Garage conversion rules in Snohomish County, WA — sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions — govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Converting a garage into habitable space in unincorporated Snohomish County is treated as creating an accessory dwelling unit and must meet SCC 30.28.010 ADU standards, including the 1,200-square-foot cap, water/sewer capacity, and off-street parking.
There is no separate 'garage conversion' allowance; adding a kitchen and living space to a garage creates an ADU subject to SCC 30.28.010. The unit must be on the same lot as the principal single-family, single-family-attached, or duplex dwelling, may not exceed 1,200 square feet of floor area, and must show physical and legal access to potable water plus adequate sewer or septic capacity. Off-street parking must comply with chapter 30.26 SCC. A building permit and inspections are required to convert the space to habitable use, and the lost garage parking may need to be replaced. Cities in the county apply their own conversion rules.
An unpermitted garage conversion used as a dwelling is a code violation; the county may require permits, inspections, or reversion to non-habitable use, with civil penalties for continuing violations.
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