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 Know

Code 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: PDS Map Portal Property Summary Search Assessor’s Office Mapping FAQ Assessor's Office: 425-388-3433
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: Harvey Airfield \| 360-568-1541 Paine Field \| 425-388-5125
Air Quality	Report to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency \| 800-552-3565: Asbestos Business - visible emission Dust nuisance Gasoline station nozzle leak Odor nuisance Residential chimney smoke
Animals and wildlife	Report to: Snohomish County Animal Services \| 425-388-3440 Report a barking dog or other animal nuisance Report neglect, animals at large, or dangerous animals Animal Services FAQ WA Department of Fish & Wildlife \| 360-902-2936, Option 1 Nuisance Wildlife Habitat Recovery/Protection
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 Addt’l resources and info for outdoor burning, contact PSCAA Burn bans enacted by DNR for wildfire concerns and other information, visit DNR Burn Portal Report violations to local Fire Dept Snohomish County Burn Permits information
Businesses - illegal residential businesses and home occupations	Verify if there is a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. See Home Occupations Assistance Bulletin #10 For code or permitting questions, contact Ask Permit Tech Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form
Clearing, fill, and grading/land disturbing activities complaints and concerns	Complaints or concerns regarding permitted projects: To verify if a project has a permit, use the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. For permitted projects, call 425-388-3311 and ask to speak with the inspector for that project. Permit Exemptions and FAQ Complaints regarding clearing, fill, and grading without permits: Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form
Code, permitting, zoning, setback, building and land use code questions, and questions about permit status, allowable use, etc.	Contact Ask Permit Tech Assistance Bulletins Permit Exemptions FAQ *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: To verify if a project has a permit, use the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. For permitted projects, call 425-388-3311 and ask to speak with the inspector for that project. For mud on the road due to construction traffic, report directly to Sheriff’s Office and Surface Water Management. Electrical Work - report illegal work, obtain electrical permits, and get electrical code information at Washington State L&I. Complaints regarding building or construction without permits: Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form
COVID-19 violations by individuals, groups, or businesses	Visit Snohomish County Health Department for information
Critical Area violations (flood hazard, shoreline, wetland, etc.)	Verify if a project has a permit by using the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. Critical area code and permitting questions—contact Ask Permit Tech Report critical area 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 Mediation Dispute Resolution Center
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. For more detailed code and permitting questions—contact Ask a 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 Call 911 for emergencies Non-emergency, please call 425-407-3999
Dumping, illegal dumping	Report to: In or near a body of water, call 425-388-6481 to reach Conservation and Natural Resources Surface Water Management Division Water Quality Hotline. Adjacent to a roadway, call 425-388-7500 to reach the County’s Road Maintenance Division. On public or private property, call 425-339-5250 to reach Snohomish County Health Department.
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, electrical 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? 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 that you can mail back to us. Letter, Invoice, Citation, Warning notice, or Notice of Violation If you have received a letter or violation notice, please contact your assigned Code Enforcement Officer directly. General Code Enforcement Questions & Coordinator: 425-388-3650 Code Enforcement Team
Fences	Civil Matter – spite fences, fence location disputes and property line disputes. *PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters.* Fence Permits Fence Code Questions
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 Check FPA permits Snohomish County See Assistance Bulletin #92 (Class IV Forest Practices – General Permit) To verify if a project has a permit, use the PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. Code and permitting questions—contact Ask Permit Tech
Garbage and trash	Report to Snohomish County Health Department (425-339-5200) for: Uncontained putrescible garbage or excessive amounts of animal waste that attracts flies or rodents Illegal dumping on private or public property without the owner's permission Burning of non-vegetative materials (can also be reported to local *Fire Department*) Improper hazardous waste storage
Garbage cans/collection containers	*PDS Code Enforcement does not handle complaints regarding collection containers.* Cans in ROW or blocking access: If cans are in the right-of-way or blocking access, report to the Sheriff's Office.
Graffiti	Report to Sheriff’s Office Non-Emergency line at 425-407-3999
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, people living in cars	Report to Sheriff’s Office of Neighborhoods
Illicit Sewage Discharge	Report to Snohomish Health District \| 425-339-5250 Examples of illicit sewage discharge include: Sewage discharging directly onto the ground. Improper discharge or surfacing of sewage from broken or damaged side sewer lines. Failure or malfunction of an on-site sewage system that results in the illicit discharge of sewage. Recreational vehicles (RVs) discharging sewage to the ground. Sewage discharging from a pipe or conveyance line to the ground surface or surface water.
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 County Health Department 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, mold, rodents, building repairs or maintenance issues, lease or rental agreements, etc.* Report to Landlord/Tenant’s Union at 425-339-1335 Additional Resources VOAA Dispute Resolution Center
Light - bright light or light pollution	Residential Civil Issue—PDS Code Enforcement does not handle civil matters Commercial/Business Report violations to our PDS Code Enforcement team using the Investigation Request form
Mobile homes, illegal placement	Verify if a current permit is on file by using our PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. See Assistance Bulletin #36 Mobile home code or permitting questions--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 County Health Department 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: "Day" or "daytime," for the purposes of this chapter, means the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on weekends. 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: Parking & Traffic Complaints If the incident is occurring now, call 911 Sheriff’s Non-Emergency line* \| 425-407-3999 For parking in fire lanes on a *private road within a development* *only, report to our PDS Code Enforcement* team using the Investigation Request form
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. For more detailed code and permitting information, contact Ask Permit Tech Assistance Bulletins Permit Exemptions FAQ
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. See Retaining Walls Assistance Bulletin #40 Retaining wall code questions and permitting—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 County Health Department for resources and referrals
RVs (recreational vehicles) and travel trailers - occupied or multiple RV’s on property	See RV Assistance Bulletin #53 RV code questions—contact Ask Permit Tech 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 County Health Department \| 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 For obstructions in the street blocking access, call 911. For obstructions on the side of the street/in right-of-way, report to Right-of-Way \| 425-388-6453
Setback - building setback violations	Verify if a project has a permit by using our PDS Map Portal or contact Ask Permit Tech. Setback, zoning, and permitting questions—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 Traffic lights and street lights – for questions and comments contact Public Works No Parking Signs Obtain no parking sign – contact Traffic Operations at 425-388-3610 Parking complaints – report online to Sheriff’s Office Remove no parking sign – contact Road Maintenance at 425-388-7500
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 Hazardous tree or tree code and permitting questions--contact Ask Permit Tech
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 Team

FAQ - See Assistance Bulletin #51

Online Complaint Form

Print or 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.

Complaint Information

All complaints must be submitted using our Investigation Request form. Complaints that are not submitted using our form cannot be processed.
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.
Can I file a complaint anonymously? Read our FAQ.
An exact street address or parcel number is required.
Submit one complaint per address/parcel number.

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.