Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1957 NO. 88 >

1. Under RCW 58.16.010, the legislature has regulated the platting and subdividing of any land into 5 or more lots.  2. The county is authorized under chapter 35.63 RCW to regulate the subdivision of two or more lots, to require conformance with platting and subdividing regulations and certain standards for access to property and for the issuance of building permits as part of a comprehensive county plan.  3. RCW 58.16.100 enables a city or county to enjoin sale of property described by metes and bounds where sale is part of subdivision of 5 or more lots.  4. Chapter 58.16 RCW provides penalties for its violation and a city need not enact an ordinance in order to enforce the chapter.