Special Purpose Districts in Washington
In Washington, special purpose districts are limited purpose local governments separate from a city, town, or county government. Generally they perform a single function, though some perform a limited number of functions. They provide an array of services and facilities including electricity, fire protection, flood control, health, housing, irrigation, parks and recreation, library, water-sewer service and more recently stadiums, convention centers, and entertainment facilities that are not otherwise available from city or county governments. Over the years, the Washington legislature has enabled more than 80 different special purpose districts. The number of special district statutes counted may vary depending on the definition of a special district.
Authority for some districts has been repealed, some special district statutes have been consolidated, and most all have been amended to accommodate changing conditions. Once thought of as existing only in unincorporated portions of counties, many district statutes allow the inclusion of cities and towns. Some districts have provisions for a county-wide district, some are multi-county, while others provide for interlocal cooperation agreements. The multiplicity and variety of special districts within a local area can be confusing. The purpose of these webpages is to provide an overview of special purpose districts in Washington. This page provides additional supplements to MRSC Report No. 58, Special Purpose Districts in Washington State, August 2003.
Overview
- What is a Special Purpose District?
- Introduction to MRSC Website for Special Purpose Districts
- Brief History of Special Districts in Washington
- Special Purpose Districts Overview (
) - Chart providing name of district, classification, date of legislation and citation, the purpose of the district, method of formation, governance, funding, and estimated number of existing districts.
- Special District Information Sources
Special Purpose Districts Authorized by the Legislature
- Alphabetical List of Special Purpose Districts in Washington
- Lists of Washington Special Purpose Districts by Type and General Purpose
- Special Purpose Districts in Washington by Date of Enabling Legislation
- Special Purpose Districts Grouped by Function
Existing Special Purpose Districts
- How Many Special Purpose Districts in Washington?
- List of Special Districts by Type of District and County (
) - Provides a periodically updated list of special purpose districts and the counties in which they exist; also includes cities that are included in the districts either through annexation or at the time of formation.
- List of Washington Cities and Towns that are within the Boundaries of Special Districts () - Separate sheets include cities (cities and towns) in all districts - Alphabetically by city: cities in fire districts, cities in hospital districts, cities in library districts, and cities in the various park districts
- Special Purpose Districts Listed by County - A series of county pages that lists the special districts in each county
- Special Purpose District Governments by Type of District
Organization of Special Purpose Districts
- Dissolution of Special Purpose Districts and Supended Operations
- Elections in Special Districts
- Formation of Special Purpose Districts
- General Provisions that Apply to Special Districts
- Governance of Special Purpose Districts
- Relationship of Counties to Special Districts - County Services
- Revenues of Special Purpose Districts
Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index - Special Purpose Districts - General