Shed permit rules in Snohomish County, WA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In unincorporated Snohomish County a one-story detached tool or storage shed no larger than 200 square feet with sidewalls up to 10 feet needs no building permit, but it must sit 20 feet from other buildings and property lines.
SCC 30.50.103 exempts from building permits one-story detached accessory structures not used for human habitation, such as tool and storage sheds, when floor area does not exceed 200 square feet and sidewalls do not exceed 10 feet measured from grade average. Usable roof-covered area without walls counts toward floor area, and a storage loft may not exceed one-third of the footprint. The exempt structure must be set back 20 feet from all other buildings, structures, and property lines. Heating systems are not permitted in permit-exempt accessory structures. Permit exemption does not waive zoning setbacks, critical-area, or fire rules.
A shed built without a required permit, or one placed inside required setbacks, is a code violation; the county may order relocation, removal, or after-the-fact permitting with civil penalties.
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