Wash. Rev. Code » Title 35 · Chapter 35.22
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 35.22.200 (2026)

Legislative powers of charter city—Where vested—Direct legislation

✓ current as of May 2026
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The legislative powers of a charter city shall be vested in a mayor and a city council, to consist of such number of members and to have such powers as may be provided for in its charter. The charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum upon any matter within the scope of the powers, functions, or duties of the city. The mayor and council and such other elective officers as may be provided for in such charter shall be elected at such times and in such manner as provided in Title 29A RCW, and for such terms and shall perform such duties as may be prescribed in the charter, and shall receive compensation in accordance with the process or standards of a charter provision or ordinance which conforms with RCW 35.21.015.
[ 2015 c 53 s 36; 2001 c 73 s 2; 1965 ex.s. c 47 s 13; 1965 c 7 s 35.22.200. Prior: (i) 1890 p 223 s 6, part; RRS s 8977, part. (ii) 1927 c 52 s 1; 1911 c 17 s 2; RRS s 8949.]

Notes:

Findings—Intent—Severability—2001 c 73: See notes following RCW 35.21.015.
Powers of cities adopting charters: RCW 35.22.195.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 14 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1955–2025 · leading case: State v. Evergreen Freedom Found., 432 P.3d 805 (Wash. 2019).
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State v. Evergreen Freedom Found., 432 P.3d 805 (Wash. 2019). · cites it 2× “See also RCW 35.22.200 (recognizing that charter cities "may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative"); e.”
City of Spokane v. Spokane Police Guild, 553 P.2d 1316 (Wash. 1976). · cites it 2× “Johnson, however, was decided prior to the enactment in 1973 of the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act (RCW 41.56), the constitutionality of which we uphold.”
Spokane Entrepreneurial Ctr. v. Spokane Moves to Amend the Constitution, 369 P.3d 140 (Wash. 2016). “See RCW 35.22.200 (“The [city] charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum upon any matter within the scope of the powers, functions, or duties of the city.”
Paxton v. City of Bellingham, 129 Wash. App. 439 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “” RCW 35.22.200. The City Charter addresses initiative petitions and designates the number of signatures necessary for an initiative to be placed on the ballot.”
Port Of Tacoma v. Save Tacoma Water, 422 P.3d 917 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “Under RCW 35.22.200, a charter city such as Tacoma may “provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative,” but only “upon any matter within the scope of the powers, functions, or duties of the city.”
Paxton v. City of Bellingham, 119 P.3d 373 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “" RCW 35.22.200. The City Charter addresses initiative petitions and designates the number of signatures necessary for an initiative to be placed on the ballot.”
Global Neighborhood v. Respect Washington, 434 P.3d 1024 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “200 declares, in part: The legislative powers of a charter city shall be vested in a mayor and a city council, to consist of such number of members and to have such powers as may be provided for in its charter. The charter may provide for 40 No.”
State ex rel. Everett Fire Fighters, Local No. 350 v. Johnson, 278 P.2d 662 (Wash. 1955). “The city, of course, cannot pass an unconstitutional law for its local government any more than the state can.”
Jewels Helping Hands & Ben Stuckart v. Brian Hansen, 539 P.3d 68 (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). “See RCW 35.22.200. We agree with Mr. Hansen. 7 No.”
Jewels Helping Hands v. Hansen, 567 P.3d 19 (Wash. 2025). · cites it 2× “at 104 (citing RCW 35.22.200). Thus, the state initiative power and the local initiative power “are not equivalent.”
Spokane Entrepreneurial Ctr. v. Spokane Moves to Amend the Constitution (Wash. 2016). “See RCW 35.22.200 ("The [city] charter may provide for direct legislation by the people through the initiative and referendum upon any matter within the scope of the powers, functions, or duties of the city.”
State Of Washington v. Evergreen Freedom Found. (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). “010; Shelton Municipal Code (SMC) 1.24.010. Shelton also operates under a commission form of government.”
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