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Advisory Boards and Commissions

This page provides a basic overview of local government advisory boards, task forces, commissions, and committees in Washington State, including relevant statutes and local examples.

What Are Advisory Boards and Commissions?

Cities and counties appoint citizen boards, commissions, task forces, and committees to advise their legislative bodies on a wide range of policy issues.

Some of these boards are required for a specific purpose under state law, such as a building code board of appeals. Other boards and commissions might be authorized by state law, but local governing bodies can decide if they want to create these boards or commissions.

Local governments can also voluntarily create other types of committees, boards, or task forces. These can include permanent or “standing” advisory committees such as a design review board, as well as temporary “ad hoc” advisory boards which are convened for a limited period of rime to consider specific issues.

Advisory boards and commissions provide many benefits to local government decision-making processes by studying issues, plans, and policies, making planning processes more inclusive, and facilitating communication between elected officials and the community.

Statutes Related to Boards and Commissions

Council-Manager Cities

  • RCW 35.18.060 – The council may provide for the appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, of the city planning commission and other advisory citizens' committees, commissions, and boards that advise the city council.
  • RCW 35A.13.080 – The council may provide for the appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, of a city planning commission and other advisory citizens' committees, commissions, and boards that advise the city council.

Cities/Towns Generally

Counties

Special Purpose Districts

Are Advisory Boards Subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)?

It depends.

The Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) applies to "governing bodies" of public agencies, which are defined to include "any committee thereof when the committee acts on behalf of the governing body, conducts hearings, or takes testimony or public comment." See RCW 42.30.020(2).

An advisory board is "acting on behalf" of the governing body when it exercises actual or de facto decision-making authority. This happens when the board is formally given decision-making authority or when its governing body, routinely or without discussion, approves the committee’s recommendations.

However, the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that committees that serve purely advisory functions are not subject to the OPMA. See Citizens Alliance v. San Juan County (2015).

Can Youth Participate on Advisory Boards?

To increase youth participation in local government and hear the youth perspective on issues, some jurisdictions have established dedicated youth commissions and/or provided seats for youth members on other advisory boards.

For examples, see our page Youth Participation in Local Government.

Examples of Policies and Codes

The examples below include ordinances, codes, manuals, and policies regarding advisory boards and commissions, including their purpose, appointment, terms, responsibilities, and relationship with councils/commissions.

Cities and Towns

Counties

Special Purpose Districts

  • Parks Tacoma (2025) – Establishes a community advisory council

Examples of Board and Commission Webpages

Many jurisdictions offer webpages that list their boards and commissions and include information about their functions, membership, meeting times, agendas, and meeting packets.

Cities and Towns

Counties

Special Purpose Districts


Last Modified: October 28, 2026