Cities and Counties That Have Powers of Initiative and Referendum

As of October 2008, the following cities and counties in Washington State are known to possess the powers of initiative and referendum. For information on the powers of initiative and referendum see MRSC's publication, Initiative and Referendum Guide for Washington Cities and Charter Counties (307 KB), Report No. 28, 2006.

First Class Cities

The state constitution specifically grants the authority to adopt a charter to first class cities, and RCW 35.22.200 specifically provides that a first class city charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum process. All of the ten first class cities in Washington have adopted the powers of initiative and referendum, and the procedures for exercising these powers are set out in the city charter of each city.  (Links to City Charters)

• Aberdeen
• Bellingham
• Bremerton
• Everett
• Richland
• Seattle
• Spokane
• Tacoma
• Vancouver
• Yakima

Second Class Cities and Towns

Second class cities and towns do not have the authority to establish initiative and referendum powers;

Code Cities

Initiative and referendum powers are available to code cities, but they are not automatic powers either at the time of incorporation or reclassification as a code city. Code cities must formally adopt these powers. The following code cities have adopted the powers of initiative and referendum.

Commission Cities

A city that has the commission form of government automatically has the powers of initiative and referendum. These powers are set out in the enabling authority for commission cities in RCW 35.17.220 - 35.17.360. Only one city in the state, Shelton, still operates under the commission form.

• Shelton

Charter Counties

The state constitution grants counties the option of adopting a charter for their own form of government, and that charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum process. Only six counties have adopted a charter: and they all provide for initiative and referendum. (Links to County Home Rule Charters)

• Clallam
• King
• Pierce
• San Juan
• Snohomish
• Whatcom

Commission Counties

Counties with the commission form of government do not have the powers of initiative and referendum available to them.