Residential Building Permits
Residential permits include:
- Single Family Homes
- Duplexes
- Accessory Buildings
- Mobile-Manufactured Homes
- Private Storage Structures
- Garages
- Decks
Retaining Walls - Fences
- Docks
- Swimming Pools
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
Townhomes and multifamily structures are considered Commercial Buildings.
The links below will help you find out what items you will need to get started with the permitting process. For information on how to apply for a permit, refer to the Permitting page.
- Single Family Residential (RK)
- Manufactured Homes (MH)
- Accessory Buildings (AB)
- Other residential permits
Because each project is unique in its overall design, size, and configuration and is also distinctive as to property location each of these factors may trigger additional requirements. Some properties have specific requirements based on environmental factors which will have an impact on the development proposal. Other projects will have additional requirements based on specific thresholds of the project design such as the total amount of clearing, road length, slope of the property and the total amount of impervious surface created by the development. Zoning, setbacks, and bulk and dimensional requirements may also impact proposed projects. Based on your specific proposal you may be subject to one or more of the following:
Parcel specific
Some properties have specific requirements for development. Parcel Specific requirements may include:
Verification of Legal Lot Status
Resource Land Notification Requirements
Project Specific
There are elements of the construction process that may or may not be required for your projects. These are based on the overall design of your proposed development. Examples include: total amount of new impervious surface you are proposing, road construction, number of trees you need to remove to build the structure, the amount of clearing or grading required for your project will affect the type of information you will need to provide and submit with your building permit application.
Click on the following to see if your project will requires these additional permits/approvals
Land Disturbing Activity Permit
Environmental Approvals
Environmental regulations are designed to protect natural resources by limiting development and/or mitigating for project specific impacts. These regulations are established based upon best available science to determine buffer widths, setbacks, health and safety measures as well as outline appropriate mitigation measures for impacts to these areas.
The Critical Area Regulation of the county code is divided into sections based on the resource environment. Development is regulated within flood hazard areas and along state shorelines.
In addition some residential projects are subject to compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). This legislation is designed to identify impacts to the natural environment but also evaluate impacts to the human environment. Projects subject to SEPA will require public notification and need to complete an environmental checklist to be submitted with application materials.
SEPA Review for Residential Improvements
Visit the following links to determine if your project is subject to any of the following additional environmental requirements:
Mobile and manufactured homes require similar but sometimes different requirements than traditional houses and buildings. Since mobile and manufactured homes are designed and built in a factory, Washington State's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is responsible for the review and inspections of these buildings.
When placing these types of buildings in Snohomish County, PDS is responsible for the land and foundation portions only. Any interior alterations to the existing structure is regulated by L&I. Any additions added to the external structure is regulated by PDS.
PDS Requirements
Mobile-Manufactured Home Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF)
Mobile-Manufactured Home Application (PDF)
Mobile-Manufactured Home Plan Review Specification Form (PDF)
Assistance Bulletins
Building Permit (Manufactured/Mobile Homes) #36
Labor and Industries (L&I) Requirements
L&I Mobile/Manufactured Home webpage
Accessory Apartments
Accessory Apartment Submittal Checklist
Disclosure Notices/Forms
Tsunami Hazard Area Disclosure Form
Volcanic Hazard Area Disclosure Form
Innocent Purchaser
Innocent Purchaser Submittal Package
Temporary Dwelling for a Relative
Temporary Dwelling for a Relative Checklist
Temporary Dwelling Physicians Statement
Temporary Dwelling Questionnaire
Application for Annual Renewal - Temporary Dwelling for a Relative