Wash. Rev. Code § 84.52.052 (2026)

The limitations imposed by RCW 84.52.050 through 84.52.056, and RCW 84.52.043 shall not prevent the levy of additional taxes by any taxing district, except school districts and fire protection districts, in which a larger levy is necessary in order to prevent the impairment of the obligation of contracts. As used in this section, the term "taxing district" means any county, metropolitan park district, park and recreation service area, park and recreation district, water-sewer district, solid waste disposal district, public facilities district, flood control zone district, county rail district, service district, public hospital district, road district, rural county library district, island library district, rural partial-county library district, intercounty rural library district, cemetery district, city, town, transportation benefit district, emergency medical service district with a population density of less than one thousand per square mile, cultural arts, stadium, and convention district, ferry district, city transportation authority, or regional fire protection service authority.

Any such taxing district may levy taxes at a rate in excess of the rate specified in RCW 84.52.050 through 84.52.056 and 84.52.043, or 84.55.010 through 84.55.050, when authorized so to do by the voters of such taxing district in the manner set forth in Article VII, section 2(a) of the Constitution of this state at a special or general election to be held in the year in which the levy is made.

A special election may be called and the time therefor fixed by the county legislative authority, or council, board of commissioners, or other governing body of any such taxing district, by giving notice thereof by publication in the manner provided by law for giving notices of general elections, at which special election the proposition authorizing such excess levy shall be submitted in such form as to enable the voters favoring the proposition to vote "yes" and those opposed thereto to vote "no."

Findings—Intent—Captions, part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2003 c 83: See notes following RCW 36.57A.200.

Contingent effective date—2002 c 180: "This act takes effect January 1, 2003, if the proposed amendment to Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution authorizing multiyear excess property tax levies is validly submitted to and approved by the voters at the next general election. If the proposed amendment is not approved, this act is void in its entirety." [ 2002 c 180 s 4.] The proposed amendment to Article VII, section 2 was approved at the November 2002 election.

Part headings not law—Effective date—1996 c 230: See notes following RCW 57.02.001.

Severability—1989 c 53: See note following RCW 36.73.020.

Severability—1983 c 315: See note following RCW 90.03.500.

Severability—1983 c 2: See note following RCW 18.71.030.

Severability—1982 c 175: See note following RCW 36.58.100.

Severability—1981 c 210: See note following RCW 36.68.400.

Severability—1977 ex.s. c 325: "If any provision of this 1977 amendatory 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." [ 1977 ex.s. c 325 s 5.]

Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 325: "This 1977 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1977." [ 1977 ex.s. c 325 s 6.]

Severability—1977 c 4: "If any provision of this 1977 amendatory 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." [ 1977 c 4 s 4.]

Severability—Effective dates and termination dates—Construction—1973 1st ex.s. c 195: See notes following RCW 84.52.043.

Savings—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 288: See notes following RCW 84.40.030.