Everett, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- NR-C max lot coverage
- 35%
- NR max lot coverage
- 50%
- 2-unit bonus
- +5% lot coverage
- 3+-unit bonus
- +10% lot coverage
- Governing section
- EMC 19.06.010, Table 6-1
Summary
Everett caps how much of a residential lot a building can cover: 35 percent in the NR-C zone and 50 percent in the NR zone, with a 5 to 10 percent bonus for lots with two or more dwelling units.
Maximum Lot Coverage by Building: NR-C 35%; NR 50%(2). ... Footnotes for Table 6-1: ... (2)Lots with two dwelling units allow additional five percent lot coverage by building; lots with three or more dwelling units allow additional ten percent lot coverage by building.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4194-26, passed July 29, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Table 6-1 in Everett Municipal Code § 19.06.010 sets maximum lot coverage by building at 35 percent in the NR-C single-family zone and 50 percent in the NR zone; lots with two dwelling units get an additional 5 percent, and lots with three or more units get an additional 10 percent. EMC 19.04.040 defines 'lot coverage by building' as the percent of ground area covered by any weathertight-roofed structure, including garages and carports, but excluding eaves, decks, and uncovered porches. Urban residential, mixed-use, and industrial zones in this Snohomish County city carry no maximum lot-coverage-by-building limit under Table 6-1.
Violations & Fines
Covering more than 35 percent (NR-C) or 50 percent (NR) of a lot with buildings, without qualifying for the multi-unit coverage bonus under Table 6-1, violates EMC 19.06.010 and can block a building permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of my lot can I build on in Everett?
Does a deck count toward Everett's lot coverage limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
Compare Everett to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
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Lot Coverage Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle lot coverage limits.