Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Marysville, Washington

Marysville’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential construction and other code-regulated building work inside Marysville city limits.

  • The code lists specified exempt work, including one-story detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or less, fences no more than six feet high, and other stated exemptions.
  • An exemption does not authorize work that violates the code or other law or ordinance.

  accessory-structure permit exemption threshold: <= 120 square feet (One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses.)

  “Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any laws or ordinance of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside Marysville city limits.

  • The adopted code excludes the referenced electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, property-maintenance, energy, and existing-buildings provisions from adoption by reference as specified in MMC § 16.04.010.
  • Subsequent International Code Council and Washington State Building Code amendments apply insofar as enforced within city boundaries.

  “Certain documents, copies of which are on file in the office of the building official of the city of Marysville, being marked and designated as the "2021 International Building Code" and the "2021 International Residential Code," and the "2021 International Building Code Standards," published by the International Code Council, except for the provisions in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section, are adopted as the building code of the city of Marysville”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Marysville city limits.

  • Residential uses remain subject to the applicable zone's allowed-use and development standards.

  “The residential zones implement the single-family and higher density residential goals and policies and land use plan map designations of the comprehensive plan.”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory dwelling units inside Marysville city limits.

  • Must comply with Chapter 22C.185.
  • Allowed only accessory to a detached single-family residence or middle housing; ADUs accessory to middle housing count toward the lot's allowed unit density.
  • In R-MHP, allowed only on single lots of record.

  “Must comply with the development standards in Chapter 22C.185 MMC. [...] Are only permitted accessory to a detached single-family residence or middle housing. Note: accessory dwelling units accessory to middle housing apply to the total allowed unit density for the lot.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits inside Marysville city limits.

  • Fees are valuation-based.
  • Plan-review fees are 65 percent of building-permit fees when plans or other data are required.
  • The code states additional stated surcharges, hourly charges, and valuation rules.

  minimum stated building-permit fee tier: 50 USD (Total valuation from $1.00 to $500.00.) · plan-review fee: 65 percent of building permit fee (When a plan or other data are required to be submitted.)

  “Building Permit Fees Table (based on valuation) Total Valuation | Fee $1.00 to $500.00 | $50.00”

• Permit processPartial

  Building plan review and building permits inside Marysville city limits.

  • When a plan or other data are required under IRC Section R108, the plan-review fee is due when plans and specifications are submitted.
  • A basic plan may be reused subject to the specified limitations.

  basic-plan subsequent permit review fee: 35 percent of building permit fee (No structural modifications or square-footage increases; additional engineering because of lot conditions requires a new plan.)

  “"Basic" plan review fees are 35 percent (35%) of the building permit fee for each subsequent permit application utilizing an established plan. No structural modifications or increases in square footage are allowed on a basic plan. If additional engineering review is required due to lot conditions, a new plan must be submitted for review.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Marysville or Snohomish County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Marysville city limits.
• Inspections — Building work inside Marysville city limits.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Marysville city limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Marysville city limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Marysville city limits.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Marysville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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