Code Enforcement
PDS Code Enforcement responds to citizen complaints about code violations in unincorporated Snohomish County for Planning & Development Services only. What type of code violations do we investigate? Some of the most common are building and clearing/grading without permits, work in critical areas, illegal businesses, and junkyard conditions. Please refer to the table below for an expanded list of common complaints that we receive and which departments or agencies handle them.
Good to KnowCode Enforcement works in the field. Unfortunately, we're not always available in the office.If you have received a letter, invoice, or violation notice from Code Enforcement, please contact your assigned Code Enforcement Officer directly. If you'd like to speak with the Officer in person, please call them to schedule an appointment. If you have general questions about the code enforcement process, read our FAQ, see our common complaints handout, or call 425-388-3650. |
Common Complaints and Where to Report Them
Use this alphabetical list of common complaints to determine which department or agency handles your concern. Links to online complaints forms and other helpful resources are included. The referral links are provided as a courtesy only. Please contact the recommended agency or department directly if you have questions or need additional assistance.
For Unincorporated Snohomish County Only
| Is my complaint in unincorporated Snohomish County? Before filing your investigation request, please verify that the violation address is within our jurisdiction for enforcement. | Address/parcel tools:
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City Code Enforcement If the address of the violation is not within unincorporated Snohomish County, it may be under the jurisdiction of one of these cities. | Arlington | 360-403-3551 Bothell | 425-806-6400 Brier | 425-775-5440 Darrington | 360-436-1131 Edmonds | 425-775-2525 Everett | 425-257-8700 Gold Bar | 360-793-1101 Granite Falls | 360-691-6441 Index | (360) 793-2488 Lake Stevens | 425-622-9400 Lynnwood | 425-670-5420 Marysville | 360-363-8379 Mill Creek | 425-551-7254 Monroe | 360-863-4553 Mountlake Terrace | 425-670-8260 Mukilteo | (425) 263-8000 Snohomish | 360-568-3115 Stanwood | 360-454-5208 Sultan | 360-793-2272 Tulalip Tribes | 360-716-4242 Woodway | 206-542-4443 |
Airport/airplane noise and low-flying aircraft | Report to:
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Air Quality | Report to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency | 800-552-3565: |
Animals and wildlife | Report to: Snohomish County Animal Services | 425-388-3440
WA Department of Fish & Wildlife | 360-902-2936, Option 1 |
Appeals – Code Enforcement violation appeals | Do not submit your code enforcement violation appeals to Code Enforcement. Please follow the instructions on the back of the Notice of Violation carefully.
Appeals must be submitted to: Snohomish County Planning and Development Services Attention: Appeals 3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 604 Everett, WA 98201 |
Burning and Smoke - outdoor (unincorporated Snohomish County only) | During burn bans, report to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency hotline at 800-595-4341
Report violations to local Fire Dept
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Businesses - illegal residential businesses and home occupations | Verify if there is a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Clearing and grading/land disturbing activities complaints or concerns | Complaints or concerns regarding permitted projects:
Complaints regarding building or construction without permits:
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Code, permitting, zoning, setback, building and land use code questions, and questions about permit status, allowable use, etc. | Contact Ask Permit Tech Electrical permits and complaints – contact WA State L&I. The County does not issue electrical permits or conduct electrical inspections. |
| Code Enforcement – PDS Code Enforcement for unincorporated Snohomish County only | See Enforcement |
| Construction or building complaints and concerns | Complaints or concerns regarding permitted projects:
Complaints regarding building or construction without permits:
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COVID-19 violations by individuals, groups, or businesses | Visit Snohomish Health District for information |
Critical Area violations (flood hazard, shoreline) | Verify if a project has a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Dangerous Building Conditions – structures severely damaged by earthquake, wind, or fire, abandoned building with unsecured or broken windows and doors | Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Dispute Resolution and Mediation – neighbors, neighborhood, and landlord/tenant disputes | Contact Volunteers of America | 425-259-3191 |
Drainage | Report to Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management | 425-388-3464
For diverting water to an adjacent property only—file a complaint with our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Driveways, access roads - building or filling in right-of-way or creating a new access or driveway without permits | Verify if a project has a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Drugs or suspicious activity | Report to Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
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Dumping, illegal dumping | Report to:
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Easements – disputes, someone using your easement, disputes about private roads, fence location, or property lines | Civil Matter—PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters
Property documents – visit Auditor’s Office online |
| Electrical – illegal work, permits, codes | PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints about illegal or unpermitted electrical work or contractors. Contact WA State L&I.
Contact Washington State L&I to report illegal work, obtain electrical permits, and for code information. |
Enforcement - PDS Code Enforcement process, team directory, FAQ, and complaint forms.
Good to Know: Code Enforcement works in the field. We’re not always available in the office. If you have been assigned a Code Enforcement Officer and need to speak with them in person, please call them to schedule an appointment. | Complaints: All complaints must be submitted using our Investigation Request form. We are not able to accept or process complaints by phone, email, or fax due to disclosure laws and the public records retention rules and procedures. Complaints that are not submitted using our investigation request form cannot be processed. FAQ - See Assistance Bulletin #51
Report violations to us using the PDS Code Enforcement Investigation Request form
No Computer?
Letter, Invoice, Citation, Warning notice, or Notice of Violation
General Code Enforcement Questions & Coordinator: 425-388-3650
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Fences | Civil Matter – spite fences, fence location disputes and property line disputes. PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters. |
Forest practices - DNR (harvesting timber, building or repairing forest roads or culverts, thinning your forest, or other forest practices) | County (Class IV permits) | See Dept of Natural Resources | (360) 856-3500
Snohomish County
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Garbage and trash | Report to Snohomish Health District (425-339-5200) for:
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Graffiti | Civil Issue—PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters |
Hazardous or dangerous spills, leaking tanks | Report to Department of Ecology | 800-645-7911
If near water, report to Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management |
Homeless encampments, squatters | Report to Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency line at 425-407-3999
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Junk, junkyard conditions on private property only (old appliances, tires, etc.)
See Dumping for illegal dumping on public or private property, near/adjacent to water, or on roadway. | Definition of “junk”
For household garbage and trash, report to Snohomish Health District
Report junkyard violations (not garbage/trash complaints) to us by using our PDS Code Enforcement Investigation Request Form |
Landlord/Tenant disputes (including complaints about repairs or issues with the building, house, or apartment)
| PDS Code Enforcement does not handle any aspect of Landlord/Tenant disputes, including, building repairs or maintenance issues, lease or rental agreements, etc.
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Light - bright light or light pollution | Residential
Commercial/Business
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Mobile homes, illegal placement | Verify if a current permit is on file by using our PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Mold, pollution, or other environmental health issues | See Snohomish Health District for resources and referrals |
Noise—public disturbance noise (construction noise, heavy machinery or truck noise, fireworks, revving engines, barking dogs, loud neighbors and music, car exhaust noise, etc.) | Call the Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency line at 425-407-3999 Allowable Daytime Hours: Definition of public disturbance noise |
| Noxious weeds | PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints about noxious weeds, overgrown yards, or landscaping.
Report to Noxious Weed Control Board
Noxious Weed Information |
Overgrown yards, bushes, and landscaping (see above for noxious weeds) | Civil Issue—PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters
For overgrown bushes or trees obstructing the sidewalk, report to Road Maintenance at 425-388-7500 |
Parking - abandoned or parked cars, RV’s, trailers, or other vehicles on the side of the road, in the ROW, or on the street, parking in fire lanes on County roads | Report to Sno Co Sheriff’s Office online: *If the incident is occurring now, call 911
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Permits – Do they have a permit? Permit status and other permitting questions | Do they have a permit? Use our PDS Map Portal to verify is there is a permit by property address or parcel number.
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Property line, easement, and private road disputes
| Civil Issue - PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters |
Retaining walls, without permits | Verify if a project has a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Right-of-Way - structures in the right-of-way, including signs, fences, retaining walls, landscaping, basketball hoops, and other obstructions | Report structures in the ROW to Public Works Right-of-Way | 425-388-6453
For construction, clearing, grading, paving, or adding a driveway in/adjacent to the ROW, report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Roads, public - flooding/drainage/water or mud on the road or maintenance issues | Report to Public Works Road Maintenance | 425-388-7500
For mud or track out on the road from construction traffic, report directly to Sheriff’s Office and Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management | 425-388-3464 |
Rodents and pests | PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints about rodents or pests. See Snohomish Health District for resources and referrals |
RVs (recreational vehicles) and travel trailers - occupied or multiple RV’s on property | See RV Assistance Bulletin #53
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Septic systems – septic code questions, permits, inspections, complaints
| PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints about any aspect of septic systems or septic permits.
Permitting, inspections, questions, and complaints—report to/contact Snohomish Health District | 425-339-5200 |
Sidewalks – overgrown bushes or trees obstructing the sidewalk, other obstructions on sidewalk | Report sidewalk obstructions to Road Maintenance at 425-388-7500
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Setback - building setback violations | Verify if a project has a permit by using our PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech.
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Signs, illegally placed or oversize commercial signs (not parking or street signs) | Commercial sign code and permitting questions—contact Ask Permit Tech
Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Storm drains – illegal connection, maintenance, drainage, and more | Contact/report to Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management | 425-388-3464 |
Street lights—outages | Report to PUD | 425-783-1000 |
Traffic signals, street signs, and more
| See Sno Co Public Works Roads FAQ | 425-388-6420
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Trees – Hazardous trees, tree code and permitting questions | PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints or questions about hazardous trees.
See Hazardous Trees Assistance Bulletin #52
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Trespassing—criminal trespassing, someone doing work on your property without your permission | Report to Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office |
Water quality – turbid discharge, oil or chemical spills to surface waters or storm drains, and sewage or manure discharges to surface waters | Report to Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management | 425-388-3464 Report to WA State Department of Ecology | 800-645-7911 |
Water retention or runoff, retention ponds | Report to Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management | 425-388-3464 |
Water Withdrawal – use of surface water for irrigation or other uses | Report to WA State Department of Ecology | 800-645-7911 |
Zoning Violations
| Zoning code and permitting questions—contact Ask Permit Tech
Report zoning violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form |
Snohomish County
PDS Code Enforcement Team
Good to Know: Code Enforcement works in the field. We’re not always available in the office. If you have been assigned a Code Enforcement Officer and need to speak with them in person, please call them directly to schedule an appointment. For general questions about the Code Enforcement process, read our FAQ or call 425-388-3650.
Code Enforcement Website FAQ - See Assistance Bulletin #51 Download Complaint Form Download Who to Call Common Complaints and who handles them. General Code Enforcement Questions & Coordinator: 425-388-3650 Letter, Invoice, Citation, Warning Notice, or Notice of Violation If you have received correspondence from our team, please contact your assigned Code Enforcement Officer noted in the letter. If you need assistance, call 425-388-3650. | Complaints
No Computer? If you don’t have access to a computer, please download the form or call 425-388-3650 and leave us a voicemail with your name and address. We’ll send you a complaint form to mail back to us. |