Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1970 NO. 5 >

During the pendency of proceedings under a resolution of the legislative body of an incorporated city to change its governmental classification to that of a noncharter code city under the optional municipal code (Title 35A RCW), an initiative petition signed by the requisite percentage of electors and calling for a change in classification to that of a charter code city, as provided for in RCW 35A.08.030, may not be accepted for filing.

AGO 1970 NO. 8 >

(1) The legislature has not granted the powers of initiative and referendum to the resident voters of a noncharter code city having a population of less than ten thousand inhabitants operating under the mayor-council form of government.(2) However, the legislature may, by the enactment of appropriate amendments to the optional municipal code, grant the powers of initiative and referendum to the resident voters of such a noncharter code city.(3) In the absence of legislation granting the powers of initiative and referendum to the resident voters of a noncharter code city operating under the mayor-council form of government, the city council of such a city may not grant these powers by ordinance.