Background of the King County Board of Health

Legal background

The Metropolitan King County Council established the King County Board of Health in accordance with Washington State law (RCW 70.05.035). King County Code (Chapter 2.35) creates the King County Board of Health as a federated body with an equal number of non-elected and elected officials.

Board composition

The Board of Health is constituted as a federated body, made up of 16 voting members and 8 alternates including 3 King County Councilmembers and 1 alternate, 3 Seattle City Councilmembers and 1 alternate, 2 Sound Cities Association members and 2 alternates, 1 member and 1 alternate selected by the American Indian Health Commission, and 7 members and 3 alternates representing public health professionals, consumers of public health, and community stakeholders.

Board functions

The functions of the Board are to set county-wide public health policy, enact and enforce local public health regulations, and carry out other duties of local boards of health specified in state law. These duties, which are enumerated in RCW 70.05.060, include enforcing state public health statutes, preventing and controlling the spread of infectious disease, abating nuisances and establishing fee schedules for licenses, permits, and other services.

Board meetings

The regular meeting time of the Board of Health is the third Thursday of each month from 1 pm. The meeting location is at the Metropolitan King County Council Chambers unless otherwise specified.