Everett's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping 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.

Water Restrictions

Everett's utilities division can set specific hours for lawn and garden sprinkling, or ban it outright, during a water shortage or pressure emergency, with a shutoff and penalty for violators.

Key details: Who sets restrictions: Everett utilities division. Trigger: Actual or impending water shortage. Covers: Lawn, garden, nonessential water use. Penalty charge: $20 or council-set amount. Code section: EMC § 14.16.390.

Sprinkling outside imposed restrictions: water shutoff without notice, plus a $20 (or council-set) penalty charge before service is restored.

Tree Trimming

Everett property owners must remove or trim any trees, shrubs, or vegetation that overhang or obstruct a public sidewalk or street, under Everett Municipal Code Section 8.08.020, enforced through a city council abatement process with a five-day notice.

Key details: Governing code: EMC § 8.08.020 / § 8.08.040. Duty: Owner must remove overhanging vegetation. Notice period: 5 days before council resolution. Enforcement: Unpaid cost becomes a property lien. Applies to: All property within Everett city limits.

Noncompliance after the five-day notice lets Everett's city council adopt a removal resolution; the city then clears the obstruction itself and charges the cost to the owner as a lien on the property.

Weed Ordinances

Everett requires every property owner to clear dead grass, weeds, shrubs, bushes, or trees that become a fire hazard or a menace to public health, safety, and welfare, under Everett Municipal Code Section 8.08.030 in the city's removal-of-vegetation chapter.

Key details: Governing code: EMC § 8.08.030. Trigger: Fire hazard or health/safety menace. Notice before action: 5 days written notice. Cost recovery: Unpaid cost becomes a property lien. Applies to: Every owner within Everett city limits.

Owners who ignore the notice face a city council abatement resolution; Everett crews then remove the dead vegetation and charge the cost to the owner as a lien against the property.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Development near a wetland, stream or slope buffer in Everett must fence off and protect any significant evergreen tree at least eight inches in trunk diameter under the city's critical-areas tree protection standards.

Key details: Trigger: Evergreen, 8-inch+ trunk diameter. Protection zone: 5 feet beyond tree canopy drip line. Fencing required: 30-inch temporary fence before grading. Governing chapter: EMC 19.37, Critical Areas. Enforcement: Restoration plus fine for damage.

Violating critical-area buffer or tree-protection standards is enforced under EMC 19.37.190, which can require restoring the damaged area plus a fine equal to the assessed value of the trees lost.

Native Plants

Everett's landscaping code requires plant species native to the Pacific Northwest on any lot adjacent to a critical area or its buffer, excluding geologically hazardous areas.

Key details: Where required: lots adjacent to critical area buffers. Exemption: geologically hazardous areas excluded. Banned plants: county noxious weeds, English ivy, Scotch broom. Code chapter: EMC 19.35 Landscaping.

Installing non-native landscaping on a lot adjacent to a critical area buffer, or planting a Snohomish County-listed noxious weed such as Scotch broom, fails plan review under EMC 19.35.055 and can require replanting with compliant native species before final approval.

The Bottom Line

Everett's landscaping 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.

This guide is based on Everett's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.