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Snohomish County, WA Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
SCC 10.04.120, added 1993
Classification
Class 3 civil infraction
Maximum penalty
$100 under SCC 10.70.110
Response deadline
15 days to contest or pay
Where covered
Any public place visible to the public
Not covered
Washrooms and toilet rooms

Summary

Intentionally urinating or defecating in public where anyone could observe it is a civil infraction in unincorporated Snohomish County under SCC 10.04.120, part of the county's offenses against public decency chapter. The maximum civil penalty is $100, since the offense is classified as a class 3 infraction.

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

10.04.120 Urinating in public. A person is guilty of urinating in public if he or she intentionally urinates or defecates in a public place other than a washroom or toilet room under circumstances where such act could be observed by any member of the public.

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

04, Offenses Against Public Decency, alongside the county's lewd conduct and public indecency provisions. 110(1)(c) fixes the maximum and default penalty for a class 3 civil infraction at $100. Under that same chapter, a person cited has 15 days to respond, may contest the determination at a hearing where the county bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence, or may request a mitigation hearing to explain the circumstances without contesting that the act occurred. 060(2)(j).

Violations & Fines

A citation for public urination or defecation is a class 3 civil infraction, capped at a $100 penalty under SCC 10.70.110(1)(c), not a criminal charge and not punishable by jail. The person cited has 15 days to pay, contest the infraction at a hearing, or request a mitigation hearing; ignoring the notice produces a default judgment for the full fine and may be referred for prosecution as a separate misdemeanor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is public urination a criminal charge in Snohomish County?
No. SCC 10.04.300(2) classifies a violation of SCC 10.04.120 as a class 3 civil infraction, not a misdemeanor, so it cannot result in jail time. It is handled through the county's civil infraction process in Chapter 10.70 SCC, similar to a traffic ticket.
How much is the fine for public urination in Snohomish County?
Up to $100. SCC 10.70.110(1)(c) sets $100 as both the maximum and the default penalty for a class 3 civil infraction, which is the classification SCC 10.04.300(2) assigns to violations of the public urination section.
Does the rule cover defecation as well as urination?
Yes. SCC 10.04.120 applies to a person who "intentionally urinates or defecates in a public place other than a washroom or toilet room" under circumstances where any member of the public could observe the act, covering both acts under the same civil infraction.
Can I contest a public urination citation?
Yes. Under SCC 10.70.070, a person has 15 days to request a hearing contesting the determination, where the county must prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence, or to request a separate hearing to explain mitigating circumstances instead of contesting the facts.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Snohomish County

Outdoor Smoking RestrictionsSome RestrictionsLoitering RulesSignificant 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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Public Urination in Cities Across Snohomish County

Edmonds, WAEverett, WALynnwood, WAMarysville, WA