Wash. Rev. Code » Title 39 · Chapter 39.50
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 39.50.010 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Governing body" means the legislative authority of a municipal corporation by whatever name designated;
(2) "Local improvement district" includes local improvement districts, utility local improvement districts, road improvement districts, and other improvement districts that a municipal corporation is authorized by law to establish;
(3) "Municipal corporation" means any city, town, county, water-sewer district, school district, port district, public utility district, metropolitan municipal corporation, public transportation benefit area, park and recreation district, irrigation district, fire protection district or any other municipal or quasi municipal corporation described as such by statute, or regional transit authority, except joint operating agencies under chapter 43.52 RCW;
(4) "Ordinance" means an ordinance of a city or town or resolution or other instrument by which the governing body of the municipal corporation exercising any power under this chapter takes formal action and adopts legislative provisions and matters of some permanency; and
(5) "Short-term obligations" are warrants, notes, capital leases, or other evidences of indebtedness, except bonds.
[ 2001 c 299 s 16; 1999 c 153 s 54; 1998 c 106 s 8; 1985 c 332 s 8; 1982 c 216 s 2.]

Notes:

Part headings not law—1999 c 153: See note following RCW 57.04.050.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 2005–2020 · leading case: Bosteder v. City of Renton, 117 P.3d 316 (Wash. 2005).
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Bosteder v. City of Renton, 117 P.3d 316 (Wash. 2005). · cites it 2× “010(2) defines local governmental entity as follows: "Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, for the purposes of this chapter, `local governmental entity' means a county, city, town, special district, municipal corporation as defined in RCW 39.50.010, quasi-municipal…”
Bosteder v. City of Renton, 155 Wash. 2d 18 (Wash. 2005). “010(2) provides in full: “Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, for the purposes of this chapter, local governmental entity" means a county, city, town, special district, municipal corporation as defined in RCW 39.50.010, quasi-municipal corporation, or public hospital.”
Fast v. Kennewick Pub. Hosp. Dist., 354 P.3d 858 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “(2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, for the purposes of this chapter, “local governmental entity” means a county, city, town, special district, municipal corporation as defined in RCW 39.50.010, quasi-municipal corporation, any joint municipal utility services…”
Gates v. Port of Kalama, 215 P.3d 983 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “All claims for damages arising out of tortious conduct must locate and describe the conduct and circumstances which brought about the injury or damage, describe the injury or damage, state the time and place the injury or damage occurred, state the names of all persons involved,…”
Gates v. Port of Kalama, 152 Wash. App. 82 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “All claims for damages arising out of tortious conduct must locate and describe the conduct and circumstances which brought about the injury or damage, describe the injury or damage, state the time and place the injury or damage occurred, state the names of all persons involved,…”
W.H. v. Olympia Sch. Dist. (Wash. 2020). · cites it 2× “Further, to whatever extent sovereign immunity may have protected school districts from discrimination lawsuits prior to the WLAD, the WLAD clearly abrogated that sovereign immunity when it created a private cause of action, permitting suit in court, for discrimination in places…”
Voag v. Fish (W.D. Wash. 2020). “010 or 17 RCW 39.50.010. See also Bradford v. City of Seattle, 557 F.”
Shane Fast v. Kennewick Pub. Hosp. Dist. d/b/a Kennewick Gen. Hosp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “(2) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, for the purposes of this chapter, "local governmental entity" means a county, city, town, special district, municipal corporation as defined in RCW 39.50.010, quasi-municipal corporation, any joint municipal utility services…”
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