Moving to Edmonds, WA?

Edmonds does not have a local airport. The nearest commercial airports are Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA, ~30 miles south) and Paine Field (PAE, ~10 miles northeast). Aircraft noise is regulated federally by the FAA. No local aircraft noise ordinance applies.

Edmonds noise rules are governed by ECC Ch. 5.30, which adopts the WAC 173-60 Environmental Designation for Noise Abatement (EDNA) framework. Residential maintenance and homeowner project noise is exempt between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (ECC §5.30.110). Nighttime limits (10 p.m.–7 a.m.) are 10 dBA lower than daytime maximums for Class A (residential) receiving properties.

Persistent barking dog complaints are handled under ECC §5.30.130 (public disturbance noises) and ECC Ch. 5.05 (animal control). During nighttime hours, call 911; during daytime, contact animal control at 425-771-0205. Animal control may initiate the abatement process for chronic offenders.

Construction noise is exempt from Edmonds noise limits under ECC §5.30.110 on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays. Violations are subject to civil penalties.

Edmonds does not have a dedicated STR parking ordinance. STRs in detached single-family homes are treated like the residential use and the analogous bed-and-breakfast standard in ECDC 20.23 requires one off-street parking space per rental room (in all zones except BD), with adjacent legal on-street parking countable toward the requirement.

STR guests in Edmonds must comply with the citywide noise ordinance (ECC Chapter 5.30). The city follows Washington's environmental noise levels: 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA at the receiving residential property line at night, with quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Edmonds does not set a numeric guest cap unique to short-term rentals. Stays must be fewer than 30 consecutive nights, hosts must post a maximum occupancy figure for guests under RCW 64.37, and the analogous bed-and-breakfast rule (ECDC 20.23) bars stays longer than 30 consecutive days and prohibits kitchens in individual guest rooms.

STR operators must collect and remit Washington State retail sales tax (6.5%) and applicable lodging/hotel-motel tax under RCW 67.28. Edmonds may levy a local lodging tax in addition to the state rate. All operators must register with WA Dept. of Revenue.

Edmonds regulates short-term rentals through the Community Development Code. Bed & breakfasts are covered under ECDC 20.23. Hosts must obtain a City of Edmonds business license (ECC Chapter 4.72). STR zoning may be addressed through ECDC 20.23 or newer ordinance updates.

Outdoor burning is banned within Edmonds city limits under ECC §5.22.030. This includes debris fires, yard waste burning, and burn barrels. Recreational fires in fire pits, chimineas, and fire bowls are allowed under Puget Sound Clean Air Agency rules. WAC 173-425 governs regional burning seasons. Illegal fires may incur fines starting at $2,000.

Recreational fire pits in Edmonds are allowed as small recreational fires under fire code: under 3 ft diameter, 25 ft from structures, constantly attended with water nearby, dry wood only. Prohibited during any active burn ban.

Fireworks are illegal in the City of Edmonds. Discharge and sale of all consumer fireworks is prohibited within city limits. In May 2024, Snohomish County also banned sale of fireworks in all no-fireworks cities. Report violations to non-emergency line: 425-407-3999.

Edmonds has a residential RV parking permit program. Residents may obtain an RV parking decal allowing parking in permit-designated areas on the Residential & Visitor Parking Map. Apply at City Hall or by email.

Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs. GVWR require a conditional use permit for storage in residential zones (ECDC §17.50.100). Street parking of commercial vehicles is subject to the 72-hour maximum rule and other traffic ordinances.

Under ECC §8.50.120, vehicles may not remain lawfully parked on a public street for more than 72 hours. Moving and re-parking a vehicle within the same block to reset the time limit is prohibited (ECC §8.48.162). The city's parking enforcement unit patrols and issues citations.

Abandoned vehicle removal is regulated under ECC Ch. 8.48 and RCW 46.55. Vehicles left on public or private property without permission for more than 24 hours may be declared abandoned. Automobile hulks on private property are subject to abatement. Contact the parking enforcement unit at 425-771-0205.

Fence height limits are set by Edmonds Community Development Code Ch. 17.30. In general, fences up to 6 ft are allowed in rear and side yards; front yard fences are limited to 4 ft. A decorative trellis may add up to 2 ft, for a maximum of 8 ft. Fences over 6 ft must comply with the applicable building setback.

Beekeeping is regulated at the state level under RCW 15.60 (Washington State Department of Agriculture). Hives must be registered with WSDA. Edmonds has no specific beekeeping ordinance; state standards apply. Contact city planning for zoning setback questions in residential areas.

Edmonds requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than eight feet whenever off the owner's premises (ECC 5.05.010, 5.05.050). Dogs are permitted in city parks and on the waterfront walkway only when leashed and under owner control (ECC 5.05.060). The Marina Beach Off-Leash Area at 498 Admiral Way is the only legal off-leash location, open dawn to dusk. Dogs are entirely prohibited from Brackett's Landing North and the Shoreline Sanctuary Conservation Area.

Washington State RCW 16.30 prohibits keeping certain dangerous wild animals as pets, including wolves, bears, lions, tigers, and non-human primates. Edmonds ECC Ch. 5.05 covers wild and exotic animals locally. Contact Snohomish County animal control for specific species questions.

Tree removal in Edmonds is governed by the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) critical areas and tree retention provisions. Significant trees in critical areas or associated with development require a tree removal permit. Street trees are protected under city code; contact Public Works for removal requests.

Residential swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas in Edmonds must comply with the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) adopted at ECDC 19.35.000 and the 2021 International Residential Code Appendix AG, both adopted statewide under RCW 19.27.031 (WAC 51-51, WAC 51-50). The baseline residential barrier is at least 48 inches high, with self-closing/self-latching gates and openings that will not pass a 4-inch sphere. Public and semi-public pools (apartments, hotels, schools) are regulated by Snohomish Health Department under WAC 246-260-031. Edmonds also caps fence height at six feet under ECDC 17.30.000, and pool/spa structures must meet the accessory-structure setbacks of the underlying zoning district under Title 16 ECDC.

Edmonds City Council adopted an ADU code update on June 11, 2024, complying with state HB 1337. Up to 2 ADUs (attached and/or detached) are allowed per single-family lot. Maximum ADU size: 1,200 sq ft. Maximum height: 24 ft. No owner-occupancy requirement. Impact fees capped at 50% of principal unit. Building permit required.

Sheds and detached accessory structures in Edmonds must comply with ECDC zoning setbacks and the Washington State Building Code (WAC 51-50). Permit requirements depend on size; small structures under 200 sq ft may be exempt from a full building permit but still must meet setback requirements.

Garage conversions to living space or ADUs require a building permit under WAC 51-50 and ECDC. Conversions must meet all applicable zoning, energy code, and habitability standards. HB 1337 (2023) facilitates garage-to-ADU conversions with relaxed requirements for impact fees and design.

Edmonds has FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A/AE) along creeks and coastal bluff areas. FEMA flood maps for Edmonds reference panels 53061C1292 EF, 53061C1285 EF, 53061C1315 EF, and 53061C1305 EF. All development in Zone A/AE requires a floodplain development permit. Pool construction in flood zones has no permit exemptions and may require engineer certification under FEMA TB-5.

Edmonds enforces the Shoreline Management Act along its Puget Sound waterfront. Shoreline setbacks, vegetation buffers, and habitat protections apply to waterfront properties and development near streams.