In most counties in Washington State, boards of commissioners act as the legislative and chief administrative authority for the county.  These boards have at least three members, with counties that have more than 300,000 people allowed to increase the number of commissioners to five.  In the seven counties that have adopted a home rule charter, county councils exercise the legislative authority within the county. 

However denominated, the legislative authority of each county is required to hold regular meetings at the county seat to transact county business.  A regular meeting is a reoccurring meeting held in accordance with a schedule declared by statute or rule.  The legislative authority may also hold a joint regular meeting with another county legislative authority at either of the county seats when the agenda is of mutual interest to the counties. 

County legislative authorities are also allowed to hold a regular meeting outside of the county seat at another location in the county when the legislative authority determines that doing so will support greater citizen engagement with county government.  This can occur no more than four times a year, and notice of the meeting must be provided at least 30 days prior to the meeting on the county's website, in a newspaper of general circulation, and via email to any county resident who has asked to receive notice by email.

A county legislative authority may hold up to one regular meeting a month at another location within the county when the legislative authority determines that doing so will support greater citizen engagement with county government.