Snohomish County, WA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Weed duty
- Owner must control noxious weeds
- Weed authority
- RCW 17.10.140
- Dumping ban
- SCC 7.35.120
- Junk threshold
- 50 cu ft in UGA
- Nuisance abatement
- SCC 10.75
Summary
Owners of vacant unincorporated parcels must still control noxious weeds and cannot let others dump waste on the land. Illegal dumping and accumulated junk on empty lots are enforceable nuisances under county and state law.
Except as is provided under subsection (2) of this section, every owner must perform or cause to be performed those acts as may be necessary to: (a) Eradicate all class A noxious weeds; (b) Control and prevent the spread of all class B noxious weeds designated for control in that region within and from the owner's property.
Full Breakdown
The county has no separate "vacant lot mowing" ordinance, but existing rules still apply. Under RCW 17.10.140, every owner must eradicate Class A noxious weeds and control designated Class B and C weeds on their land, including empty lots, or the Snohomish County Noxious Weed Control Board can control them at the owner's expense. Dumping solid waste on any ground without a permit is unlawful under SCC 7.35.120, and heavy junk accumulation can meet the SCC 30.91J.020 junkyard threshold. Persistent problems are handled as chronic nuisance property under SCC 10.75.
Violations & Fines
Weed non-compliance: board may control weeds and bill the owner (RCW 17.10.140). Unlawful dumping ranges from a civil infraction to a gross misdemeanor under SCC 7.35.120.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to mow an empty lot I own?
Someone dumped trash on my vacant land. Whose problem is it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington property maintenance overview
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