Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 36.01.010 (2026)

Corporate powers

✓ current as of May 2026

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The several counties in this state shall have capacity as bodies corporate, to sue and be sued in the manner prescribed by law; to purchase and hold lands; to make such contracts, and to purchase and hold such personal property, as may be necessary to their corporate or administrative powers, and to do all other necessary acts in relation to all the property of the county.

[ 1986 c 278 s 1; 1963 c 4 s 36.01.010. Prior: Code 1881 s 2653; 1863 p 538 s 1; 1854 p 329 s 1; RRS s 3982.]

Notes:

Severability—1986 c 278: "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." [ 1986 c 278 s 65.]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 20 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1986–2023 · leading case: State ex rel. Banks v. Drummond, 385 P.3d 769 (Wash. 2016).

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State ex rel. Banks v. Drummond, 385 P.3d 769 (Wash. 2016). · cites it 6× “200” and according to “its inherent general contracting authority under RCW 36.01.010 and RCW 36.32.120(6).” We address the specific and general authority claims in turn.”

Worthington v. WestNET, 341 P.3d 995 (Wash. 2015). · cites it 4× “120(6), read together with RCW 36.01.010 and .020, makes clear the legislative intent that in a legal action involving a county, the county itself is the only legal entity capable of suing and being sued.”

Broyles v. Thurston Cnty., 195 P.3d 985 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “120(6), read together with RCW 36.01.010 and .020, makes clear the legislative intent that in a legal action involving a county, the county itself is the only legal entity capable of suing and being sued.”

Pierce Cnty. v. State, 185 P.3d 594 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “020 (allowing persons to sue for a declaration of statutory or contractual rights), and RCW 36.01.010 (allowing counties to sue).”

Broyles v. Thurston Cnty., 147 Wash. App. 409 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). “It follows that a county council is not a legal entity separate and apart from the county itself.”

Nolan v. Snohomish Cnty., 802 P.2d 792 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). “RCW 36.01.010 provides: The several counties in this state shall have capacity as bodies corporate, to sue and be sued in the manner prescribed by law; to purchase and hold lands; to make such contracts, and to purchase and hold such personal property, as may be necessary to…”

Swinomish Indian Tribal Cmty. v. Skagit Cnty., 158 P.3d 1179 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “RCW 36.01.010. 19 Wn.2d 109 , 141 P.2d 651 (1943).”

Foothills Dev. Co. v. Clark Cnty. Bd. of Cnty. Commissioners, 730 P.2d 1369 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986). “Former RCW 36.01.010 provides: The several counties in this state shall have capacity as bodies corporate, to sue and be sued in the manner prescribed by law; to purchase and hold lands within their own limits; .”

Culpepper v. Snohomish Cnty. Dep't of Plan., 796 P.2d 1285 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 2× “Failure To Name the County as a Party RCW 36.01.010 and .020 provide as follows: Corporate powers.”

Consol. Disposal Servs., Inc. v. Grant Cnty., 754 P.2d 1059 (Wash. Ct. App. 1988). · cites it 2× “RCW 36.01.010 1 enumerates the corporate powers of the counties.”

State ex rel. Banks v. Drummond (Wash. 2016). · cites it 4× “200" and according to "its inherent general contracting authority under RCW 36.01.010 and RCW 36.32.120(6)." We address the specific and general authority claims in turn.”

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