How Everett Handles Accessory Structures: A Practical Guide

Everett maintains 111 local ordinances across all categories, and 9 of those deal specifically with accessory structures. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Everett falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

ADU Rules

Everett allows two ADUs per single-family lot per HB 1337. As the Snohomish County seat, Everett prioritizes affordable housing strategies including ADU development near transit and Boeing employment centers.

Key details: ADUs Allowed: 2 per lot (HB 1337). Max Size: 1,000 sq ft. Transit: Sounder, Swift BRT. Housing Plan: ADUs prioritized.

Unpermitted ADU: stop-work order, retroactive permit fees. Safety violations: code compliance action.

Everett is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu rules. That said, there are still limits.

Shed Rules

Everett allows small sheds without permits (typically under 200 sq ft). Larger structures need building permits. Setback requirements apply.

Key details: No Permit: Under 200 sq ft typical. Permit: Over threshold. Setbacks: Per zoning code. Habitation: Prohibited.

Unpermitted structure: retroactive permit with penalty. Non-compliant setback: modification or removal.

Everett is more permissive than most cities when it comes to shed rules. That said, there are still limits.

Garage Conversions

WA HB 1337 facilitates garage conversions as ADUs. Everett must allow ADUs, making garage conversions more feasible. Building permits required.

Key details: Permit: Building permit required. Parking: No replacement near transit. State Law: HB 1337 facilitates ADUs. HOA: Limited ability to prohibit.

Unpermitted conversion: building code enforcement. Must bring to code or restore. Safety violations: immediate correction.

The rules around garage conversions in Everett lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Carport Rules

Everett requires permits for carport construction. Setback requirements, height limits, and lot coverage maximums apply.

Key details: Permit: Required. Side Setback: 3 to 5 feet typical. Lot Coverage: Counts toward maximum. HOA: May restrict or prohibit.

Unpermitted carports: stop-work orders, required removal or retroactive permitting with penalty fees. Fines $200 to $1,000.

Tiny Homes

Everett regulates tiny homes differently based on whether they are on a permanent foundation or on wheels. Zoning and minimum square footage requirements apply.

Key details: Foundation: Treated as dwelling. On Wheels: RV classification typically. Min Size: 400 to 800 sq ft varies. ADU Path: May allow as secondary.

Unpermitted dwellings: removal or retroactive permitting. Zoning violations: fines and required relocation. Occupancy without certificate: prohibited.

ADU Impact Fees

Everett's ADU impact fees are capped by Washington RCW 36.70A.696, which limits any ADU impact fee to 50 percent of the single-family rate. Everett's Transportation Impact Fee program under EMC Title 19 follows this cap. School and park impact fees in Everett are limited, and ADU applicants pay standard plan-review and building-permit fees plus utility connection charges only if new service is required.

Key details: State Cap: 50% of SFR (RCW 36.70A.696). Transportation Fee: 50% of SFR rate. School Impact Fee: Not collected (Everett SD). Building Permit: Per WA fee schedule. Electrical Permit: WA L&I (not city).

Failure to pay required permit and connection fees blocks permit issuance and inspection scheduling. Construction without paid permits triggers civil penalties under EMC Title 1.20 of up to $500 per day, double permit fees on retroactive legalization, and possible utility service refusal until charges are paid.

The rules around adu impact fees in Everett lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Permits

Everett permits accessory dwelling units under Title 19 of the Everett Municipal Code (Zoning), as amended by Ordinance 3963-23 to align with Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.681). Up to two ADUs are allowed per single-family lot inside Everett's urban growth area. Building permits are filed through the city's Development Services portal and the regional MyBuildingPermit.com system.

Key details: Code Section: EMC Title 19, Ord. 3963-23. ADUs Per Lot: Up to 2 (per HB 1337). Detached ADU Max: 800 sq ft. Attached ADU Max: 50% of primary or 800 sq ft. State Law: RCW 36.70A.681.

Building an ADU without a permit is a violation of EMC Title 19 and the adopted building code. Civil penalties are assessed under EMC Title 1.20 (Civil Code Enforcement), generally up to $500 per day per violation, plus double permit fees on retroactive legalization. The city may issue stop-work orders, require demolition of unpermitted work, and refuse final occupancy. Occupying an ADU without final inspection is a separate violation.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Everett does not require owner-occupancy on properties with an accessory dwelling unit. Ordinance 3963-23 removed the prior owner-occupancy mandate from EMC Title 19, and Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.683) prohibits Growth Management Act cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs. Owners may rent both the primary dwelling and the ADU to separate tenants.

Key details: Owner-Occupancy: Not required. Removed By: Ord. 3963-23. State Preemption: RCW 36.70A.683. Both Units Rentable: Yes. HOA Rules: May still apply privately.

There is no owner-occupancy violation under Everett code as of Ordinance 3963-23. Private HOA enforcement is a civil matter, not a city enforcement issue. If a city official claims an owner-occupancy violation, the property owner can point to the amended EMC Title 19 and RCW 36.70A.683, which preempts any such requirement.

The rules around adu owner occupancy in Everett lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Everett allows long-term rental of ADUs without restriction. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated separately under Ordinance 4102-25 (effective July 8, 2025), which requires a city business license and STR registration. Both the primary dwelling and the ADU may be rented under long-term leases at the same time, with standard landlord-tenant duties under RCW 59.18.

Key details: Long-Term Rental: Unrestricted. Short-Term Rental: License + registration (Ord. 4102-25). STR Insurance: $1M (RCW 64.37). Rent Control: Preempted (RCW 35.21.830). Landlord-Tenant Law: RCW 59.18.

Operating an unregistered short-term rental triggers civil penalties under Ordinance 4102-25 and back-tax assessment by the Washington Department of Revenue. Long-term rental violations (habitability, illegal eviction) are enforced under RCW 59.18. Renting an ADU that lacks a final occupancy sign-off is a separate EMC Title 1.20 violation with daily fines up to $500.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Everett gives residents more room on accessory structures. 5 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Everett's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.