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› Special Purpose Districts in Washington by Date of Enabling Legislation
Reviewed 10/08
Special Purpose Districts in Washington by Date of Enabling Legislation
Includes Districts Created for Financing Purposes (Noted by *)
- Alphabetical List of Special Purpose Districts in Washington
- Special Purpose Districts by Type
- Special Purpose Districts by Function
| District | Date Created | Enabling Statute (RCW) | Purpose |
| County Road District * | 1889 | RCW 36.75.060 | Provide revenue to establish, laying out, constructing, altering, repairing, improving and maintaining county roads |
| School Districts | 1889 | Ch. 28A.315 RCW | Education |
| Irrigation Districts | 1890 | Ch. 87.03 RCW | Provide irrigation of land, develop electrical generating facilities, purchase and sell electricity, provide street lighting, sewer and domestic water system |
| Diking Districts | 1895 | Ch. 85.05 RCW | Straighten, widen, deepen and improve all rivers, watercourses or streams, construct diking system to protect land from overflow |
| Drainage District | 1895 | Ch. 85.06 RCW | Establish drainage system. |
| Joint School Districts | 1897 | Ch. 28A.323 RCW | Any school district composed of territory lying in more than one county |
| River & Harbor Improvement Districts* | 1903 | Ch. 88.32 RCW | When federal govt making River, lake, canal or harbor improvement allows county to cooperate; can form joint board for planning for improvement of navigable river |
| Flood Control by Counties (River Improvement Fund)* | 1907 | Ch. 86.12 RCW | Funding source for river improvements |
| Metropolitan Park District | 1907 | Ch. 35.61 RCW | Manage, control, improve, maintain, and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities |
| Diking & Drainage Districts in Two or More Counties (Intercounty Diking and Drainage Districts) | 1909 | Ch. 85.24 RCW | Establish diking and drainage systems or erect flood dames to prevent inundations on land located in two or more counties |
| Port Districts | 1911 | Title 53 RCW | Acquire, construct, maintain, operate, develop and regulate system of harbor improvements, rail and water transfer and terminal facilities; air transfer, or terminal facilities, other storage and handling facilities. Acquire and construct toll bridges and tunnels and beltline railways, industrial development districts |
| Commercial Waterway Districts | 1911, Repealed 1971 | Ch. 91.04 RCW | Construct system of waterways |
| Public Waterway Districts* | 1911 | Ch. 91.08 RCW | Provides funding for owners of lands bordering upon/accessible to any navigable water shall to improve waterway |
| Diking, Drainage, Sewerage Improvement Districts 1913 Act, Funding methods revised by Diking, Drainage, and Sewerage Improvement Districts - 1967 Act | 1913, 1967 | Ch. 85.08 RCW; Ch. 85.15 RCW | Construct system of diking, drainage, or sewerage improvements |
| Flood Control by Counties Jointly - 1913 Act (Intercounty) | 1913 | Ch. 86.13 RCW | To help counties control flooding on a river that is or shall be the boundary line between two counties or its tributaries or outlet flows through parts of two counties and has a history of flooding |
| Water Districts | 1913 | Title 57 RCW | Water supply and distribution |
| Drainage Improvement District; Diking Improvement District - Improvement Districts - 1917 Act (reorganization of Diking or Drainage Dist) | 1917 | Ch. 85.20 RCW | Construct, straighten, widen, deepen, and improve all rivers, watercourses or streams causing overflow damage to land in district |
| Ferry Districts | 1917, Repealed 1994 | RCW 36.54..080-.100 | Operate ferry vessels within islands |
| Agricultural Pest Districts | 1919 | Ch. 17.12 RCW | Destroy/exterminate animals that destroy/interfere with agricultural plants or products |
| Water Distribution District | 1921, Repealed 1971 | Distribution of water for agricultural lands | |
| Weed Districts | 1921 | Ch. 17.04 RCW | Control, prevent and exterminate weed found detrimental to crops, fruit trees, shrubs, foliage or other agricultural plants or foliage |
| Sewage Improvement Districts* - Formerly under Title 85 After 1979 powers of title 85 | 1923 | RCW 57.04.120 -.130 | Construct system of sewerage improvements |
| Reclamation Districts of one million acres | 1927 | Ch. 89.30 RCW | Reclamation and improvement of arid and semiarid lands and for the generation and/or sale of hydroelectric energy |
| Public Utility Districts | 1931 | Title 54 RCW | Conserve water & power resources; supply public utility service including water and electricity, sewer, telecommunications |
| Diking, Drainage and Irrigation Improvement District; Drainage and Irrigation Improvement district - Improvement Districts - 1933 Act | 1933 | Ch. 85.22 RCW | Construct, straighten, widen, deepen, and improve all rivers, watercourses or streams causing overflow damage to land in district |
| Fire Protection Districts | 1933 | Title 52 RCW | Eliminate fire hazards and protect life and property outside cities/towns except where cities/towns have annexed |
| Sanitary Districts* | 1933, Repealed 1971 | Title 55 RCW | Collect and dispose of garbage |
| Flood Control Districts - 1935 Act | 1935, Repealed 1965 | Ch.86.05 RCW | Control stream system, protection against tidal or any bodies of water |
| Regional Library | 1935 | RCW 27.12.080 | Allows two or more counties, or other governmental units to provide library services through interlocal contract |
| Flood Control Districts - 1937 Act | 1937 | Ch. 86.09 RCW | Protection of life and property, the preservation of the public health and the conservation and development of the natural resources |
| Conservation Districts | 1939 | Ch. 89.08 RCW | Conserve soil resources, prevent flood water and sediment damages.... |
| Industrial Development Districts (Ports)* - to develop marginal area properties | 1939 | Ch. 53.25 RCW | Provide funding for developing or redeveloping marginal area properties |
| Public Housing Authorities | 1939 | Ch. 35.82 RCW | Provide housing for low income persons |
| Rural County Library Districts | 1941 | RCW 27.12.040 - .070 | Library district established by joint action of two or more counties |
| Sewer Districts | 1941 | Title 57 RCW | Operate system of sewers, treatment and disposal |
| Reclamation and Irrigation Districts in Reclamation Areas | 1943 | Ch. 89.12 RCW | Provides for participation in federal reclamation projects |
| Airport District, County | 1945 | RCW 14.08.290-.330 | Establish and operate airports or other air navigational facilities |
| Health Districts | 1945 | Ch. 70.46 RCW | Provide health services within the district |
| Public Hospital Districts | 1945 | Ch. 70.44 RCW | Own and operate hospitals and other health care facilities, provide hospital and other health care services |
| Cemetery Districts | 1947 | Ch. 68.52 RCW | Acquire, establish, maintain, manage, improve and operate cemeteries and conduct businesses of a cemetery |
| Inter-County Rural Library Districts | 1947 | RCW 27.12.090 | Provides free public library service throughout several counties |
| Boards of Joint Control (Irrigation districts and other entities) |
1949 |
Ch. 87.80 RCW | Water supply administration for two or more irrigation entites |
| Air Pollution Control Authorities | 1957, 1967 | Ch. 70.94 RCW | State-wide program of air pollution prevention and control |
| Metropolitan Municipal Corporations | 1957 | Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch.36.56 RCW | Essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies: water pollution, water supply, transportation, garbage, parks & rec, comp. planning |
| Mosquito Control Districts | 1957 | Ch. 17.28 RCW | Abatement or exterminate mosquitoes |
| Park & Recreation Districts | 1957 | Ch. 36.69 RCW | Provide leisure time activities, facilities, and recreational facilities |
| Inter-County Regular Weed Districts | 1959 | Ch. 17.06 RCW | Provides for joint program of all or any part of two counties or more to control weeds |
| Diking and Drainage Districts (general provisions - revised, statutes for diking district; drainage district; diking, drainage, and/or sewerage improvement district ;intercounty diking and drainage district; consolidated diking district, drainage district, diking improvement district, and/or drainage improvement district; or flood control district.) | 1961 Recodification | Title 85 RCW | Construct, straighten, widen, deepen, and improve all rivers, watercourses or streams causing overflow damage to land in district |
| Flood Control Zone Districts | 1961 | Ch. 86.15 RCW | Undertake, operate, or maintain flood control projects/storm water control projects for areas of the county |
| Irrigation and Rehabilitation Districts | 1961 | Ch. 87.84 RCW | Conversion of certain irrigation districts to further recreational potential of larger lakes, improve inland lakes and shorelines |
| Joint Jail District (Two or more counties) | 1961, Repealed 1971 | RCW 36.63.280-.440 | Establish and operate joint county jail, farm, camp |
| Toll Facility Aid Districts | 1961, Repealed 1971 | Ch. 47.57 RCW | Pay bonds or portion of cost of toll project finance by bonds |
| Park & Recreation Service Areas | 1963 | RCW 36.68.400 - .620 | Finance, acquire construct, improve, maintain, or operate any park, senior citizen activities center, zoo, aquarium, and, or recreational facilities |
| Horticultural Pest and Disease Board (Horticultural Assessment) | 1969 | Ch. 15.09 RCW | Provide funds for inspecting and disinfecting horticultural or agricultural produces and horticultural premises |
| Solid Waste Collection Districts* | 1971 | Ch. 36.58A RCW | Mandatory collection of solid waste in unincorporated county |
| Water-Sewer Districts (water-sewer district, water district, sewer district) | 1971 | Title 57 RCW (districts reclassified, formerly Sewer Title 56, Water Title 57), reclassification 1997 | Furnish ample supply of water; purchase and maintenance of fire fighting equipment; furnish wastewater collection; provide street lighting |
| Television Reception Improvement Districts | 1971 | Ch. 36.95 RCW | Construction, maintenance, and operation of television and FM radio translator stations |
| County Public Transportation Authority | 1974 | Ch. 36.57 RCW | Allows county to provide public transportation |
| Public Transportation Benefit Area | 1975 | Ch. 36.57A RCW | Provide public transportation services with defined area |
| Unincorporated Transportation Benefit Areas (UTBA) | 1975 | RCW 36.57.100 | Provide transportation services to unincorporated areas of the county |
| Emergency Medical Service Districts* | 1979 | 36.32.480 RCW | Emergency medical services and funding |
| Joint Park and Recreation District |
1979 |
36.69.420 -.460 RCW | Enables park and recreation district to be formed by two or more counties |
| Joint city-county Housing Authorities | 1980 | RCW 35.82.300 | Housing authority created by one or more counties and any city or cities within any of those counties or in another county or counties |
| Operating Agencies (Electricity Generation and Distribution, Cities & PUD)) | 1981 | Ch. 43.52 RCW | Generate electricity |
| Apportionment District (Community redevelopment financing Act) | 1982 | Ch 39.88 RCW, Ruled unconstitutional by Leonard v. Spokane, 127 Wn. 2nd 195(1995) | Allocate a portion of regular property taxes for limited periods of time to assist in the financing of public improvements |
| Cultural Arts, Stadium, and Convention Districts | 1982 | Ch. 67.38 RCW | Construction, modification, renovation, and operation of facilities for cultural arts, stadium and convention uses |
| Island Library District | 1982 | RCW 27.12.400 - .450 | Provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns on a single island only |
| Solid Waste Disposal Districts* | 1982 | RCW 36.58.100 | Provides for and funds solid waste disposal in counties under 1 million |
| County Rail Districts | 1983 | Ch. 36.60 RCW | Providing and fund improved rail freight and passenger service |
| Legal Authorities (Hydroelectric) - Irrigation Districts | 1983 | RCW 87.03.825 - .840 | Enables cooperative development of hydroelectric generating resources by cities and irrigation districts, cities towns, irrigation districts and PUDs |
| Roads & Bridges Service Districts | 1983 | Ch. 36.83 RCW | Improvement or providing funding for capital costs for state highway improvement a county or road district has authority to provide |
| Aquifer Protection Areas* | 1985 | Ch. 36.36 RCW | Funds the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of subterranean water |
| Shellfish Protection Districts - "Clean Water Districts" | 1985 | Ch. 90.72 RCW | Protect shellfish industry from pollution |
| Lake and Beach Management Districts* | 1986 | Ch. 36.61 RCW; RCW 35.21.403 | Lake and beach improvement & maintenance |
| Emergency Service Communication Districts |
1987 |
RCW 82.14B.070-.100 | In-lieu of providing a county-wide system of emergency communication, county can form districts for providing service and funding. |
| Public Facilities Districts | 1988 - counties, 1999 - cities & towns | Ch. 36.100 RCW for counties | Acquire, construct, and operate sports facilities, entertainment facilities, convention facilities or regional centers and related parking facilities |
| Transportation Benefit District* | 1989 | Ch. 36.73 RCW; RCW 35.21.225 for city | Funding streets, roads and highways |
| Regional Transit Authorities | 1992 | RCW 81.112 | Enables transportation system for Puget Sound Area |
| Rural Public Hospital District (defined) | 1992 | RCW 70.44.450-.460 | Hospital district whose geographic boundaries do not include a city with a population greater than thirty thousand |
| Rural Partial Library District | 1993 | RCW 27.12.470 | Library district in a portion of the unincorporated area of a county |
| Library Capital Facility Area* | 1995 | Ch 27.15 RCW | Provides funding for construction of capital library facilities |
| Public Stadium Authority | 1997 | Ch. 36.102 RCW | development of a stadium and exhibition center |
| Public Facilities Districts, Cities | 1999 | Ch. 35.57 RCW cities/towns | Acquire, construct, and operate sports facilities, entertainment facilities, convention facilities or regional centers and related parking facilities |
| City Transportation Authority (Monorail) | 2002 | Ch. 35.95A RCW | Construct and operate public monorail transportation system |
| Community Renewal Area* | 2002 | Ch. 35.81 RCW | Financing to rehabilitate blighted areas |
| Regional Transportation Investment District | 2002 | Ch. 36.120 RCW | Provides regions with the ability to plan, select, fund, and implement (or contract for the implementation of) projects identified to meet the region's transportation and land use goals. |
| County Ferry Districts, passenger-only (Counties of 1 million pop) | 2003 | Ch 36.54.110-.190 RCW, Ch. 83, Laws of 2003 | Provide funding and operation of passenger-only ferries in counties bordering Puget Sound |
| Regional Fire Protection Service Authorities |
2004 |
Ch. 52.26 RCW | Provides for regional fire protection service delivery, enhanced funding options, and new authority to address critical fire protection projects and emergency services |