Washington § 65.16.160 - Publication of ordinances.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 65.16.160 — Publication of ordinances., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 65.16.160. Publication of ordinances.

(1) Whenever any county is required by law to publish legal notices containing the full text of any proposed or adopted ordinance in a newspaper, the county may publish a summary of the ordinance which summary shall be approved by the governing body and which shall include:
(a) The name of the county;
(b) The formal identification or citation number of the ordinance;
(c) A descriptive title;
(d) A section-by-section summary;
(e) Any other information which the county finds is necessary to provide a complete summary; and
(f) A statement that the full text will be mailed upon request.
Publication of the title of an ordinance by a county authorizing the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness shall constitute publication of a complete summary of that ordinance, and a section-by-section summary shall not be required.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section notwithstanding, whenever any publication is made under this section and the proposed or adopted ordinance contains provisions regarding taxation or penalties or contains legal descriptions of real property, then the sections containing this matter shall be published in full and shall not be summarized. When a legal description of real property is involved, the notice shall also include the street address or addresses of the property described, if any. In the case of descriptions covering more than one street address, the street addresses of the four corners of the area described shall meet this requirement.
(3) The full text of any ordinance which is summarized by publication under this section shall be mailed without charge to any person who requests the text from the adopting county.
[ 1995 c 157 s 1; 1994 c 273 s 19; 1977 c 34 s 4.]

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 65.16.160

What does Revised Code of Washington § 65.16.160 cover?

Section 65.16.160 ("Publication of ordinances.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Washington § 65.16.160?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 65.16.160" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 65.16.160 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

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