Wash. Rev. Code » Title 42 · Chapter 42.30
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 42.30.070 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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The governing body of a public agency shall provide the time for holding regular meetings by ordinance, resolution, bylaws, or by whatever other rule is required for the conduct of business by that body. Unless otherwise provided for in the act under which the public agency was formed, meetings of the governing body need not be held within the boundaries of the territory over which the public agency exercises jurisdiction. If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday, such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. If, by reason of fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergency, there is a need for expedited action by a governing body to meet the emergency, the presiding officer of the governing body may provide for a meeting site other than the regular meeting site, for a remote meeting without a physical location, or for a meeting at which the physical attendance by some or all members of the public is limited due to a declared emergency, and the notice requirements of this chapter shall be suspended during such emergency. It shall not be a violation of the requirements of this chapter for a majority of the members of a governing body to travel together or gather for purposes other than a regular meeting or a special meeting as these terms are used in this chapter: PROVIDED, That they take no action as defined in this chapter.
[ 2022 c 115 s 8; 1983 c 155 s 2; 1973 c 66 s 1; 1971 ex.s. c 250 s 7.]

Notes:

Effective date—2022 c 115 ss 5-11: See note following RCW 42.30.230.
Findings—Intent—2022 c 115: See note following RCW 42.30.230.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1975–2026 · leading case: Teaford v. Howard, 707 P.2d 1327 (Wash. 1985).
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Teaford v. Howard, 707 P.2d 1327 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 4× “Charge 1 thus alleges "action" required to be done at a "meeting" "open and public" was done in private.”
Estey v. Dempsey, 707 P.2d 1338 (Wash. 1985). · cites it 4× “020(3), and does not automatically occur when a majority of the members of a governing body gather together, RCW 42.30.070. The petition alleges only that "action was taken on negotiations" for a consulting contract at the February 13, 1985 meeting and fails to state what…”
Loeffelholz v. Citizens for Leaders With Ethics & Acct. Now, 82 P.3d 1199 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “and does not automatically occur when a majority of the members of a governing body gather together, RCW 42.30.070.”); Schmitt v. Cape George Sewer Dist.”
Wood v. Battle Ground Sch. Dist., 27 P.3d 1208 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “, RCW 42.30.070 ("It shall not be a violation.”
Wood v. Battle Ground Sch. Dist., 107 Wash. App. 550 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “, RCW 42.30.070 (“It shall not be a violation .”
Mead Sch. Dist. No. 354 v. Mead Educ. Ass'n, 530 P.2d 302 (Wash. 1975). “The term is used in the parallel provision of RCW 42.30.070, which permits notice of scheduled meetings to be dispensed with in case of “fire, flood, earthquake, or other emergency .”
In Re the Recall of Roberts, 799 P.2d 734 (Wash. 1990). “" RCW 42.30.070. The essence of Greenway's petition is that respondents, constituting a majority of the Town Council, conducted "meetings" in secret.”
Loeffelholz v. Citizens for Leaders, 82 P.3d 1199 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “and does not automatically occur when a majority of the members of a governing body gather together, RCW 42.30.070."); Schmitt v. Cape George Sewer Dist.”
Kirk v. Pierce Cnty. Fire Prot. Dist. No. 21, 630 P.2d 930 (Wash. 1981). “RCW 42.30.070. The act also provides for special meetings which may be held upon compliance with certain notice requirements.”
Jimmy Hilliard, Et Ux. v. Lewis Cnty. Water & Sewer Dist. 5 (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “080(4) provides an emergency exception to this notice requirement: The notices provided in this section may be dispensed with in the event a special meeting is called to deal with an emergency involving injury or damage to persons or property or the likelihood of such injury or…”
Arthur West v. Seattle City Council (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “RCW 42.30.070. The OPMA defines “action” as “the transaction of the official business of a public agency by a governing body including but not limited to receipt of public testimony, deliberations, discussions, considerations, reviews, evaluations, and final actions.”
Arthur West, V. City Of Burien (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). “RCW 42.30.070. To prevail on a claim for civil penalties under RCW 42.”
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