Snohomish County, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC 10.24.035, effective Aug. 2012
- Default rule
- Camping on county property is unlawful
- Allowed locations
- Designated park sites, fairgrounds, Paine Field, permitted land
- Classification
- Class 1 civil infraction
- Maximum penalty
- $500 under SCC 10.70.110
- Related rule
- Fires on county property also barred, SCC 10.24.037
Summary
Camping anywhere on Snohomish County-owned property is unlawful unless it's in a designated park camping area, an authorized spot at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds or Paine Field, or other county land covered by a county-issued license or permit. SCC 10.24.035 defines "camp" broadly, and a violation is a class 1 civil infraction with a $500 maximum fine.
10.24.035 Unlawful camping. (1) It is unlawful for any person to camp on county property, except on: (a) a designated camping area of a county park; (b) the Evergreen State Fairgrounds where authorized pursuant to rules or regulations adopted by the fairgrounds manager; (c) county airport property at Paine Field where authorized pursuant to rules or regulations adopted by the airport director; or (d) other county property located outside the boundaries of a city or town where authorized by a license or permit issued by the county.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
035(1) states that "it is unlawful for any person to camp on county property," then carves out four exceptions: a designated camping area of a county park; the Evergreen State Fairgrounds when authorized by the fairgrounds manager's rules; Paine Field airport property when authorized by the airport director's rules; and other county property outside city or town boundaries when authorized by a county-issued license or permit. Subsection (2) defines the terms broadly: "camp" means to pitch, use, park, or occupy camp facilities for the purpose of habitation, as evidenced by camp paraphernalia; "camp facilities" include tents, huts, temporary shelters, or vehicles used as living quarters; and "camp paraphernalia" includes tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses, hammocks, or cooking equipment.
"County property" is defined to cover county roads, rights-of-way, offices, buildings, courtyards, open spaces, and parks anywhere in the county. 037, separately makes it unlawful to build or set a fire on county property outside a park or without a license or permit. 040. The ordinance was added by Amended Ordinance 12-029 in June 2012, effective August 1, 2012.
Violations & Fines
Any violation of Chapter 10.24 SCC, including unlawful camping, is a class 1 civil infraction under SCC 10.24.050, punishable under Chapter 10.70 SCC. SCC 10.70.110(1)(a) fixes the maximum and default penalty for a class 1 civil infraction at $500. The person cited has 15 days to pay, request a contested hearing where the county bears the burden of proof, or request a mitigation hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is camping allowed on Snohomish County property?
What counts as "camping" under this ordinance?
What is the penalty for unlawful camping?
Are county parks, offices, and roads all covered by the camping ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
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