References
Specifc Law Reference: Title 52
Title 52 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) provides the laws pertaining to Fire Districts. In 2004, RCW 52.26 was adopted by the State Legislature and added to Title 52 which allows for the formation and operation of Regional Fire Authorities (RFA). The RFA, in effect, operates like a fire district and thus has been codified under the majority of the laws applicable to fire districts. There are, however, differences between an RFA and a fire district in areas which will continue to be identified over the upcoming years related to legislative updates.RCW 52.26 provides legal descriptions of the process related to the formation of the Planning Committee and its function (52.26.030 and .040); a funding model related to taxation or the benefit charge (52.26.050 and others within 52.26); organization of the governing board (52.26.080); the powers of the governing board (52.26.090); and many other pertinent sections related to operations of the RFA.
RFA Plans
North County RFA PlanRenton RFA
South Beach RFA Plan
South Snohomish RFA Plan
South Whatcom RFA PLAN
West Benton RFA Plan
West Thurston RFA Plan
RFA Sample Documents
Sample Ballot Language B
Sample Communication Plan
Sample Interlocal Agreement
Sample Resolution Ballot Language A
Sample RFA Work Plan
Sample Steering Committee Work Product
Sample Vision Document
RCW 52.26
- Chapter 52.26 RCW: Regional Fire Protection Service Authorities
- RCW 52.26.020: Definitions
- RCW 52.26.030: Planning committee—Formation—Powers
- RCW 52.26.040: Planning committee—Formulation of service plan—Competition with private ambulance service
- RCW 52.26.050: Service plan—Taxes and benefit charges
- RCW 52.26.060: Service plan—Submission to voters
- RCW 52.26.070: Service authority—Formation—Challenges
- RCW 52.26.080: Organization and composition of governing board—Commissioner positions, districts
- RCW 52.26.090: Powers of governing board
- RCW 52.26.100: Transfer of responsibilities and employees to authority—Civil service system
- RCW 52.26.110: Withdrawal, reannexation of territory
- RCW 52.26.120: Dissolution of fire protection district—Election—Transfer of responsibilities
- RCW 52.26.130: Debt—Interlocal contracts—General obligation bonds
- RCW 52.26.140: Levy of taxes—Levies authorized by special election—Indebtedness—Definition
- RCW 52.26.150: Levy of taxes—To be made by county or counties where authority is located
- RCW 52.26.160: Taxation of lands lying within authority and forest protection assessment area
- RCW 52.26.170: Collection of taxes
- RCW 52.26.180: Benefit charges—Exemptions—Annual review—Definitions
- RCW 52.26.190: Benefit charges—Exemptions
- RCW 52.26.200: Benefit charges—Resolution—County assessor's duties
- RCW 52.26.210: Benefit charges—Administration and collection by county treasurer
- RCW 52.26.220: Benefit charges—Submission to voters—Renewal
- RCW 52.26.230: Benefit charges—Establishment—Public hearings—Notice to property owners
- RCW 52.26.240: Benefit charges—Limitation on imposition of property tax
- RCW 52.26.250: Benefit charges—Complaints—Review board
- RCW 52.26.260: Benefit charges—Model resolution—Assistance by Washington Fire Commissioners Association
- RCW 52.26.270: Benefit charges—Additional exemption
- RCW 52.26.280: Civil service—When authorized or required
- RCW 52.26.290: Annexation of territory
- RCW 52.26.300: Annexation of fire protection jurisdiction within reasonable proximity to authority
- RCW 52.26.310: Biennial budget authority