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Code City
Handbook
REPORT NUMBER 37 Revised
June 2009
Municipal Research and Services Center
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Code City
Handbook
REPORT NUMBER 37 Revised
$20 City / $30 Other June 2009
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Preface
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Contents
Chapter I: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter II: Adoption of the Code City Classification by
Incorporated Municipalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Chapter III: Code City Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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Chapter IV: Officials and Employees of Mayor-Council
Noncharter Code Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chapter V: Officials and Employees of Council-Manager
Noncharter Code Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Chapter VI: Meetings and Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Chapter VII: Abandonment of Code City Classification and Disincorporation . 60
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Chapter VIII: Planning and Zoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Chapter IX: Municipal Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Chapter X: Elections in Code Cities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
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Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
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Chapter IIntroduction
I. Municipal Corporations in Washington
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II. The Optional Municipal Code
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III. Purpose of the Optional Municipal Code
IV. Advantages of the Optional Municipal Code
A. Broad Powers of Local Self-Government Granted
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B. Grant of Omnibus Authority
C. Rule of Liberal Construction of Powers
D. Doctrine ofEjusdem Generis Inapplicable
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E. Local Government Administration under the Optional Municipal Code
F. Specific Statutory Advantages
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Chapter IIAdoption of the Code City Classification by
Incorporated Municipalities
I. Classification of Code Cities
II. Effect on Municipal Government upon Becoming a Code City and
Selecting a Plan of Government
A. Municipal Powers
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B. Plan of Government
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C. Organization of Code City Government
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D. Existing Ordinances
III. Procedure for Adopting the Noncharter Code City Classification
Ch. 35A.02 RCW
A. Reclassification and Reorganization in General
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B. Outline of Reclassification Procedures
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C. Election of Officers upon Reorganization (RCW 35A.02.050)
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D. Adjustments to the Size of the Council
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IV. Procedure for Adopting the Charter Code City Classification
A. Reclassification from First Class Charter City to Charter Code City (Ch. 35A.07
RCW)
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B. Reclassification as a Charter Code City and Adoption of a Charter
(Ch. 35A.08 RCW)
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C. Amending or Revising Charters of Charter Code Cities (Ch. 35A.09 RCW)
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Chapter IIICode City Government
I. Plans of Government Available to Code Cities
A. Mayor-Council Plan (Ch. 35A.12 RCW)
B. Council-Manager Plan (Ch. 35A.13 RCW)
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C. Retained Commission Plan
D. Retained Mayor-Council or Council-Manager Plans
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II. Reorganization of Plan of Government and Abandonment of Noncharter
Code City Classification
A. Process for Reorganization
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B. Process for Reclassification (RCW 35A.06.070)
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C. Compensation (RCW 35A.12.070)
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D. Vacancies
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E. Removal from Office by Recall
F. Pro Tempore Appointments (RCW 35A.12.065)
G. Councilmember May Serve as Volunteer Fire Fighter, Reserve Law
Enforcement Officer, or Volunteer Ambulance Personnel (RCW 35A.11.110)
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H. Incompatibility
I. General Powers and Duties
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II. Appointive Officials
A. Appointment of Officers
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B. Authority, Duties and Qualifications
C. Compensation
D. Oath and Bond of Officers (RCW 35A.12.080)
E. Removal of Officers (RCW 35A.12.090)
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Chapter VOfficials and Employees of Council-Manager
Noncharter Code Cities
I. Elective Officials Councilmembers
A. Eligibility to Hold Elective Office
B. Elections, Terms of Office, and Council Positions
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C. Compensation
D. Vacancies
E. Removal from Office by Recall
F. The Position of Mayor Designation or Election
G. Pro Tempore Appointments
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B. Appointment of Officers by the City Manager
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Chapter VIMeetings and Committees
I. Council Meetings
A. General Observations
B. Mayor-Council Noncharter Code Cities
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C. Council-Manager Noncharter Code Cities
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II. Committees
A. General Observations
B. Citizen Advisory Committees for Both Forms of Municipal Government
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C. Advisory Vote
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Chapter VIIAbandonment of Code City Classification and
Disincorporation
I. Abandonment of Code City Classification Ch. 35A.06 RCW
A. Abandonment of Classification without Reorganization
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B. Abandonment of Classification by Selection of a Plan of Government NotAuthorized by Title 35A RCW (RCW 35A.06.030)
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II. Disincorporation Ch. 35A.15 RCW
A. Voluntary Disincorporation
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B. Involuntary Disincorporation (RCW 35A.15.110)
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Chapter VIIIPlanning and Zoning
A. Planning Agency Organizations and Functions
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B. The Comprehensive Plan for Code Cities That Are Not Required to Plan under
the Growth Management Act
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C. The Comprehensive Plan for Cities Required to Plan under the Growth
Management Act (RCW 36.70A.040)
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D. The Board of Adjustment
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E. Administration and Enforcement (RCW 35A.63.120)
F. Provisions Inconsistent with Charters (RCW 35A.63.130)
G. Duties and Responsibilities Imposed by Other Acts (RCW 35A.63.140)
H. Family Day-Care Provider's Home Facilities May Not Be Prohibited in
Residential or Commercial Areas (RCW 35A.63.215)
I. Moratoria, Interim Zoning Controls (RCW 35A.63.220)
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J. Accessory Apartments (RCW 35A.63.230)
K. Treatment of Residential Structures Occupied by Persons with Handicaps
(RCW 35A.63.240)
L. Construction
M. The Hearing Examiner System (RCW 35A.63.170)
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Chapter IXMunicipal Courts
I. Establishment of Court Systems
A. Independent Municipal Court (Ch. 3.50 RCW)
B. Municipal Department as Part of a County District Court (Ch. 3.46 RCW)
C. Municipal Court Operated Pursuant to an Interlocal Agreement (Ch. 39.34
RCW)
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II. Operation of an Independent Municipal Court under Ch. 3.50 RCW
A. Establishment of Court (RCW 3.50.060)
B. Selection of Judicial Officers
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C. Jurisdiction of Court
D. Right to Jury Trial
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E. Pleadings, Practice and Procedure
F. Termination of Court Services or Repeal of Criminal Ordinances
G. Waiting Period for Establishing a New Municipal Court
H. Dispute Resolution Centers
III. Operation of a Municipal Department under Ch. 3.46 RCW
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Chapter XElections in Code Cities
I. Election of Officers
A. Registrar and Supervisor of Elections
II. Preparation for Elections
A. Times for Elections
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B. Payment of the Costs of an Election (RCW 29A.04.410)
C. Declaration of Candidacy
D. Ballot Title
E. Notice of Election (RCW 29A.52.351)
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III. Conduct of Election
A. Elections Are to Be Nonpartisan
B. Election by Wards
C. Assumption of Office
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Appendices
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Petition for Election
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Resolution No. _____
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Ordinance No. _____
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Voter Requirements
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Sample Resolution Establishing Rules ofConduct for Council Meetings
Resolution No. _____
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