# RCW 39.36.020: RCW 39.36.020: Limitation of indebtedness prescribed > Washington · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S020 ## Section - **Citation:** RCW 39.36.020 - **Heading:** RCW 39.36.020: Limitation of indebtedness prescribed - **Jurisdiction:** Washington - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Washington Code / Title 84 / Chapter 36 / Section 020 ## Text (1) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law or in subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this section, no taxing district shall for any purpose become indebted in any manner to an amount exceeding three-eighths of one percent of the value of the taxable property in such taxing district without the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election to be held for that purpose, nor in cases requiring such assent shall the total indebtedness incurred at any time exceed one and one-fourth percent on the value of the taxable property therein. (2)(a)(i) Public hospital districts are limited to an indebtedness amount not exceeding three-fourths of one percent of the value of the taxable property in such public hospital districts without the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election held for that purpose. (ii) Counties, cities, and towns are limited to an indebtedness amount not exceeding one and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property in such counties, cities, or towns without the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election held for that purpose. (b) In cases requiring such assent counties, cities, towns, and public hospital districts are limited to a total indebtedness of two and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property therein. However, any county that has assumed the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation under chapter 36.56 RCW may become indebted to a larger amount for its authorized metropolitan functions, as provided under chapter 35.58 RCW, but not exceeding an additional three-fourths of one percent of the value of the taxable property in the county without the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election held for that purpose, and in cases requiring such assent not exceeding an additional two and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property in the county. (3) School districts are limited to an indebtedness amount not exceeding three-eighths of one percent of the value of the taxable property in such district without the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election held for that purpose. In cases requiring such assent school districts are limited to a total indebtedness of two and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property therein. (4) No part of the indebtedness allowed in this chapter shall be incurred for any purpose other than strictly county, city, town, school district, township, port district, metropolitan park district, or other municipal purposes: PROVIDED, That a city or town, with such assent, may become indebted to a larger amount, but not exceeding two and one-half percent additional, determined as herein provided, for supplying such city or town with water, artificial light, and sewers, when the works for supplying such water, light, and sewers shall be owned and controlled by the city or town; and a city or town, with such assent, may become indebted to a larger amount, but not exceeding two and one-half percent additional for acquiring or developing open space, park facilities, and capital facilities associated with economic development: PROVIDED FURTHER, That any school district may become indebted to a larger amount but not exceeding two and one-half percent additional for capital outlays. (5) Such indebtedness may be authorized in any total amount in one or more propositions and the amount of such authorization may exceed the amount of indebtedness which could then lawfully be incurred. Such indebtedness may be incurred in one or more series of bonds from time to time out of such authorization but at no time shall the total general indebtedness of any taxing district exceed the above limitation. The term "value of the taxable property" as used in this section shall have the meaning set forth in RCW 39.36.015 . ## Nearby sections - [RCW 39.36.015 RCW 39.36.015: "Value of the taxable property" defined.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S015.md) - [RCW 39.36.020 RCW 39.36.020: Limitation of indebtedness prescribed.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S020.md) - [RCW 39.36.050 RCW 39.36.050: Ballot proposition authorizing indebtedness—Excess property tax levies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S050.md) - [RCW 39.36.060 RCW 39.36.060: Chapter not applicable to loan agreements under chapter 39.69 RCW.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S060.md) - [RCW 84.36.005 RCW 84.36.005: Property subject to taxation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S005.md) - [RCW 84.36.010 RCW 84.36.010: Public, certain public-private and tribal property exempt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S010.md) - [RCW 84.36.012 RCW 84.36.012: Tribal property exemption—Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S012.md) - [RCW 84.36.030 RCW 84.36.030: Property used for character building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services—Camp facilities—Veteran or relief organization owned property—Property of nonprofit organizations that issue debt for student loans or that are guarantee agencies.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S030.md) - [RCW 84.36.031 RCW 84.36.031: Clarification of exemption in RCW 84.36.030.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S031.md) - [RCW 84.36.032 RCW 84.36.032: Administrative offices of nonprofit religious organizations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S032.md) - [RCW 84.36.035 RCW 84.36.035: Property used by qualifying blood, tissue, or blood and tissue banks.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S035.md) - [RCW 84.36.037 RCW 84.36.037: Nonprofit organization property connected with operation of public assembly hall or meeting place.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S037.md) - [RCW 84.36.040 RCW 84.36.040: Nonprofit child day care centers, libraries, orphanages, homes or hospitals for the sick or infirm, outpatient dialysis facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S040.md) - [RCW 84.36.041 RCW 84.36.041: Nonprofit homes for the aging.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S041.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T84_C36_S020. 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