AGO Opinion Topics: CITIES RIGHT REGULATE PLATTING AND SUBDIVIDING LAND

1. Incorporated cities may regulate the platting and subdividing of two, three or four lots providing the lot contains no dedication of a public street or highway, under Section 4 of the Act of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Washington, approved Nov. 5, 1881 (RCW 58.12.140) notwithstanding the provisions of Ch. 186, Laws of 1937, as amended (chapter 58.16 RCW).  2. A city may and must regulate the platting and subdividing of two or more lots or tracts where the plat contains a dedication of any part thereof as a public street or highway under the provisions of Ch. 186, Laws of 1937, as amended (chapter 58.16 RCW).  3. A city may, pursuant to the Act of Nov. 5, 1881, require an owner who desires to plat land containing less than five lots without a dedication of a public highway or street to present a proposed plot plan showing the proposed rearrangement of his property for approval by the city before the sale of such land may be consummated.   Construing Act of Nov. 5, 1881 (RCW 58.12.140) and Ch. 186, Laws of 1937 (chapter 58.16 RCW).