Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.48
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:
(a) "Building" has the definition in RCW 9A.04.110(5), and where a building consists of two or more units separately secured or occupied, each unit shall not be treated as a separate building;
(b) "Damages", in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any charring, scorching, burning, or breaking, or agricultural or industrial sabotage, and shall include any diminution in the value of any property as a consequence of an act;
(c) "Property of another" means property in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.
(2) To constitute arson it is not necessary that a person other than the actor has ownership in the building or structure damaged or set on fire.
[ 2002 c 32 s 1; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 38 s 6; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.48.010.]

Notes:

Effective date—2002 c 32: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 12, 2002]." [ 2002 c 32 s 2.]
Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 38: See notes following RCW 9A.08.020.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1986–2026 · leading case: State v. Wooten, 312 P.3d 41 (Wash. 2013).
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State v. Wooten, 312 P.3d 41 (Wash. 2013). · cites it 6× “; see also RCW 9A.48.010. The State submitted sufficient evidence for the jury to so find.”
State v. Newcomb, 160 Wash. App. 184 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.48.010(l)(c); 13A Seth A. Fine, Washington Practice: Criminal Law § 1702, at 203 (2d ed.”
State v. Ratliff, 730 P.2d 716 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 2× “" RCW 9A.48.010-(1)(b). If, as appellant argues, diminution in value is the only meaning of damages, then some part of the statute is surplusage.”
State v. Timothy K., 27 P.3d 1263 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “" RCW 9A.48.010(b). Conversely, the malicious harassment offense is found in chapter 9A.”
State v. Newcomb, 246 P.3d 1286 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “Property is there defined as "anything of value, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal.”
State v. Timothy K., 107 Wash. App. 784 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “” RCW 9A.48.010(1)(b). Conversely, the malicious harassment offense is found in chapter 9A.”
State of Washington v. J.A.V., 501 P.3d 159 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “We agree that the State did not show who owned the tunnel, but we conclude that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that J.”
Post Sentence Petition Of Anthony Lucio (Wash. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “Despite amending the name of the crime found in RCW 9A.48.010 during 2013, the legislature never amended RCW 9.”
State v. Wooten (Wash. 2013). · cites it 4× “The House Was Not the Property ofAnother for Malicious Mischief Purposes The Revised Code of Washington defines "' [p ]roperty of another"' as that "in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.”
State v. Wooten (Wash. 2013). · cites it 4× “The House Was Not the Property ofAnother for Malicious Mischief Purposes The Revised Code of Washington defines "' [p ]roperty of another"' as that "in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.”
State of Washington v. Bryan Lee Wing (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.48.010(1)(b) defines “damages” as follows: “Damages”, in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any charring, scorching, burning, or breaking, or agricultural or industrial sabotage, and shall include any diminution in the value of any property as a consequence of an…”
Bledsoe v. Ferry Cnty. (E.D. Wash. 2020). · cites it 2× “” See RCW 9A.48.010(1)(a) 17 (referencing RCW 9A.”
Show all 18 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(1) — 1 case
State v. Newcomb, 246 P.3d 1286 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “Property is there defined as "anything of value, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(1)(a) — 1 case
Bledsoe v. Ferry Cnty. (E.D. Wash. 2020). “” See RCW 9A.48.010(1)(a) 17 (referencing RCW 9A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(1)(b) — 4 cases
State v. Timothy K., 107 Wash. App. 784 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “” RCW 9A.48.010(1)(b). Conversely, the malicious harassment offense is found in chapter 9A.”
State of Washington v. Bryan Lee Wing (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “RCW 9A.48.010(1)(b) defines “damages” as follows: “Damages”, in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any charring, scorching, burning, or breaking, or agricultural or industrial sabotage, and shall include any diminution in the value of any property as a consequence of an…”
State of Washington v. Kirt Anthony Mcpherson (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
State of Washington v. Wendy Limon Amezcua (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(1)(c) — 6 cases
State v. Newcomb, 246 P.3d 1286 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “Property is there defined as "anything of value, whether tangible or intangible, real or personal.”
State of Washington v. J.A.V., 501 P.3d 159 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “We agree that the State did not show who owned the tunnel, but we conclude that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that J.”
State v. Wooten (Wash. 2013). “The House Was Not the Property ofAnother for Malicious Mischief Purposes The Revised Code of Washington defines "' [p ]roperty of another"' as that "in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.”
State v. Wooten (Wash. 2013). “The House Was Not the Property ofAnother for Malicious Mischief Purposes The Revised Code of Washington defines "' [p ]roperty of another"' as that "in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.”
Dawn Hill v. Joseph Mack (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(b) — 3 cases
State v. Timothy K., 27 P.3d 1263 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “" RCW 9A.48.010(b). Conversely, the malicious harassment offense is found in chapter 9A.”
Bledsoe v. Ferry Cnty. (E.D. Wash. 2020). “” See RCW 9A.48.010(1)(a) 17 (referencing RCW 9A.”
State of Washington v. Sylvester Cantu Lopez Jr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(l)(b) — 1 case
State v. Ratliff, 730 P.2d 716 (Wash. Ct. App. 1986). “" RCW 9A.48.010-(1)(b). If, as appellant argues, diminution in value is the only meaning of damages, then some part of the statute is surplusage.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.48.010(l)(c) — 2 cases
State v. Wooten, 312 P.3d 41 (Wash. 2013). “; see also RCW 9A.48.010. The State submitted sufficient evidence for the jury to so find.”
State v. Newcomb, 160 Wash. App. 184 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 9A.48.010(l)(c); 13A Seth A. Fine, Washington Practice: Criminal Law § 1702, at 203 (2d ed.”
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