ADU Owner Occupancy: Edmonds vs Everett
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Edmonds, WA and Everett, WA?
Edmonds, WA
Snohomish County
No data available yet for Edmonds.
Everett, WA
Snohomish County
Everett does not require owner-occupancy on properties with an accessory dwelling unit. Ordinance 3963-23 removed the prior owner-occupancy mandate from EMC Title 19, and Washington HB 1337 (RCW 36.70A.683) prohibits Growth Management Act cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs. Owners may rent both the primary dwelling and the ADU to separate tenants.
View full Everett rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Edmonds | Everett |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-Occupancy | - | Not required |
| Removed By | - | Ord. 3963-23 |
| State Preemption | - | RCW 36.70A.683 |
| Both Units Rentable | - | Yes |
| HOA Rules | - | May still apply privately |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Edmonds FAQ
No FAQs available.
Everett FAQ
Do I have to live on the property to rent my Everett ADU?
No. Everett removed the owner-occupancy requirement through Ordinance 3963-23, and Washington RCW 36.70A.683 prohibits Growth Management Act cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs. You may rent both the primary house and the ADU while living elsewhere.
Can my HOA still require owner-occupancy?
Possibly. State preemption applies to cities and counties, not to private covenants. Review your HOA or condo declaration. Such rules are enforced privately through civil action in Snohomish County Superior Court, not by Everett code enforcement.
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