Everett's Environmental Rules: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles environmental rules a little differently. In Everett, Washington, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Stormwater Management
Everett requires stormwater drainage review for any project adding 2,000+ square feet of new or replaced hard surface, disturbing 7,000+ square feet, or converting large areas of vegetation, under the city's surface and stormwater drainage chapter.
Key details: Review trigger: 2,000+ sq ft new/replaced hard surface. Review trigger: 7,000+ sq ft land disturbance. Design standard: DOE Stormwater Manual, Western WA. Reviewing authority: City public works director. Exception: Combined sewer area follows Ch. 14.08.
The public works director may issue enforcement orders, stop-work orders, and impose inspection fees; noncompliance can lead to permit suspension or revocation and business license revocation under EMC 14.28.150.
Flood Zones
Everett requires a floodplain development permit before any construction or fill begins in a mapped special flood hazard area, administered by the city planning director under Snohomish County's FEMA flood maps.
Key details: Permit trigger: Any construction, fill, or alteration. Administered by: Planning director as floodplain administrator. Maps used: FEMA FIS/FIRM for Snohomish County. Enforcement: EMC Chapter 1.20 code enforcement.
Building without a floodplain development permit is a code violation enforced under EMC Chapter 1.20; the floodplain administrator can deny or condition permits and require elevation certificates before construction proceeds.
Boat Dock Permits
Outside Everett's shoreline master program area, new docks are capped at 4 feet wide, 25 feet long and 5 feet high, with only one dock permitted per residential lot.
Key details: Max width: 4 feet. Max length: 25 feet. Max height (above OHWM): 5 feet. Per residential lot: 1 dock maximum.
Building an oversized dock, adding covered moorage, or skipping the required WDFW/Army Corps permit conditions violates EMC 19.37.050(B)(5) and is subject to critical-area restoration and enforcement requirements under Chapter 19.37 EMC.
Erosion Control
Everett requires a city-approved grading plan before any site work disturbs natural features, under Everett Municipal Code Section 19.26.080, and holds erosion-control plans to city standards and the city's drainage ordinance.
Key details: Plan required: Grading plan before site disturbance. Approval: City engineer sign-off required. Erosion control: Must meet city drainage ordinance. Critical areas: Clearing may be barred pre-permit. Debris: No burial in critical areas.
Grading without an approved plan is enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC, which authorizes stop-work orders and a default civil penalty of $250 per violation per day.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved residential structures in Everett's AE and A1-30 flood zones must elevate the lowest floor at least one foot above the base flood elevation, per the city's flood damage prevention code.
Key details: Freeboard: 1 foot above base flood elevation. Applies to: New construction, substantial improvements. Nonresidential option: 1 ft above BFE or ASCE 24. No BFE available: 2 feet above highest adjacent grade.
Building below the required freeboard elevation without a certified elevation certificate violates EMC 19.30.090 and can block occupancy permits, flood insurance eligibility, and future federal disaster assistance for the property.
The Bottom Line
Everett's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Everett is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Everett can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.