Snohomish County caps building height by zone in the SCC 30.23 bulk matrices. Common urban residential zones allow about 30 to 35 feet; height is measured from average final grade to the roof, with specific exemptions for chimneys, spires, towers, and similar features.
Under SCC 30.23.050(1), maximum building and structure height follows the standards in Tables 30.23.030 and 30.23.032. In Table 30.23.032, the R-7,200 zone allows buildings up to 30 feet (with additional standards above 30 feet), and R-8,400/R-9,600 zones are similar. SCC 30.23.050(3) requires height to be measured as the vertical distance from average final grade to the highest point of the roof surface, using the roof-type midpoints in the figures. Numerous features are exempt from the maximum, including chimneys, spires, belfries, water towers, flag poles, and antenna masts, provided they are set back at least 50 feet from adjoining lot lines.
Exceeding the zone height limit without an approved exception or variance is a zoning violation; PDS may deny or revoke permits and require correction.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County prohibits cruelty, neglect, and abandonment of animals under SCC 9.12.080. Failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, med...
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County's animal code does not set a general backyard wildlife-feeding ban. Feeding large carnivores such as bears and cougars is prohibited by Wash...
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County has no ordinance banning backyard composting, and it is encouraged for yard waste. In the unincorporated county, residential solid-waste and...
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County has no ordinance prohibiting or specifically permitting artificial turf in residential yards. In required development landscaping, the code ...
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County does not require native landscaping for homeowners, but Title 30 rewards it: development landscape plans that use Puget Sound indigenous spe...
Snohomish County, WA
Rooftop rainwater collection for outdoor use is allowed in Snohomish County with no water-right permit, following Washington's 2009 state policy. Storage tan...
See how Snohomish County's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.