Snohomish County, WA Building Safety: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- Type C2 (construction site structures)
- Tarp requirement
- Canvas tarpaulin under scaffolding, required
- Fence trigger
- Within 10 feet of walk/roadway or in business district
- Governing section
- SCC 13.50.050, last amended 2013
Summary
Scaffolding built over or into a county road right-of-way during construction, demolition, or repair needs a Type C2 permit and must carry a tarp underneath to stop debris from falling on the roadway below.
Type C2 permits for building construction, demolition, repair or scaffolding, within the opened right-of-way, are subject to the following additional conditions: ... (2) A substantial canvas tarpaulin or approved equivalent shall be attached to the underside of scaffolding erected in the opened right-of-way in such a manner as to stop any spray, dirt, or other materials from spreading on the roadway below. ... (10) A fence or enclosure shall be erected at any location where a building is to be erected, razed, repaired or altered and a hazard to pedestrian traffic is created (a) within 10 feet of a walk or roadway, (b) in a business district, or (c) in any case determined by the engineer... (13) All scaffolding erected in the opened right-of-way shall be properly barricaded to protect pedestrian and vehicular traffic from debris, spray and related hazards.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
" The same section bars mixing mortar or concrete in any public place unless confined to a tight box or mixing board, requires a suitable portion of sidewalk to be barricaded during operations with specified hours of work, and mandates that contractors comply with the county's EDDS, the MUTCD, and the applicable building code for pedestrian protection. Where a hazard to pedestrian traffic is created within 10 feet of a walk or roadway, in a business district, or as otherwise determined by the engineer, a fence or enclosure must be erected around the construction site, and the department may require compensation for that use of the right-of-way.
Building rubbish and debris from upper floors must be lowered by closed chutes or elevators rather than dropped, with dust-control wetting required. 030, including that all objects be maintained in a neat and orderly manner and removed once the permit expires. The chapter traces to Ord. 85-051 (1985) and was last amended for this section by Ord. 13-051 (July 31, 2013, effective Aug. 12, 2013).
Violations & Fines
Erecting scaffolding in the right-of-way without a Type C2 permit, or without the required tarpaulin and barricading, is a right-of-way use violation. SCC 13.50.030(4) lets Public Works order removal of noncompliant scaffolding and restoration of the site at the permittee's expense, and the engineer can require the contractor to correct barricading or debris-control deficiencies before work continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put scaffolding in the county right-of-way?
What must be attached under scaffolding placed over a Snohomish County road?
When does construction scaffolding require a protective fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington building safety overview
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