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Snohomish County, WA Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
SCC 15.08.203
Applies to
Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field) only
County authority
Direct loiterers to leave premises
Penalty basis
Misdemeanor under SCC 15.08.654(1)
Adopted
1974; amended by Ord. 92-132 (1992)

Summary

Snohomish County's only loitering ordinance covers its own airport, Paine Field: no one may disrupt, slow, or impede normal airport operations, and the county can direct anyone loitering on airport property to leave, under SCC 15.08.203. There's no general anti-loitering law for other public spaces in the unincorporated county.

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

No person shall disrupt, slow down or impede the normal activities of the airport. Snohomish county reserves the right to direct persons loitering on airport property to leave the premises.

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

203, adopted in 1974 and amended by Ordinance 92-132 in 1992, is Snohomish County's sole codified loitering rule, and it applies only to Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field) property in unincorporated Snohomish County. The section has two parts. First, it makes it unlawful for any person to disrupt, slow down or impede the normal activities of the airport, a broad standard that covers interfering with terminal operations, ramp activity, or airport business rather than any single defined act. Second, it gives the county discretionary authority: Snohomish county reserves the right to direct persons loitering on airport property to leave the premises, meaning airport staff or law enforcement can order a loiterer off the grounds without needing to prove a separate disruption first.

210). 210) instead carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and 30 days to a year in jail. 208 may also deny a repeat violator further access to the airport. Outside the airport, unincorporated Snohomish County has not adopted a general loitering or obstruction ordinance for streets, sidewalks or parks.

Violations & Fines

Disrupting, slowing, or impeding normal airport activity, or loitering after being directed to leave, violates SCC 15.08.203. With no dedicated penalty in the section, violations default to the misdemeanor catch-all at SCC 15.08.654(1), punishable under SCC 1.01.100. Repeat violators can also be denied further airport access under SCC 15.08.208(2), and the airport manager may have anyone removed from the premises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unincorporated Snohomish County have a general loitering law?
No. The Snohomish County Code has no general loitering ordinance covering streets, sidewalks, or parks in unincorporated areas. The only codified loitering rule is SCC 15.08.203, and by its own terms it applies exclusively to Snohomish County Airport, also known as Paine Field, not to public property elsewhere in the county.
What can the airport do if someone is loitering at Paine Field?
Under SCC 15.08.203, Snohomish county reserves the right to direct anyone loitering on airport property to leave the premises. The airport manager or law enforcement can issue that order directly, and someone who ignores it or otherwise disrupts airport operations can be charged with a misdemeanor under the Title 15 catch-all penalty, SCC 15.08.654(1).
Is there a fine for loitering at the airport?
SCC 15.08.203 itself sets no dollar amount. Because it is a Title 15 violation without its own specified penalty, SCC 15.08.654(1) applies, making the offense a misdemeanor punishable as provided in SCC 1.01.100, rather than a fixed civil fine.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Snohomish County

All Snohomish County rules

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