver.

The legislative body shall cause the proposition of disincorporation 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 called for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days, after the certification of sufficiency of the petition, or the passage of the resolution, as the case may be. If the code city has any indebtedness or outstanding liabilities, the legislative body shall provide for election of a receiver at the same election. The legislative body shall cause the proposition of disincorporation 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 called for that purpose not less than ninety days, nor more than one hundred and eighty days, after the certification of sufficiency of the petition, or the passage of the resolution, as the case may be. If the code city has any indebtedness or outstanding liabilities, the legislative body shall provide for election of a receiver at the same election.

RCW 35A.15.040 Ballots — Election results.

Ballot titles shall be prepared by the city as provided in RCW 35A.29.120 and shall contain the words "For Dissolution" and "Against Dissolution", and shall contain on separate lines, alphabetically, the names of candidates for receiver. If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition are for dissolution, the municipal corporation shall be dissolved upon certification of the election results to the office of the secretary of state. Ballot titles shall be prepared by the city as provided in RCW 35A.29.120 and shall contain the words "For Dissolution" and "Against Dissolution", and shall contain on separate lines, alphabetically, the names of candidates for receiver. If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition are for dissolution, the municipal corporation shall be dissolved upon certification of the election results to the office of the secretary of state.

RCW 35A.15.050 Effect of disincorporation — Powers — Offices.

The effect of disincorporation of a noncharter code city shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.090 , 35.07.100 , and 35.07.110 . The effect of disincorporation of a noncharter code city shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.090 , 35.07.100 , and 35.07.110 .

RCW 35A.15.060 Receiver — Qualification — Bond — When receiver may be appointed.

The receiver shall qualify and post a bond as provided in RCW 35.07.120 . If an elected receiver fails to qualify within the time prescribed, or if no receiver has been elected and the code city does have indebtedness or an outstanding liability, a receiver shall be appointed in the manner provided in RCW 35.07.130 or as provided in RCW 35.07.140 . The receiver shall qualify and post a bond as provided in RCW 35.07.120 . If an elected receiver fails to qualify within the time prescribed, or if no receiver has been elected and the code city does have indebtedness or an outstanding liability, a receiver shall be appointed in the manner provided in RCW 35.07.130 or as provided in RCW 35.07.140 .

RCW 35A.15.070 Duties and authority of receiver — Claims — Priority.

The duties and authority of the receiver and the disposition and priority of claims against the former municipality shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.150 , and the receiver shall have the rights, powers, and limitations provided for such a receiver in RCW 35.07.160 , 35.07.170 , and 35.07.180 . The duties and authority of the receiver and the disposition and priority of claims against the former municipality shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.150 , and the receiver shall have the rights, powers, and limitations provided for such a receiver in RCW 35.07.160 , 35.07.170 , and 35.07.180 .

RCW 35A.15.080 Compensation of receiver.

The compensation of the receiver shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.190 . The compensation of the receiver shall be as provided in RCW 35.07.190 .

RCW 35A.15.090 Receiver — Removal for cause — Successive appointments.

The receiver may be removed for cause as provided in RCW 35.07.200 and a successor to the receiver may be appointed as provided in RCW 35.07.210 . The receiver may be removed for cause as provided in RCW 35.07.200 and a successor to the receiver may be appointed as provided in RCW 35.07.210 .

RCW 35A.15.100 Receiver — Final account and discharge.

The receiver shall file a final account, pay remaining funds to the county treasurer, and be discharged, all as provided in RCW 35.07.220 . The receiver shall file a final account, pay remaining funds to the county treasurer, and be discharged, all as provided in RCW 35.07.220 .

RCW 35A.15.105 Applicability of general receivership law.

The provisions of Title 7 RCW generally applicable to receivers and receiverships do not apply to receivers elected or appointed under this chapter. The provisions of Title 7 RCW generally applicable to receivers and receiverships do not apply to receivers elected or appointed under this chapter.

RCW 35A.15.110 Involuntary dissolution.

A noncharter code city may be involuntarily dissolved in the manner provided in RCW 35.07.230 , 35.07.240 , 35.07.250 , and 35.07.260 upon the existence of the conditions stated in RCW 35.07.230 . A noncharter code city may be involuntarily dissolved in the manner provided in RCW 35.07.230 , 35.07.240 , 35.07.250 , and 35.07.260 upon the existence of the conditions stated in RCW 35.07.230 .
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=35A.15&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026

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