Snohomish County has no single 'clear your brush' ordinance countywide, but the 2021 Washington Wildland-Urban Interface Code applies to new commercial and residential permits on parcels mapped high or very-high wildfire hazard, requiring ignition-resistant construction and driveway/access standards.
Vegetation clearance is governed through Washington's Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code, effective statewide July 1, 2023, adopted under RCW 19.27.560. Counties, cities, and towns issuing building permits for parcels identified as high or very-high hazard on the wildfire risk map must apply class-1 ignition-resistant construction and access requirements. Driveways are required where any part of the first-story exterior wall is more than 150 feet from a fire apparatus access road, with turnarounds beyond 300 feet. Broader defensible-space vegetation provisions apply only where a jurisdiction adopts additional portions of the International WUI Code. For a specific parcel, contact the Snohomish County Fire Marshal.
Non-compliance is enforced through the building-permit process for parcels in mapped high and very-high wildfire hazard areas; permits will not be issued until WUI requirements are met.
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
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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
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Snohomish County, WA
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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 brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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