Marysville, WA Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential freeboard
- 1 foot above base flood elevation
- Nonresidential option
- 1 ft above BFE or dry-floodproof
- Manufactured homes
- 1 foot above BFE, MMC § 22E.020.200
- Governing section
- MMC § 22E.020.170
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 90 days jail
Summary
New and substantially improved residential structures in Marysville's special flood hazard areas must have their lowest floor, including the basement, built at least one foot above the base flood elevation.
New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation.
(3) Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing and air conditioning equipment and other service facilities shall be designed and/or located so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during conditions of flooding.
(4) Nonresidential Construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall meet the requirements of subsections (4)(a)(i) through (4)(a)(v) or (4)(b)(i) through (4)(b)(v) of this section.
(a) New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial or other nonresidential structure shall meet all of the following requirements:
(i) In AE and A1-30 zones or other A zoned areas where the BFE has been determined or can be reasonably obtained: New construction and substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or other nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot or more above the BFE, or elevated as required by ASCE 24, whichever is greater. Mechanical equipment and utilities shall be waterproofed or elevated at least one foot above the BFE, or as required by ASCE 24, whichever is greater.
(ii) If located in an AO zone, the structure shall meet the requirements in 44 CFR 60.3(c) 7, 8, and 11.
(iii)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4922912; v1 updated 2026-06-08; through 06-08-2026).
Full Breakdown
Marysville Municipal Code § 22E.020.170 sets the city's freeboard standard for special flood hazard areas: new construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure must have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation (BFE). Commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential structures face the same one-foot elevation requirement, or ASCE 24 if that standard requires more, or must be dry-floodproofed to that level. Mechanical, electrical, and HVAC equipment must be located to prevent floodwater intrusion. The building official administers and reviews permit compliance under MMC § 22E.020.080 through § 22E.020.100.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required freeboard elevation is a misdemeanor under MMC § 22E.020.040: fines up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, per violation, plus costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Marysville require more than FEMA's minimum elevation?
Do manufactured homes get the same freeboard requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marysville
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Flood Elevation Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle flood elevation requirements.