In unincorporated Snohomish County outdoor lighting must be hooded or shaded so that direct light does not glare onto surrounding property or rights-of-way. Sign lighting has the same rule, so light spilling onto a neighbor can be a violation.
The county controls light trespass through glare-prevention language rather than a numeric footcandle limit. SCC 30.22.130 requires artificial lighting to be hooded or shaded so direct outside lighting will not result in glare when viewed from surrounding property or rights-of-way. For signs, SCC 30.27.010 requires that artificial lighting, excluding digital signs, be hooded or shaded so that direct light of lamps will not result in glare when viewed from surrounding property or rights-of-way. Outdoor-arena and design-standard sections add shielding duties in specific zones. A homeowner whose fixtures throw direct glare onto a neighbor can be required to shield or aim them so the direct light stays on their own property.
Direct glare spilling onto adjacent property or a right-of-way can be cited under these standards or as a nuisance; the county may order shielding, redirection, or reduction of the offending light.
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
Snohomish County's animal code does not set a general backyard wildlife-feeding ban. Feeding large carnivores such as bears and cougars is prohibited by Wash...
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
Snohomish County has no ordinance prohibiting or specifically permitting artificial turf in residential yards. In required development landscaping, the code ...
Snohomish County, WA
Snohomish County does not require native landscaping for homeowners, but Title 30 rewards it: development landscape plans that use Puget Sound indigenous spe...
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 light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.