Everett, WA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- NR/NR-C zones
- 35 ft, 3 floors max
- UR4 zone
- 45 ft max
- UR7 zone
- 75 ft max
- Historic overlay
- 38 ft / 3-floor cap
- Accessory buildings
- Separate, lower height table
Summary
Everett caps building height by zone under Everett Municipal Code Section 19.22.020: Neighborhood Residential (NR) and NR-C zones top out at three floors and thirty-five feet, rising to forty-five feet in UR4 and seventy-five feet in UR7.
A. Maximum Building Heights. 1. Principal Buildings. Maximum building heights for principal buildings are set forth in Table 22-1. Maximum building heights may be modified in certain areas using overlays on the zoning map. A building must meet the standards in Table 22-1 (maximum feet) and any zoning overlay standard. ... 1If located within an historic overlay, the maximum height is limited to three floors or thirty-eight feet in maximum height, with the maximum height to the eaves at the side lot line twenty-four feet.
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 22-1 in Everett Municipal Code Section 19.22.020 sets maximum building heights for principal buildings by zoning district: 35 feet (3 floors) in the NR and NR-C Neighborhood Residential zones, 45 feet in UR4, 75 feet in UR7, and up to 260 feet in the MU25 zone downtown. Heights may be modified by overlays shown on the zoning map. A property inside a historic overlay is capped at three floors or 38 feet, with eave height limited to 24 feet at the side lot line. Detached accessory residential buildings follow a separate, lower table, generally one and a half to two floors and 18 to 28 feet, depending on zone and alley access.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the approved height or building without a permit is enforced under Chapter 1.20 EMC, including stop-work orders and civil penalties starting at $250 per violation per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in Everett?
Are height limits lower in Everett's historic districts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Everett
Compare Everett to another location·View the Washington building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle structure height limits.