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Snohomish County, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Junkyard threshold (UGA)
Over 50 cubic feet of junk
Junkyard threshold (area)
Over 300 sq ft used
Nuisance penalty
Up to $100 per day
Governing code
SCC 10.75 & 30.91J.020
Enforcer
PDS Code Enforcement

Summary

Accumulated junk, wrecked vehicles and repeated nuisance activity on unincorporated property are code violations. A "junkyard" is over 50 cubic feet of junk in an urban growth area, and chronic nuisance property can be court-ordered abated with daily penalties.

City-specific rules exist: Edmonds, Marysville, Lynnwood, and Everett have their own property blight rules that differ from Snohomish County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

"Junkyard" means more than 50 cubic feet of junk when located in an urban growth area, or the use of more than 300 square feet of area of any lot where junk is bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled or handled, including automobile wrecking yards.

View official code

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

Snohomish County Planning & Development Services enforces property blight on private land in unincorporated areas. Under SCC 30.91J.020, "junkyard" use is triggered at more than 50 cubic feet of junk in an urban growth area, or over 300 square feet devoted to storing, dismantling or handling junk (including inoperable vehicles). Separately, SCC Chapter 10.75 lets the county pursue "chronic nuisance property" where nuisance activities repeatedly occur; a court may order abatement, impose daily penalties and place a lien on the property. Report suspected blight to PDS Code Enforcement.

Violations & Fines

Chronic nuisance property: court may impose up to $100 per day per SCC 10.75.080, order abatement, and lien the property. Junkyard/zoning violations enforced by PDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the county force me to clean up junk?
Yes. For chronic nuisance property, a court may order abatement, authorize county cleanup, assess those costs against the property, and impose daily penalties up to $100.
How much stored junk becomes a junkyard?
In an urban growth area, more than 50 cubic feet of junk, or using more than 300 square feet of a lot to store or handle junk, is a regulated junkyard use.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Snohomish County

Vacant Lot MaintenanceSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Snohomish County rules

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Property Blight in Cities Across Snohomish County

Edmonds, WAEverett, WALynnwood, WAMarysville, WA