The department shall cause all unplatted state lands, within the limits of any incorporated city or town, or within two miles of the boundary thereof, where the valuation of such lands is found by appraisement to exceed one hundred dollars per acre, to be platted into lots and blocks, of not more than five acres in a block, before the same are offered for sale, and not more than one block shall be offered for sale in one parcel. The department may designate or describe any such plat by name, or numeral, or as an addition to such city or town, and, upon the filing of any such plat, it shall be sufficient to describe the lands, or any portion thereof, embraced in such plat, according to the designation prescribed by the department. Such plats shall be made in duplicate, and when properly authenticated by the department, one copy thereof shall be filed in the office of the department and one copy in the office of the county auditor in which the lands are situated, and the auditor shall receive and file such plats without compensation or fees and make record thereof in the same manner as required by law for the filing and recording of other plats in the auditor’s office.

In selling lands subject to the provisions of Article 16, section 4, of the state Constitution, the department will be permitted to sell the land within the required land subdivision without being required to complete the construction of streets, utilities, and such similar things as may be required by any local government entity in the instance of the platting of private or other property within their area of jurisdiction. However, no construction will be permitted on lands so sold until the purchaser or purchasers collectively comply with all of the normal requirements for platting.

Intent—2003 c 334: See note following RCW 79.02.010.

Platting: State Constitution Art. 16 § 4.

Recording—Duties of county auditor: Chapter 65.04 RCW.