Snohomish County, WA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SCC 30.25.015(3)
- Non-vegetative cap
- 20% of required landscaping area
- Certification required
- Before certificate of occupancy (SCC 30.25.043)
- Drainage classification
- PGPS surface under SCC 30.91P.020
- Base penalty range
- $500-$10,000 noncommercial; $1,500-$25,000 commercial
- Appeal window
- 14 calendar days
Summary
Snohomish County treats artificial turf as non-vegetative landscape material under SCC 30.25.015(3). It can help satisfy required site landscaping, but the county caps decorative, non-living features, turf included, at no more than 20 percent of the required perimeter and parking lot landscaping area, and it must be minimized, not used to replace living plant material wholesale.
Planting areas outside of the right-of-way may include landscape features such as decorative paving, sculptures, fountains, rock features, benches, picnic tables, and other amenities; provided that the area devoted to such features may count toward no more than 20 percent of the total required perimeter and parking lot landscaping area. Use of bark, mulch, gravel, and similar non-vegetative material shall be minimized and used only to assist plant growth and maintenance or to visually complement plant material.
(4) An accessible route of travel meeting construction code barrier free requirements may cross a required landscape area at a 90 degree angle or as close to a 90 degree angle to the road right-of-way as conditions allow. The area devoted to an accessible route of travel in a required perimeter area may be included to satisfy the requirements of SCC 30.25.020.
(5) The following minimum planting standards apply, except that street trees required pursuant to subsection (8) of this section shall comply with planting standards in the EDDS:
(a) Evergreen and deciduous trees shall be at least six feet high at the time of planting;
(b) Deciduous trees shall have a minimum diameter of one and one-half inches caliper at the time of planting; provided that the combined diameter measurements of groupings of under-story trees, such as vine maples, may be used to meet this requirement;
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
015(3) governs how synthetic surfaces fit into required landscaping on development sites: decorative features including artificial turf, decorative paving, rock, and similar non-vegetative material may count toward landscaping compliance, but only up to 20 percent of the total required perimeter and parking lot landscaping area, and such material must be minimized and used only to assist plant growth or visually complement live plantings, not substitute for them outright. 012, covering subdivisions, commercial sites, and multifamily projects; it exempts farms, changes generating five or fewer added parking spaces, and minor remodels under 50 percent of a structure's valuation or under 20 percent of added floor area.
105. 150(2). 010(1). 020) classifies artificial turf as a pollution-generating pervious surface, and where an underdrain not designed to infiltrate sits beneath a turf field, that area must be modeled as impervious surface for stormwater sizing purposes, pulling larger turf installations into flow-control review under the county Drainage Manual.
Violations & Fines
Landscaping installed without the required designer certification, or exceeding the 20 percent non-vegetative cap without an approved modification, is enforced under SCC Chapter 30.85, which governs all Title 30 SCC violations. A notice of violation carries monetary penalties starting at $500 for noncommercial sites (rising in steps to a $10,000 cap) or $1,500 for commercial sites (capped at $25,000), accruing daily under SCC 30.85.170. A property owner has 14 calendar days to appeal a notice of violation in writing to the Department of Planning and Development Services under SCC 30.85.190.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install artificial turf to meet Snohomish County landscaping requirements?
Does artificial turf need a certified installer sign-off?
Does drainage code treat artificial turf like a lawn?
What if I want more turf than the 20 percent cap allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington landscaping rules overview
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