Town Structure

• Fourth Class Municipality 
• Incorporated 1909

Location

Friday Harbor is located midway along the eastern shore of San Juan Island--the second largest in a chain of 172 islands in the northernmost stretch of Puget Sound situated between Canada's Vancouver Island and the Washington State mainland.

Geography/Zoning

The town encompasses 1.23 square miles or 787 acres. Over 50% of the town's area is developed.

Government

Friday Harbor is the seat of San Juan County government and is the only incorporated town in the county. The Town of Friday Harbor operates as a fourth class municipal corporation under the Revised Code of Washington, Section 35.  It has a Mayor/Council, non-partisan form of government. Voters elect the mayor and five council members to four-year terms. All elected officials represent the community at large rather than individual districts or areas of town.

Revenue Sources

The Town derives revenue primarily from a 1% sales tax, real estate and personal property taxes, and portions of various taxes levied by the state such as gasoline, liquor, and hotel/motel taxes. Sales tax and real estate and personal property tax monies are earmarked for the Town's "current fund" which finances general government services. State-shared revenues are dedicated to a particular use or fund. User fees support the operation of the Town's utilities.