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Road Vacation
Road (Right-of-Way) Vacations
A road (right-of-way) vacation (abandonment) is the legal process where a local government relinquishes its interest in a public right-of-way, such as a street, alley, or road, returning the land to private ownership. The main purpose is to abandon roads that are no longer needed for public use, thereby removing maintenance liabilities, facilitating development, and clearing land titles. In Washington state, this process is governed by RCW 36.87 Roads and Bridges – Vacation.
Petition for a Road Vacation
Road Vacation - FAQ's
- Who can petition to vacate a County road? Per RCW 36.87.020, Owners of the majority of the frontage on any county road or portion thereof may petition the county legislative authority to vacate and abandon the same or any portion thereof.
- What is the first step in vacating a county road? You should consult with the Transportation Department and ask for the person responsible for processing road vacations. He or she will consult with the petitioner on the facts of the road and the feasibility of moving forward.
- If you decide to move forward with the vacation process after the first consultation, you will need to submit three items.
- Signed Petition – By a majority of the adjacent landowners.
- Legible Map – Needs to clearly define the area proposed for vacation.
- Vacation Fee – Varies from year to year and is nonrefundable. Please call for current fee.
- How long does the vacation process take? A typical vacation process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. It can take significantly longer, depending on the circumstances.
- Who gets the vacated property? The vacated property goes back to the property from which it came from.