Types of Special Purpose Districts in Washington State

This page lists the types of special purpose districts authorized by statute in Washington State by general function. Some districts serve multiple functions and may appear under multiple categories.

It is part of MRSC's series on Special Purpose Districts in Washington.

Agricultural Districts (Irrigation and Reclamation)

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Board of Joint Control (Irrigation districts and other entities)	Ch. 87.80 RCW	1949	Administer water supply system of two or more irrigation entities and promotes more effective/efficient water management.
Diking, Drainage, and Irrigation Improvement District (or Drainage and Irrigation Improvement District)	Ch. 85.22 RCW	1933	Provide irrigation, in addition to normal powers of diking or drainage district.
Irrigation District	Ch. 87.03 RCW	1890	Provide irrigation, develop electrical generating facilities, purchase and sell electricity, provide street lighting, provide sewer and domestic water systems.
Irrigation and Rehabilitation District	Ch. 87.84 RCW	1961	Convert certain irrigation districts to further recreational potential of larger lakes, improve inland lakes and shorelines.
Reclamation and Irrigation District in Reclamation Areas	Ch. 89.12 RCW	1943	Provide for participation in federal reclamation projects.
Reclamation District of One Million Acres	Ch. 89.30 RCW	1927	Reclamation and improvement of arid and semiarid lands and for the generation and/or sale of hydroelectric energy.

Agricultural Districts (Pest and Weed Control)

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Agricultural Pest District	Ch. 17.12 RCW	1919	Destroy/exterminate animals that destroy/interfere with agricultural plants or products.
Horticultural Pest and Disease Board (Horticultural Assessment)	Ch. 15.09 RCW	1969	Provide funds for inspecting and disinfecting horticultural or agricultural produces and horticultural premises.
Mosquito Control District	Ch. 17.28 RCW	1957	Abate or exterminate mosquitoes.
Weed District	Ch. 17.04 RCW	1921	Control, prevent, and exterminate weeds found detrimental to crops, fruit trees, shrubs, foliage, or other agricultural plants or foliage.
Intercounty Weed District	Ch. 17.06 RCW	1959	Provide for joint weed control program in all or any part of two or more counties.

Diking, Drainage, and Flood Control Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Diking District	Ch. 85.05 RCW	1895	Straighten, widen, deepen and improve all rivers, watercourses or streams, construct diking system to protect land from overflow.
Diking, Drainage, and Irrigation Improvement District (or Drainage and Irrigation Improvement District)	Ch. 85.22 RCW	1933	Provide irrigation, in addition to normal powers of diking or drainage district.
Diking, Drainage, and Sewerage Improvement District	Ch. 85.08 RCW; Ch. 85.15 RCW	1913	Improve dikes, ditches, sewers, and related facilities.
Diking or Drainage Improvement District	Ch. 85.20 RCW	1917	Establish diking or drainage system.
Drainage District	Ch. 85.06 RCW	1895	Establish drainage system.
Flood Control by Counties Jointly - 1913 Act (Intercounty)	Ch. 86.13 RCW	1913	Help control flooding on a river or its tributaries that border two counties.
Flood Control District	Ch. 86.09 RCW	1937	Protect life and property, preserve public health, and conserve and develop natural resources.
Flood Control Zone District	Ch. 86.15 RCW	1961	Undertake, operate, or maintain flood control projects/storm water control projects for areas of the county.
Intercounty Diking and Drainage District	Ch. 85.24 RCW	1909	Establish diking and drainage systems or erect flood dams to prevent inundations on land located in two or more counties.

Economic Development Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Apportionment District (Community Redevelopment Act)	Ch 39.88 RCW, ruled unconstitutional by Leonard v. Spokane, 127 Wn. 2nd 195 (1995)	1982	Allocate a portion of regular property taxes for limited periods of time to assist in the financing of public improvements.
Community Facilities District	Ch. 36.145 RCW	2010	Provide financing for community facilities and infrastructure.
Community Renewal Area	Ch. 35.81 RCW	2002	Provide financing to rehabilitate blighted areas.
Cultural Arts, Stadium, and Convention District	Ch. 67.38 RCW	1982	Construct, modify, renovate, and operate facilities for cultural arts, stadium, and convention uses.
Metropolitan Municipal Corporation	Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch. 36.56 RCW (assumption of powers)	1957	Provide essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies, including performing comprehensive planning. Other authorized responsibilities include water pollution abatement and providing water supply, garbage disposal, parks and recreation, and/or public transportation.
Port District	Title 53 RCW	1911	Acquire, construct, maintain, operate, develop, and regulate system of harbor improvements and related facilities. Acquire and construct toll bridges, tunnels, and beltline railways. Establish industrial development districts.
Port District - Industrial Development District	Ch. 53.25 RCW	1939	Provide funding for developing or redeveloping marginal area properties.
Public Facilities District	Ch. 36.100 RCW (counties), Ch. 35.57 RCW (cities/towns)	1988 (counties), 1999 (cities/towns)	Acquire, construct, and operate sports facilities, entertainment facilities, convention facilities or regional centers and related parking facilities.
Public Stadium Authority	Ch. 36.102 RCW	1997	Develop a stadium and exhibition center.
Public Waterway District	Ch. 91.08 RCW	1911	Provide funding for owners of lands bordering upon/accessible to any navigable water to improve waterways.
River and Harbor Improvement District	Ch. 88.32 RCW	1903	Fund any river, lake, canal, or harbor improvement proposed by the federal government.

Environmental Protection Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Air Pollution Control Authority	Ch. 70A.15 RCW	1957, 1967	Statewide program of air pollution prevention and control.
Aquifer Protection Area	Ch. 36.36 RCW	1985	Fund the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of subterranean water.
Conservation District	Ch. 89.08 RCW	1939	Conserve soil resources, prevent floodwater and sediment damage.
Lake and Beach Management District	Ch. 36.61 RCW; RCW 35.21.403	1986 (lakes), 2008 (beaches)	Improve and maintain lakes and beaches.
Metropolitan Municipal Corporation	Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch. 36.56 RCW (assumption of powers)	1957	Provide essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies, including water pollution abatement. Other authorized responsibilities include providing water supply, public transportation, garbage disposal, parks and recreation, and/or comprehensive planning services.
Shellfish Protection District - "Clean Water District"	Ch. 90.72 RCW	1985	Protect shellfish industry from pollution.

Fire Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Fire Protection District	Title 52 RCW	1933	Eliminate fire hazards and protect life and property outside cities/towns, except where cities/towns have annexed.
Regional Fire Protection Service Authority	Ch. 52.26 RCW	2004	Provide regional fire protection service delivery, enhanced funding options, and new authority to address critical fire protection projects and emergency services.

Library Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Intercounty Rural Library District	RCW 27.12.090	1947	Provide library service throughout multiple counties.
Island Library District	RCW 27.12.400 - .450	1982	Provide library service for all areas outside of incorporated cities and towns on a single island only.
Library Capital Facility Area	Ch. 27.15 RCW	1995	Provide funding for construction of capital library facilities.
Regional Library	RCW 27.12.080	1941	Provide library services to two or more counties or other governmental units through interlocal contract.
Rural County Library District	RCW 27.12.040 - .070	1941	Establish library district by joint action of two or more counties.
Rural Partial Library District	RCW 27.12.470	1993	Provide library services in a portion of the unincorporated area of a county.

Park and Recreation Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Metropolitan Park District	Ch. 35.61 RCW	1907	Manage, control, improve, maintain, and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities.
Metropolitan Municipal Corporation	Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch. 36.56 RCW (assumption of powers)	1957	Provide essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies, including providing parks and parkways. Other authorized responsibilities include water pollution abatement and providing water supply, public transportation, garbage disposal, and/or comprehensive planning services.
Park and Recreation District	Ch. 36.69 RCW	1957	Provide leisure time activities, facilities, and recreational facilities.
Park and Recreation Service Area	RCW 36.68.400 - .620	1963	Finance, acquire, construct, improve, maintain, or operate any park, senior citizen activities center, zoo, aquarium, or recreational facility.
Joint Park and Recreation District	RCW 36.69.420 - .460	1979	Enable park and recreation district in two or more counties.
Irrigation and Rehabilitation District	Ch. 87.84 RCW	1961	Convert certain irrigation districts to further recreational potential of larger lakes; improve inland lakes and shorelines.

Public Health and Hospital Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Cemetery District	RCW 68.52.090 - .330	1947	Acquire, establish, maintain, manage, improve, and operate cemeteries.
Emergency Medical Service District	RCW 36.32.480	1979	Provide and fund emergency medical services.
Health District	Ch. 70.46 RCW	1945	Provide health services.
Mosquito Control District	Ch. 17.28 RCW	1957	Abate or exterminate mosquitoes.
Public Hospital Capital Facility Area	Ch. 70.265 RCW	2009	Provide funding for public hospital capital facilities or capital health care facilities for counties composed entirely of islands that receive medical services from a public hospital district but are not annexed to a hospital district.
Public Hospital District	Ch. 70.44 RCW	1945	Own and operate hospitals and other health care facilities; provide hospital and other health care services.
Rural Public Hospital District	RCW 70.44.450 - .460	1992	Hospital district whose geographic boundaries do not include a city with a population greater than 50,000.
Urban Emergency Medical Service District	RCW 35.21.762	1994	Provide emergency medical services and funding for city or town located in two counties.

Public Housing Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Public Housing Authority	Ch. 35.82 RCW	1939	Provide housing for low-income persons.
Joint City-County Housing Authority	RCW 35.82.300	1980	Housing authority created by one or more counties and any city or cities within any of those counties or in another county or counties.

School Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
School District	Ch. 28A.315 RCW	1889	Establish, operate, and manage schools.
Joint School District	Ch. 28A.323 RCW	1897	Establish, operate, and manage schools in an area that lies in more than one county

Transportation Districts

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
City Transportation Authority (Monorail)	Ch. 35.95A RCW	2002	Construct and operate public monorail transportation system.
County Airport District	RCW 14.08.290 - .330	1945	Establish and operate airports or other air navigational facilities.
County Ferry District	RCW 36.54.110 - .200	2003	Provide passenger-only ferry service in all or part of a county.
County Public Transportation Authority	Ch. 36.57 RCW	1974	Provide public transportation within a single county and all its cities and towns.
County Rail District	Ch. 36.60 RCW	1983	Provide and fund improved freight rail and passenger rail service.
County Road District	RCW 36.75.060	1889	Provide revenue to establish, lay out, construct, alter, repair, improve, and maintain county roads.
Metropolitan Municipal Corporation	Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch. 36.56 RCW (assumption of powers)	1957	Provide essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies, including providing public transportation. Other authorized responsibilities include water pollution abatement and providing water supply, garbage disposal, parks and recreation, and/or comprehensive planning services.
Public Transportation Benefit Area	Ch. 36.57A RCW	1975	Provide public transportation services with defined area.
Regional Transit Authority	Ch. 81.112 RCW	1992	Develop and operate a high capacity transit system for two or more contiguous counties each over 400,000 population (Puget Sound).
Road and Bridge Service District	Ch. 36.83 RCW	1983	Improve or provide capital funding for state highway improvements that a county or road district has the authority to provide.
Transportation Benefit District	Ch. 36.73 RCW (general); Ch. 36.74 RCW (assumption of powers); RCW 35.21.225 (cities)	1989	Fund specific transportation projects identified in a local, state, or regional transportation plan.
Regional Transportation Investment District	Ch. 36.120 RCW	2002	Provide 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.
Unincorporated Transportation Benefit Area	RCW 36.57.100 - .110	1975	Provide transportation services to unincorporated areas of a county.

Utility Districts (Water, Sewer, Electricity, Etc.)

District Type	Enabling Statute	Year Created	Purpose
Irrigation District	Ch. 87.03 RCW	1890	Provide irrigation, develop electrical generating facilities, purchase and sell electricity, provide street lighting, provide sewer and domestic water systems.
Legal Authority (Hydroelectric) - Irrigation Districts	RCW 87.03.825 - .840	1983	Enable cooperative development of hydroelectric generating resources by cities, towns, irrigation districts, and public utility districts.
Metropolitan Municipal Corporation	Ch. 35.58 RCW; Ch. 36.56 RCW (assumption of powers)	1957	Provide essential services in metropolitan areas not adequately provided by existing agencies, including providing water supply and garbage disposal. Other authorized responsibilities include water pollution abatement and providing parks and recreation, public transportation, and/or comprehensive planning services.
Operating Agency (Electricity Generation and Distribution)	Ch. 43.52 RCW	1981	Generate, produce, transmit, deliver, exchange, purchase, or sell electric energy.
Public Utility District	Title 54 RCW	1931	Conserve water and power resources; supply public utility service including water, electricity, sewer, and telecommunications.
Sewerage Improvement District (Diking, Drainage, and Sewerage Improvement District)	Ch. 85.08 RCW; Ch. 85.15 RCW; RCW 57.04.120 (districts in a county of 40,000 to 70,000 population); RCW 57.04.130 (districts converted to water-sewer districts)	1923	Plan, construct, and operate facilities to collect, treat, and dispose of sanitary, industrial, and other sewage.
Solid Waste Collection District	Ch. 36.58A RCW	1971	Mandatory collection of solid waste in unincorporated county.
Solid Waste Disposal District	RCW 36.58.100 - .150	1982	Provides for and funds solid waste disposal in counties under 1 million.
Television Reception Improvement District	Ch. 36.95 RCW	1971	Construct, maintain, and operate television and FM radio translator stations.
Water-Sewer District (water-sewer district, water district, sewer district)	Title 57 RCW	1913 (water), 1941 (sewer), 1971 (consolidated)	Furnish water supply and/or wastewater collection; purchase and maintain firefighting equipment; provide street lighting.

Last Modified: April 02, 2021

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