Bothell, WA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Bothell Municipal Code § 13.11.110 covers private residential docks serving four or fewer residential units. It sits in the city's shoreline chapter, adopted by the Bothell City Council. Larger or different docks fall under BMC 13.11.030, Boating facilities. New docks are allowed only for water-dependent uses or public access, and a dock tied to a single-family residence counts as water-dependent when it is designed as a facility for access to watercraft.

Where docks are allowed: private residential docks are prohibited on Swamp and North Creeks and allowed on the Sammamish River. A dock there is a ramp from the shoreline to a float, oriented parallel to the shoreline. Piers meant as boat moorage are prohibited on all water bodies. A new dock may be permitted for each single-family lot or multifamily parcel developed for residential use before February 6, 2013, with no more than one dock per residence or parcel. After that date, lots subdivided to create additional waterfront lots, and new developments of two or more dwelling units with waterfront access rights, must use a joint-use dock. A joint-use dock serving more than four units is a community dock under BMC 13.11.030.

Dimensions in Table 13.11.110-1: surface coverage of the over-water structure, not counting the ramp, is 120 square feet for one unit, 240 for two, 360 for three and 480 for four. Ramps are 4 feet wide at most and floats 6 feet. Float length is up to 20 feet per unit. Floats sit between five and 10 feet from the ordinary high water mark, at least 50 feet from the mouth of a named or numbered tributary entering the Sammamish River, and at least 10 feet from extended side property lines. No skirting, covered or walled structures are allowed. Anchor piles are limited to two per facility and 12 inches in diameter, and float grating must pass at least 40 percent light.