Wash. Rev. Code » Title 3 · Chapter 3.50
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 3.50.080 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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Salaries of municipal court judges shall be fixed by ordinance. All costs of operating the municipal court, including but not limited to salaries of judges and court employees, dockets, books of records, forms, furnishings, and supplies, shall be paid wholly out of the funds of the city or town. The city shall provide a suitable place for holding court and pay all expenses of maintaining it.
All employees of the municipal court shall, for all purposes, be deemed employees of the city or town. They shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the court.
[ 1984 c 258 s 111; 1961 c 299 s 57.]

Notes:

Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
Application—1984 c 258 ss 101-139: See note following RCW 3.50.005.
Salaries of municipal judges in cities over 400,000: RCW 3.58.010 and 35.20.160.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2000–2021 · leading case: City of Medina v. Primm, 157 P.3d 379 (Wash. 2007).
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City of Medina v. Primm, 157 P.3d 379 (Wash. 2007). “But RCW 3.50.080 requires a municipality to operate its own municipal court: All costs of operating the municipal court, including but not limited to salaries of judges and court employees, dockets, books of records, forms, furnishings, and supplies, shall be paid wholly out of…”
Cotton v. City of Elma, 998 P.2d 339 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “[4] Amicus Curiae District and Municipal Court Judges' Association (DMCJA) argues that the Mayor's action in overturning Cotton's disciplinary action regarding a court employee violates separation of powers principles and RCW 3.”
Wise v. City of Chelan, 135 P.3d 951 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “090; RCW 3.50.080. The Chelan City Council itself used the term “salary” in the ordinance fixing Judge Wise’s compensation.”
Ladenburg v. Henke, 486 P.3d 866 (Wash. 2021). “” RCW 3.50.080; former RCW 3.46.090 (1984).”
Cotton v. City of Elma, 100 Wash. App. 685 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Amicus Curiae District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association argues that the Mayor’s action in overturning Cotton’s disciplinary action regarding a court employee violates separation of powers principles and RCW 3.”
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