Bonds & Assignment of Funds

Whenever the county requests a bond, it is acceptable to provide an Assignment of Funds in lieu of the bond. A bond is provided by a bonding agency upon payment of a fee. An assignment of funds is created by depositing the stated amount of money in a savings account with a guarantee from the financial institution that the account will remain intact until release is authorized by the county. Interest earned on the account is the property of the customer.

Landscape Maintenance Bonds are required to insure that landscaping on a new development will be maintained. The bonds usually have a term of two years. If the applicant fails to maintain the landscaping as described in the approved plans, the county may demand that money be made available from the bond to pay for the cost of maintaining the landscaping.

Landscape Maintenance Bond Form (PDF)

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Landscape Maintenance Bond Form (PDF)



Landscape Performance Bonds are required when the project manager and the applicant agree that the landscaping is not completed but that a certificate of occupancy should be issued. A common situation occurs in the winter, when it is more difficult to complete landscaping. The bond is a guarantee that landscaping will be completed as soon as practicable.

Landscape Performance Bond Form

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Landscape Performance Bond Form

Wetland Mitigation Bonds are required to insure that wetland maintenance on a new development will continue. The bonds usually have a term of three years from the date of permanent occupancy. If the applicant fails to maintain the wetland as described in the approved plans, the county may demand that money be made available from the bond to pay for the cost of restoring the wetland.

Wetland Mitigation Bond Form (PDF)

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Wetland Mitigation Bond Form (PDF)



Wetland Performance Bonds are required when the project manager and the applicant agree that the wetland protection is not completed but that a certificate of occupancy should be issued. The bond is a guarantee that wetland will be completed as soon as practicable.

Wetland Performance Bond Form (PDF)

Snohomish County Title 24 was replaced by UDC Chapter 30.63A. It is intended to control impacts related to drainage from new development activity; and to address the Federal Clean Water Act and other drainage control issues. All new development is subject to the new Chapter 30.63A. The duration of any of the following bonds can be extended by Snohomish County if the required work is not accomplished. Note the bond administration fees for erosion control and drainage warranty bonds.



The following bonds are involved:

Erosion Control Bond - This bond is required prior to issuance of a permit on new development. It remains in effect until replaced by a Drainage Warranty Bond. Its amount is 150% of the cost of the estimated cost of installing and maintaining erosion and sediment control measures through the life of the project. A bond administration fee equal to $0.005 per square foot of impervious area is due when the erosion control bond is submitted.

Erosion Control Bond Form (PDF)

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Erosion Control Bond Form (PDF)



Drainage Warranty Bond - This bond is required prior to occupancy. It remains in effect for two years after the issuance of a permanent certificate of occupancy. Its amount is 150% of the estimated cost of monitoring drainage facility performance and constructing corrective work, plus other mitigation measures which may be necessary. A bond administration fee equal to $0.007 per square foot of impervious area is due when the warranty control bond is submitted.

Drainage Warranty Bond Form (PDF)

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Drainage Warranty Bond Form (PDF)



Drainage Maintenance Bond - This bond is required prior to the release of the Drainage Warranty Bond. Its amount is 10% of the Warranty Bond or $5,000, whichever is greater. It remains in effect for a period of one year.

Drainage Maintenance Bond Form (PDF)

Assignment of Funds in Lieu of Drainage Warranty Bond Form (PDF)