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Sewerage water and drainage systems
2-RCW_36-94.txt - RCW - 3/23/2006 0:00:00 - Statute - WA

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Chapter 36.94 RCW Sewerage, water, and drainage systems


Chapter 36.94 RCW
Sewerage, water, and drainage systems

36.94.010
Definitions.
As used in this chapter:

(1) A "system of sewerage" means and may include any or all of the following:

(a) Sanitary sewage collection, treatment, and/or disposal facilities and services, including without limitation on-site or off-site sanitary sewerage facilities, inspection services and maintenance services for private or public on-site systems, or any other means of sewage treatment and disposal approved by the county;

(b) Combined sanitary sewage disposal and storm or surface water drains and facilities;

(c) Storm or surface water drains, channels, and facilities;

(d) Outfalls for storm drainage or sanitary sewage and works, plants, and facilities for storm drainage or sanitary sewage treatment and disposal, and rights and interests in property relating to the system;

(e) Combined water and sewerage systems;

(f) Point and nonpoint water pollution monitoring programs that are directly related to the sewerage facilities and programs operated by a county;

(g) Public restroom and sanitary facilities;

(h) The facilities and services authorized in RCW 36.94.020; and

(i) Any combination of or part of any or all of such facilities.

(2) A "system of water" means and includes:

(a) A water distribution system, including dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, plants, pumping stations, transmission and lateral distribution lines and other facilities for distribution of water;

(b) A combined water and sewerage system;

(c) Any combination of or any part of any or all of such facilities.

(3) A "sewerage and/or water general plan" means a general plan for a system of sewerage and/or water for the county which shall be an element of the comprehensive plan established by the county pursuant to RCW 36.70.350(6) and/or chapter 35.63 RCW, if there is such a comprehensive plan.

(a) A sewerage general plan shall include the general location and description of treatment and disposal facilities, trunk and interceptor sewers, pumping stations, monitoring and control facilities, channels, local service areas and a general description of the collection system to serve those areas, a description of on-site sanitary sewerage system inspection services and maintenance services, and other facilities and services as may be required to provide a functional and implementable plan, including preliminary engineering to assure feasibility. The plan may also include a description of the regulations deemed appropriate to carrying out surface drainage plans.

(b) A water general plan shall include the general location and description of water resources to be utilized, wells, treatment facilities, transmission lines, storage reservoirs, pumping stations, and monitoring and control facilities as may be required to provide a functional and implementable plan.

(c) Water and/or sewerage general plans shall include preliminary engineering in adequate detail to assure technical feasibility and, to the extent then known, shall further discuss the methods of distributing the cost and expense of the system and shall indicate the economic feasibility of plan implementation. The plans may also specify local or lateral facilities and services. The sewerage and/or water general plan does not mean the final engineering construction or financing plans for the system.

(4) "Municipal corporation" means and includes any city, town, metropolitan municipal corporation, any public utility district which operates and maintains a sewer or water system, any sewer, water, diking, or drainage district, any diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement district, and any irrigation district.

(5) A "private utility" means and includes all utilities, both public and private, which provide sewerage and/or water service and which are not municipal corporations within the definition of this chapter. The ownership of a private utility may be in a corporation, nonprofit or for profit, in a cooperative association, in a mutual organization, or in individuals.

(6) "Board" means one or more boards of county commissioners and/or the legislative authority of a home rule charter county.


[1997 c 447 § 10; 1981 c 313 § 14; 1979 ex.s. c 30 § 6; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 1; 1967 c 72 § 1.]

Notes: Finding -- Purpose -- 1997 c 447: See note following RCW 70.05.074.

Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.


Construction -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: "This 1971 amendatory act shall apply to any existing and future sewerage and/or water plans or amendments thereto and implementations thereof and shall not be deemed to be prospective only." [1971 ex.s. c 96 § 12.]


Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: "If any provision of this 1971 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1971 ex.s. c 96 § 13.]







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36.94.020
Purpose — Powers.
The construction, operation, and maintenance of a system of sewerage and/or water is a county purpose. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, every county has the power, individually or in conjunction with another county or counties to adopt, provide for, accept, establish, condemn, purchase, construct, add to, operate, and maintain a system or systems of sanitary and storm sewers, including outfalls, interceptors, plans, and facilities and services necessary for sewerage treatment and disposal, and/or system or systems of water supply within all or a portion of the county. However, counties shall not have power to condemn sewerage and/or water systems of any municipal corporation or private utility.

Such county or counties shall have the authority to control, regulate, operate, and manage such system or systems and to provide funds therefor by general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, local improvement district bonds, utility local improvement district or local improvement district assessments, and in any other lawful fiscal manner. Rates or charges for on-site inspection and maintenance services may not be imposed under this chapter on the development, construction, or reconstruction of property.

Under this chapter, after July 1, 1998, any requirements for pumping the septic tank of an on-site sewage system should be based, among other things, on actual measurement of accumulation of sludge and scum by a trained inspector, trained owner's agent, or trained owner. Training must occur in a program approved by the state board of health or by a local health officer.

Before adopting on-site inspection and maintenance utility services, or incorporating residences into an on-site inspection and maintenance or sewer utility under this chapter, notification must be provided, prior to the applicable public hearing, to all residences within the proposed service area that have on-site systems permitted by the local health officer. The notice must clearly state that the residence is within the proposed service area and must provide information on estimated rates or charges that may be imposed for the service.

A county shall not provide on-site sewage system inspection, pumping services, or other maintenance or repair services under this section using county employees unless the on-site system is connected by a publicly owned collection system to the county's sewerage system, and the on-site system represents the first step in the sewage disposal process. Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of a state or local health officer to carry out their responsibilities under any other applicable law.

A county may, as part of a system of sewerage established under this chapter, provide for, finance, and operate any of the facilities and services and may exercise the powers expressly authorized for county storm water, flood control, pollution prevention, and drainage services and activities under chapters 36.89, 86.12, 86.13, and 86.15 RCW. A county also may provide for, finance, and operate the facilities and services and may exercise any of the powers authorized for aquifer protection areas under chapter 36.36 RCW; for lake management districts under chapter 36.61 RCW; for diking districts, and diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement districts under chapters 85.05, 85.08, 85.15, 85.16, and 85.18 RCW; and for shellfish protection districts under chapter 90.72 RCW. However, if a county by reference to any of those statutes assumes as part of its system of sewerage any powers granted to such areas or districts and not otherwise available to a county under this chapter, then (1) the procedures and restrictions applicable to those areas or districts apply to the county's exercise of those powers, and (2) the county may not simultaneously impose rates and charges under this chapter and under the statutes authorizing such areas or districts for substantially the same facilities and services, but must instead impose uniform rates and charges consistent with RCW 36.94.140. By agreement with such an area or district that is not part of a county's system of sewerage, a county may operate that area's or district's services or facilities, but a county may not dissolve any existing area or district except in accordance with any applicable provisions of the statute under which that area or district was created.


[1997 c 447 § 11; 1981 c 313 § 1; 1967 c 72 § 2.]

Notes: Finding -- Purpose -- 1997 c 447: See note following RCW 70.05.074.

Severability -- 1981 c 313: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1981 c 313 § 23.]







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36.94.030
Adoption of sewerage and/or water general plan as element of comprehensive plan.
Whenever the county legislative authority deems it advisable and necessary for the public health and welfare of the inhabitants of the county to establish, purchase, acquire, and construct a system of sewerage and/or water, or make any additions and betterments thereto, or extensions thereof, the board shall adopt a sewerage and/or water general plan for a system of sewerage and/or water for all or a portion of the county as deemed necessary by the board. If the county has adopted a comprehensive plan for a physical development of the county pursuant to chapter 36.70 RCW and/or chapter 35.63 RCW, then the sewerage and/or water general plan shall be adopted as an element of that comprehensive plan pursuant to the applicable statute.


[1981 c 313 § 15; 1967 c 72 § 3.]

Notes: Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.






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36.94.040
Incorporation of provisions of comprehensive plan in general plan.
The sewerage and/or water general plan must incorporate the provisions of existing comprehensive plans relating to sewerage and water systems of cities, towns, municipalities, and private utilities, to the extent they have been implemented.


[1990 1st ex.s. c 17 § 33; 1967 c 72 § 4.]

Notes: Severability -- Part, section headings not law -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 17: See RCW 36.70A.900 and 36.70A.901.






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36.94.050
Review committee — Composition — Submission of plan or amendment to.
Prior to the adoption of or amendment of the sewerage and/or water general plan, the county legislative authority (or authorities) shall submit the plan or amendment to a review committee. The review committee shall consist of:

(1) A representative of each city with a population of ten thousand or more within or adjoining the area selected by the mayor thereof (if there are no such cities within the plan area, then one representative chosen by the mayor of the city with the largest population within the plan area);

(2) One representative chosen at large by a majority vote of the executive officers of the other cities or towns within or adjoining the area;

(3) A representative chosen by the executive officer or the chair of the board, as the case may be, of each of the other municipal corporations and private utilities serving one thousand or more sewer and/or water customers located within the area;

(4) One representative chosen at large by a majority vote of the executive officers and chairs of the boards, as the case may be, of the other remaining municipal corporations within the area;

(5) A representative of each county legislative authority within the planned area, selected by the chair of each board or county executive, as the case may be; and

(6) In counties where there is a metropolitan municipal corporation operating a sewerage and/or water system in the area, the chair of its council or such person as the chair designates.

If the legislative authority rejects the plan pursuant to RCW 36.94.090, the review committee shall be deemed to be dissolved; otherwise the review committee shall continue in existence to review amendments to the plan. Vacancies on the committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to that position.

Instead of a review committee for each plan area, the county legislative authority or authorities may create a review committee for the entire county or counties, and the review committee shall continue in existence until dissolved by the county legislative authority or authorities.


[1994 c 81 § 74; 1981 c 313 § 16; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 2; 1967 c 72 § 5.]

Notes: Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.

Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.







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36.94.060
Review committee — Chairman, secretary — Rules — Quorum — Compensation of members.
The members of each review committee shall elect from its members a chairman and a secretary. The committee shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide by resolution for the time and manner of its proceedings which shall be a public record. A majority of all the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Each member of the committee shall be compensated from the county current expense fund at the rate of twenty-five dollars per day, or a major portion thereof, for time actually devoted to the work of the committee in reviewing any proposed sewerage and/or water general plan or amendments to a plan. Each board of county commissioners shall provide such funds as shall be necessary to pay the compensation of the members and such other expenses as shall be reasonably necessary. Such payments shall be reimbursed to the counties advancing the funds from moneys acquired from the construction or operation of a sewerage and/or water system.


[1971 ex.s. c 96 § 3; 1967 c 72 § 6.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.070
Review committee — Review of plan or amendments thereto — Report.
The committee shall review the sewerage and/or water general plan or amendments thereto and shall report to the board or boards of county commissioners within ninety days their approval or any suggested amendments, deletions, or additions. If the committee shall fail to report within the time, the plan or amendments thereto shall be deemed approved. If the committee submits a report, the board shall consider and review the committee's report and may adopt any recommendations suggested therein.


[1971 ex.s. c 96 § 4; 1967 c 72 § 7.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.080
Hearing by board — Notice — Filing general plan.
Before final action thereon the board shall conduct a public hearing on the plan after ten days published notice of hearing is given pursuant to RCW 36.32.120(7). The notice must set out the full official title of the proposed resolution adopting the plan and a statement describing the general intent and purpose of the plan. The notice shall also include the day, hour and place of hearing and must be given by publication in the newspaper in which legal notices of the county are printed. Ten days prior to the hearing, three copies of the sewerage and/or water general plan shall be filed with the clerk of the board. The copies shall be open to public inspection.


[1967 c 72 § 8.]




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36.94.090
Adoption, amendment or rejection of plan.
At the hearing, the board may adopt the plan, or amend and adopt the plan, or reject any part or all of the plan.


[1967 c 72 § 9.]




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36.94.100
Submission of plan or amendments thereto to certain state departments — Approval.
Prior to the commencement of actual work on any plan or amendment thereto approved by the board, it must be submitted for written approval to the Washington department of social and health services and to the Washington department of ecology.


[1971 ex.s. c 96 § 5; 1967 c 72 § 10.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.110
Adherence to plan — Procedure for amendment.
After adoption of the sewerage and/or water general plan, all municipal corporations and private utilities within the plan area shall abide by and adhere to the plan for the future development of their systems. Whenever the governing authority of any county or counties or any municipal corporation deems it to be for the public interest to amend the sewerage and/or water general plan for such county or counties, notice shall be filed with the board or boards of county commissioners. Upon such notice, the board or boards shall initiate consideration of any amendment requested relating to the plan and proceed as provided in this chapter for the adoption of an original plan.


[1967 c 72 § 11.]




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36.94.120
Establishment of department for administration of system — Personnel merit system.
The board shall establish a department in county government for the purpose of establishing, operating and maintaining the system or systems of sewerage and/or water. In the department, the board shall establish and provide for the operation and maintenance of a personnel merit system for the employment, classification, promotion, demotion, suspension, transfer, layoff and discharge of its appointive officers and employees, solely on the basis of merit and fitness, without regard to political influence or affiliation. Such merit system shall not apply to the chief administrative officer of the department and, if the sewer and/or water utility is a division of a department having other functions, the chief administrative officer of such utility.


[1971 ex.s. c 96 § 6; 1967 c 72 § 12.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.130
Adoption of rules and regulations.
The board of county commissioners may adopt by resolution reasonable rules and regulations governing the construction, maintenance, operation, use, connection and service of the system of sewerage and/or water.


[1967 c 72 § 13.]




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36.94.140
Authority of county to operate system — Rates and charges, fixing of — Factors to be considered — Assistance for low-income persons.
(1) Every county, in the operation of a system of sewerage and/or water, shall have full jurisdiction and authority to manage, regulate, and control it. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, every county shall have full jurisdiction and authority to fix, alter, regulate, and control the rates and charges for the service and facilities to those to whom such service and facilities are available, and to levy charges for connection to the system.

(2) The rates for availability of service and facilities, and connection charges so charged must be uniform for the same class of customers or service and facility. In classifying customers served, service furnished or made available by such system of sewerage and/or water, or the connection charges, the county legislative authority may consider any or all of the following factors:

(a) The difference in cost of service to the various customers within or without the area;

(b) The difference in cost of maintenance, operation, repair and replacement of the various parts of the systems;

(c) The different character of the service and facilities furnished various customers;

(d) The quantity and quality of the sewage and/or water delivered and the time of its delivery;

(e) Capital contributions made to the system or systems, including, but not limited to, assessments;

(f) The cost of acquiring the system or portions of the system in making system improvements necessary for the public health and safety;

(g) The nonprofit public benefit status, as defined in RCW 24.03.490, of the land user; and

(h) Any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

(3) The rate a county may charge under this section for storm or surface water sewer systems or the portion of the rate allocable to the storm or surface water sewer system of combined sanitary sewage and storm or surface water sewer systems shall be reduced by a minimum of ten percent for any new or remodeled commercial building that utilizes a permissive rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting systems shall be properly sized to utilize the available roof surface of the building. The jurisdiction shall consider rate reductions in excess of ten percent dependent upon the amount of rainwater harvested.

(4) A county may provide assistance to aid low-income persons in connection with services provided under this chapter.

(5) The service charges and rates shall produce revenues sufficient to take care of the costs of maintenance and operation, revenue bond and warrant interest and principal amortization requirements, and all other charges necessary for the efficient and proper operation of the system.

(6) A connection charge under this section for service to a manufactured housing community, as defined in RCW 59.20.030, applies to an individual lot within that community only if the system of water or sewerage provides and maintains the connection.


[2005 c 324 § 2; 2003 c 394 § 4; 1997 c 447 § 12; 1995 c 124 § 2; 1990 c 133 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 § 2; 1967 c 72 § 14.]

Notes: Finding -- Purpose -- 1997 c 447: See note following RCW 70.05.074.

Findings -- 1990 c 133: "The legislature finds the best interests of the citizens of the state are served if:

(1) Customers served by public water systems are assured of an adequate quantity and quality of water supply at reasonable rates;

(2) There is improved coordination between state agencies engaged in water system planning and public health regulation and local governments responsible for land use regulation and public health and safety;

(3) Public water systems in violation of health and safety standards adopted under RCW 43.20.050 remain in operation and continue providing water service providing that public health is not compromised, assuming a suitable replacement purveyor is found and deficiencies are corrected in an expeditious manner consistent with public health and safety; and

(4) The state address[es], in a systematic and comprehensive fashion, new operating requirements which will be imposed on public water systems under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act." [1990 c 133 § 1.]


Severability -- 1990 c 133: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1990 c 133 § 12.]


Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 188: See RCW 36.94.921.







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36.94.145
Public property subject to rates and charges for storm water control facilities.
Except as otherwise provided in RCW 90.03.525, any public entity and public property, including the state of Washington and state property, shall be subject to rates and charges for storm water control facilities to the same extent private persons and private property are subject to such rates and charges that are imposed by counties pursuant to RCW 36.94.140. In setting these rates and charges, consideration may be made of in-kind services, such as stream improvements or donation of property.


[1986 c 278 § 58; 1983 c 315 § 4.]

Notes: Severability -- 1986 c 278: See note following RCW 36.01.010.

Severability -- 1983 c 315: See note following RCW 90.03.500.


Flood control zone districts -- Storm water control improvements: Chapter 86.15 RCW.

Rates and charges for storm water control facilities -- Limitations -- Definitions: RCW 90.03.500 through 90.03.525. See also RCW 35.67.025, 35.92.021, and 36.89.085.






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36.94.150
Lien for delinquent charges.
All counties operating a system of sewerage and/or water shall have a lien for delinquent connection charges and charges for the availability of sewerage and/or water service, together with interest fixed by resolution at eight percent per annum from the date due until paid. Penalties of not more than ten percent of the amount due may be imposed in case of failure to pay the charges at times fixed by resolution. The lien shall be for all charges, interest, and penalties and shall attach to the premises to which the services were available. The lien shall be superior to all other liens and encumbrances, except general taxes and local and special assessments of the county.

The county department established in RCW 36.94.120 shall certify periodically the delinquencies to the auditor of the county at which time the lien shall attach.

Upon the expiration of sixty days after the attachment of the lien, the county may bring suit in foreclosure by civil action in the superior court of the county where the property is located. Costs associated with the foreclosure of the lien, including but not limited to advertising, title report, and personnel costs, shall be added to the lien upon filing of the foreclosure action. In addition to the costs and disbursements provided by statute, the court may allow the county a reasonable attorney's fee. The lien shall be foreclosed in the same manner as the foreclosure of real property tax liens.


[1997 c 393 § 9; 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 § 3; 1967 c 72 § 15.]

Notes: Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 188: See RCW 36.94.921.






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36.94.160
Tax on gross revenues authorized.
The county shall have the power to levy a tax on the system of sewerage and/or water operated by the county or counties as authorized by this chapter, not to exceed eight percent per annum, on the gross revenues, to be paid to the county's general fund for payment of all costs of planning, financing, construction and operation of the system.


[1967 c 72 § 16.]




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36.94.170
Authority of municipal corporations — Relinquishment of.
The primary authority to construct, operate and maintain a system of sewerage and/or water within the boundaries of a municipal corporation which lies within the area of the county's sewerage and/or water general plan shall remain with such municipal corporation. A county, after it has adopted and received the necessary approvals of its sewer and/or water general plan under the provisions of chapter 36.94 RCW may construct, own, operate and maintain a system of sewerage and/or water within the boundaries of a city or town with the written consent of such city or town and within any other municipal corporation provided such municipal corporation (1) has the legislative authority to operate such a utility; and (2)(a) has given its written consent to the county to operate therein; or (b) after adoption of a comprehensive plan or an amendment thereto for the area involved, the municipal corporation has not within twelve months after receiving notice by the county of its intention to serve that area held a formation hearing for a utility local improvement district.

Prior to exercising any authority granted in this section, the county shall compensate such municipal corporation for its reasonable costs, expenses and obligations actually incurred or contracted which are directly related to and which benefit the area which the county proposes to serve. The county may contract with a municipal corporation to furnish such utility service within any municipal corporation.

Except in the case of annexations provided for in RCW 36.94.180, once a county qualifies under this section to serve within a municipal corporation, no municipal corporation may construct or operate a competing utility in the same territory to be served by the county if the county proceeds within a reasonable period of time with the construction of its proposed facilities including the sale of any bonds to finance the same.

As may be permitted by other statutes, a city or town may provide water or sewer service outside of its corporate limits, but such service may not conflict with the county plan or any county, sewer or water facilities installed or being installed.

A county proposing to exercise any authority granted in this section shall give written notice of such intention to the municipal corporation involved and to the boundary review board, if any, of such county. Within sixty days of the filing of such notice of intention, review by the boundary review board of the proposed action may be requested as provided by the provisions of RCW 36.93.100 through 36.93.180. In the event of such review, the board shall consider the factors set forth in this section in addition to the factors and objectives set forth in RCW 36.93.170 and 36.93.180.


[1971 ex.s. c 96 § 7; 1967 c 72 § 17.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.180
Transfer of system upon annexation or incorporation of area.
In the event of the annexation to a city or town of an area, or incorporation of an area, in which a county is operating a sewerage and/or water system, the property, facilities, and equipment of such sewerage and/or water system lying within the annexed or incorporated area may be transferred to the city or town if such transfer will not materially affect the operation of any of the remaining county system, subject to the assumption by the city or town of the county's obligations relating to such property, facilities, and equipment, under the procedures specified in, and pursuant to the authority contained in, chapter 35.13A RCW.


[1986 c 234 § 34; 1983 c 3 § 82; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 8; 1967 c 72 § 18.]

Notes: Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.






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36.94.190
Contracts with other entities.
Every county in furtherance of the powers granted by this chapter shall be authorized to contract with the federal government, the state of Washington, or any city or town, within or without the county, and with any other county, and with any municipal corporation as defined herein or with any other municipal corporation created under the laws of the state of Washington and not limited as defined in RCW 36.94.010, or political subdivision, and with any person, firm or corporation in and for the establishment, maintenance and operation of all or a portion of a system or systems of sewerage and/or water supply.

The state and such city, town, person, firm, corporation, municipal corporation and any other municipal corporation created under the laws of the state of Washington and not limited as defined in RCW 36.94.010, and political subdivision, is authorized to contract with a county or counties for such purposes.


[1967 c 72 § 19.]




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36.94.200
Indebtedness — Bonds.
The legislative authority of any county is hereby authorized for the purpose of carrying out the lawful powers granted by this chapter to contract indebtedness and to issue and sell general obligation bonds pursuant to and in the manner provided for general county bonds in chapters 36.67 and 39.46 RCW and other applicable statutes; and to issue revenue bonds pursuant to and in the manner provided for revenue bonds in chapter 36.67 RCW and other applicable statutes. The county legislative authority may also issue local improvement district bonds in the manner provided for cities and towns.


[1984 c 186 § 35; 1983 c 167 § 101; 1981 c 313 § 2; 1967 c 72 § 20.]

Notes: Purpose -- 1984 c 186: See note following RCW 39.46.110.

Liberal construction -- Severability -- 1983 c 167: See RCW 39.46.010 and note following.


Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.







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36.94.210
Pledge for payment of principal and interest on revenue or general obligation bonds.
The board of county commissioners of any county in adopting and establishing a system of sewerage and/or water may set aside into a special fund and pledge to the payment of the principal and interest due on any county revenue bonds or general obligation bonds any sums or amounts which may accrue from the collection of rates and charges for the private and public use of the system or systems.


[1975 1st ex.s. c 188 § 4; 1967 c 72 § 21.]

Notes: Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 188: See RCW 36.94.921.






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36.94.220
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Establishment — Special assessments.
(1) A county shall have the power to establish utility local improvement districts and local improvement districts within the area of a sewerage and/or water general plan and to levy special assessments under a mode of annual installments extending over a period not exceeding twenty years on all property specially benefited by any local improvement on the basis of the special benefits to pay in whole or in part the damages or costs of any improvements ordered in such county.

(2) Utility local improvement districts and local improvement districts may include territory within a city or town only with the written consent of the city or town, but if the local district is formed before such area is included within the city or town, no such consent shall be necessary. Utility local improvement districts and local improvement districts used to provide sewerage disposal systems may include territory within a water-sewer district providing sewerage disposal systems only with the written consent of such a water-sewer district, but if the local district is formed before such area is included within such a water-sewer district, no consent is necessary. Utility local improvement districts and local improvement districts used to provide water systems may include territory within a water-sewer district providing water systems only with the written consent of such a water-sewer district, but if the local district is formed before such area is included within such a water-sewer district, no consent is necessary.

(3) The levying, collection, and enforcement of all public assessments hereby authorized shall be in the manner now and hereafter provided by law for the levying, collection, and enforcement of local improvement assessments by cities and towns, insofar as the same shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. In addition, the county shall file the preliminary assessment roll at the time and in the manner prescribed in RCW 35.50.005. The duties devolving upon the city or town treasurer under such laws are imposed upon the county treasurer for the purposes of this chapter. The mode of assessment shall be in the manner to be determined by the county legislative authority by ordinance or resolution. As an alternative to equal annual assessment installments of principal provided for cities and towns, a county legislative authority may provide for the payment of such assessments in equal annual installments of principal and interest. Assessments in any local district may be made on the basis of special benefits up to but not in excess of the total cost of any sewerage and/or water improvement made with respect to that local district and the share of any general sewerage and/or water facilities allocable to that district. In utility local improvement districts, assessments shall be deposited into the revenue bond fund or general obligation bond fund established for the payment of bonds issued to pay such costs which bond payments are secured in part by the pledge of assessments, except pending the issuance and sale of such bonds, assessments may be deposited in a fund for the payment of such costs. In local improvement districts, assessments shall be deposited into a fund for the payment of such costs and local improvement bonds issued to finance the same or into the local improvement guaranty fund as provided by applicable statute.


[1999 c 153 § 48; 1981 c 313 § 3; 1975 1st ex.s. c 188 § 5; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 9; 1967 c 72 § 22.]

Notes: Part headings not law -- 1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.

Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.


Severability -- 1975 1st ex.s. c 188: See RCW 36.94.921.


Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.


Local improvements, supplemental authority: Chapter 35.51 RCW.






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36.94.225
Exemption of farm and agricultural land from special benefit assessments.
See RCW 84.34.300 through 84.34.380 and 84.34.922.






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36.94.230
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Initiation of district by resolution or petition — Publication — Notice to property owners — Contents.
Utility local improvement districts and local improvement districts to carry out all or any portion of the general plan, or additions and betterments thereof, may be initiated either by resolution of the county legislative authority or by petition signed by the owners according to the records of the office of the county assessor of at least fifty-one percent of the area of land within the limits of the local district to be created.

In case the county legislative authority desires to initiate the formation of a local district by resolution, it shall first pass a resolution declaring its intention to order such improvement, setting forth the nature and territorial extent of such proposed improvement, designating the number of the proposed local district, describing the boundaries thereof, stating the estimated cost and expense of the improvement and the proportionate amount thereof which will be borne by the property within the proposed district, and fixing a date, time, and place for a public hearing on the formation of the proposed local district.

In case any such local district is initiated by petition, such petition shall set forth the nature and territorial extent of such proposed improvement and the fact that the signers thereof are the owners according to the records of the county assessor of at least fifty-one percent of the area of land within the limits of the local district to be created. Upon the filing of such petition with the clerk of the county legislative authority, the authority shall determine whether the same is sufficient, and the authority's determination thereof shall be conclusive upon all persons. No person may withdraw his or her name from said petition after the filing thereof with the clerk of the county legislative authority. If the county legislative authority finds the petition to be sufficient, it shall proceed to adopt a resolution declaring its intention to order the improvement petitioned for, setting forth the nature and territorial extent of said improvement, designating the number of the proposed local district, describing the boundaries thereof, stating the estimated cost and expense of the improvement and the proportionate amount thereof which will be borne by the property within the proposed local district, and fixing a date, time, and place for a public hearing on the formation of the proposed local district.

Notice of the adoption of the resolution of intention, whether adopted on the initiative of the board or pursuant to a petition of the property owners, shall be published in at least two consecutive issues of a newspaper of general circulation in the proposed local district, the date of the first publication to be at least fifteen days prior to the date fixed by such resolution for hearing before the county legislative authority. Notice of the adoption of the resolution of intention shall also be given each owner or reputed owner of any lot, tract, parcel of land, or other property within the proposed local district by mailing said notice at least fifteen days before the date fixed for the public hearing to the owner or reputed owner of the property as shown on the tax rolls of the county treasurer at the address shown thereon. The notice shall refer to the resolution of intention and designate the proposed local district by number. Said notice shall also set forth the nature of the proposed improvement, the total estimated cost, the proportion of total cost to be borne by assessments, the estimated amount of the cost and expense of such improvement to be borne by the particular lot, tract, or parcel, the date, time, and place of the hearing before the county legislative authority; and in the case of improvements initiated by resolution, said notice shall also state that all persons desiring to object to the formation of the proposed district must file their written protests with the clerk of the county legislative authority before the time fixed for said public hearing.


[2002 c 168 § 2; 1981 c 313 § 4; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 10; 1967 c 72 § 23.]

Notes: Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.

Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.







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36.94.232
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Notice must contain statement that assessments may vary from estimates.
Any notice given to the public or to the owners of specific lots, tracts, or parcels of land relating to the formation of a local improvement district or utility local improvement district shall contain a statement that actual assessments may vary from assessment estimates so long as they do not exceed a figure equal to the increased true and fair value the improvement adds to the property.


[1989 c 243 § 6.]




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36.94.235
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Sanitary sewer or potable water facilities — Notice to certain property owners.
Whenever it is proposed that a local improvement district or utility local improvement district finance sanitary sewers or potable water facilities, additional notice of the public hearing on the proposed improvement district shall be mailed to the owners of any property located outside of the proposed improvement district that would be required as a condition of federal housing administration loan qualification, at the time of notice, to be connected to the specific sewer or water facilities installed by the local improvement district. The notice shall include information about this restriction.


[1987 c 315 § 3.]




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36.94.240
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Hearing — Improvement ordered — Divestment of power to order, time limitation — Assessment roll.
Whether the improvement is initiated by petition or resolution, the county legislative authority shall conduct a public hearing at the time and place designated in the notice to the property owners. At this hearing the authority shall hear objections from any person affected by the formation of the local district and may make such changes in the boundaries of the district or such modifications in plans for the proposed improvement as are deemed necessary: PROVIDED, That the authority may not change the boundaries of the district to include property not previously included therein without first passing a new resolution of intention and giving a new notice to property owners in the manner and form and within the time herein provided for the original notice.

After said hearing the county legislative authority has jurisdiction to overrule protests and proceed with any such improvement initiated by petition or resolution: PROVIDED, That the jurisdiction of the authority to proceed with any improvement initiated by resolution shall be divested by protests filed with the clerk of the authority prior to said public hearing signed by the owners, according to the records of the county auditor, of at least forty percent of the area of land within the proposed local district. No action whatsoever may be maintained challenging the jurisdiction or authority of the county to proceed with the improvement and creating the local district or in any way challenging the validity thereof or any proceedings relating thereto unless that action is served and filed no later than thirty days after the date of passage of the resolution ordering the improvement and creating the local district.

If the county legislative authority finds that the district should be formed, it shall by resolution order the improvement, adopt detailed plans of the local district and declare the estimated cost thereof, acquire all necessary land therefor, pay all damages caused thereby, and commence in the name of the county such eminent domain proceedings and supplemental assessment or reassessment proceedings to pay all eminent domain awards as may be necessary to entitle the county to proceed with the work. The county legislative authority shall proceed with the work and file with the county treasurer its roll levying special assessments in the amount to be paid by special assessment against the property situated within the local district in proportion to the special benefits to be derived by the property therein from the improvement.


[1981 c 313 § 5; 1971 ex.s. c 96 § 11; 1967 c 72 § 24.]

Notes: Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.

Construction -- Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 96: See notes following RCW 36.94.010.







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36.94.250
Local improvement districts and utility local improvement districts — Notice of filing roll — Hearing on protests.
Before the approval of the roll a notice shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the local district, stating that the roll is on file and open to inspection in the office of the county legislative authority, and fixing the time, not less than fifteen or more than forty-five days from the date of the first publication of the notice, within which protests must be filed with the clerk against any assessments shown thereon, and fixing a time when a hearing will be held on the protests. The hearing shall be held before the county legislative authority, or the county legislative authority may direct that the hearing shall be held before either a committee of the legislative authority or a designated officer. The notice shall also be given by mailing at least fifteen days before the hearing, a similar notice to the owners or reputed owners of the land in the local district as they appear on the books of the treasurer of the county.


[1981 c 313 § 17; 1967 c 72 § 25.]

Notes: Severability -- 1981 c 313: See note following RCW 36.94.020.






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