Home Business in Everett, WA

If you live in Everett or are thinking about moving there, home business are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Everett has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of home business, and some of them might surprise you.

Signage Rules

Everett Municipal Code 19.13.220(A)(12) bans signs of any kind for a home occupation, tying into the section's broader requirement that the business give no outward appearance of commercial activity from the street.

Key details: Signs permitted: None, for any home occupation. Related requirement: No outward business appearance, EMC 19.13.220(A)(5). Registration still required: City treasurer's office, B&O tax. Default penalty: $250/violation/day, Ch. 1.20 EMC.

Posting a sign for a home occupation, even a small window sign or yard sign naming the business, is a violation of EMC 19.13.220(A)(12) enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC. A code enforcement officer can order the sign removed; failure to comply by the deadline in the notice and order accrues a $250-per-violation, per-day civil penalty, doubling to $500 per day for a repeat violator, with appeal rights to the hearing examiner and then Snohomish County Superior Court.

This is one of the stricter rules in Everett's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Everett allows home occupations by right in any residential zone under Everett Municipal Code 19.13.220, capped at 25 percent of the home's floor area or 600 square feet, run only by the resident, with no business appearance from outside, plus mandatory city business registration.

Key details: Zones allowed: Any residential zone, by right. Size cap: 25% of floor area or 600 sq ft. Staffing: Resident occupant only, no hired staff. Registration: City treasurer's office, B&O tax applies. Classes/instruction: Max 5 students, 20 hrs/week.

Operating without registering with the city treasurer's office, or running an occupation that outgrows the 600-square-foot/25-percent cap or otherwise breaks the standards, is enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC. A code enforcement officer can issue a corrective notice and order; failure to come into compliance by the deadline triggers a $250-per-violation, per-day civil penalty, doubling to $500 per day for a repeat violator, with appeal to the hearing examiner and then Snohomish County Superior Court under RCW 36.70C.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Everett Municipal Code 19.13.220(A)(6)(g) bars any home occupation that operates as an office receiving client visits outright, and the remaining occupations that are allowed must keep student, client and employee vehicle parking from creating a hazard or congestion.

Key details: Client-visit offices: Prohibited outright as home occupations. Parking standard: No hazard or congestion from visitor vehicles. Employees allowed: Resident occupant only, no outside staff. Delivery cap: 2 commercial deliveries/week, 18,000 lb GVW max. Outdoor storage/display: Prohibited.

A home occupation that functions as a client-visited office is a prohibited use outright, not a matter of degree, so it is not eligible for home-occupation status regardless of parking capacity. Violations, including chronic client parking congestion or delivery volume beyond the weekly cap, are enforced through Chapter 1.20 EMC: a code enforcement officer issues a corrective notice and order, and continued noncompliance accrues a $250-per-day civil penalty per violation, rising to $500 per day for repeat violators, appealable to the hearing examiner.

This is one of the stricter rules in Everett's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Everett is tougher than many cities when it comes to home business. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Everett, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.