by Jason Giesler, Law Library Intern
According to the 2002 census there are 87,525 local governments in the United States. Each local government frequently has its own statutes, courts, and administrative rules. Municipal and county governments are often the primary source for many areas of law, including zoning and land use. Moreover, local governments frequently provide supplementary rules in areas that are primarily regulated at the state and national level.
The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) provides a free online database that includes information from municipal and county governments located throughout the state of Washington. The MRSC main page provides links to relevant news stories concerning local governments. The MRSC site also provides links to city and county codes, local government legal topics, and proceedings from meetings of the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys. Additionally, the site provides several links relevant to state level laws including a link to the RCWs and WACs and a link to selected state appellate court decisions.
Perusing the MRSC city and county code page reveals many interesting local statutes. For example, under the City of Forks Municipal Code 6.15.010, it is unlawful to allow livestock to escape and roam city streets. More importantly, municipal codes can provide a cause of action where one may not exist at the state or local level. For example, prior to the recent changes in the Washington Law Against Discrimination, the City of Seattle prohibited employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in Seattle Municipal Code Section 14.04.020. This protection helped the plaintiff in Sheffield v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber bring an employment discrimination claim prior to time that sexual orientation was included as a protected status under state law.
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