Washington State Constitution, Article 11, Section 10 - Incorporation of
Municipalities. This constitutional provision establishes the basic authority
for cities and towns to incorporate and for the state legislature to enact
laws to govern the process of incorporation.
Chapter
35.02 RCW - Incorporation Proceedings. This chapter contains the basic
statutory procedures for incorporation as a city in Washington State. It also
establishes the legal authority and power of a city during the "interim
period," the period between the election of the initial city council
and the official date of incorporation. In addition, it addresses issues relating
to the continued provision of municipal services after incorporation.
Chapter
36.93 RCW - Local Government Organization - Boundaries - Review Boards.
Proposed incorporations are "reviewed" by a boundary review board
in counties in whichboards have been established. Currently, 20 of the state's
39 counties have boundary review boards. This RCW chapter provides the procedures
and guidelines for boundary review board review of incorporations and of other
processes, such as annexations, that alter municipal boundaries.
