Off-grid site report

Snohomish County, WA

47.9172, -122.2360 · 561 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Snohomish County, WA, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.

The local rulesSnohomish County, WA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallySnohomish County has countywide zoning under SCC Title 30 (rural zones like Rural-5 Acre, Rural Diversification, and resource zones like Forestry or Agriculture-10). Buildability and permitted uses depend entirely on the specific parcel's zone, so PDS must be asked directly.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyCounty code defines RVs as temporary, transient living quarters rather than permanent dwellings, so long-term standalone RV living outside an approved park is not confirmed as allowed. Mobile/manufactured homes are permitted with L&I inspecting the factory-built unit and PDS handling the foundation/land use. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedPDS administers the state building code locally; small non-habitable structures under set size thresholds can skip a permit but must still meet setback and environmental rules. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Snohomish County Health Department issues septic/OSS permits under state WAC rules and the county Board of Health code; any home without public sewer access must have an approved system. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo distinct Snohomish County greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under the statewide WAC 246-274 framework administered through the county Health Department, so this needs direct confirmation with SCHD.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedCounty code explicitly permits commercial rooftop rainwater harvesting systems, and residential catchment is encouraged as a stormwater best-management practice; using it as drinking water triggers Health Department treatment/testing requirements. source
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyWell permitting varies by Water Resource Inventory Area; the county restricts new permit-exempt wells inside unincorporated Urban Growth Areas following the state's Hirst decision and RCW 90.94, with siting reviewed by the county then Washington State Department of Ecology. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance bans off-grid power, but PDS building permits require proof of an adequate potable water source and an approved septic system if not on public sewer, so full utility disconnection still runs through county approval for water and waste. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
3.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
1.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,026 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
36 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,096 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Mar 10 to Nov 20

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Kaiser Permanente Redmond Medical Center at Riverpark
17.6 mi
Fire station
Everett Fire Station 5
1.8 mi
Hardware store
MacDaniels Do-It Center
6.8 mi
Grocery
Grocery Outlet
0.8 mi

From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.

Plan this spot

These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 98204).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.