Code Amendments
Code Amendments
The Planning Department is responsible for amending and updating the City's land development regulations. Development regulations in the Snohomish Municipal Code are found within Title 14.Development regulations are intended to implement and be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan goals and policies. Proposed amendments to the development code are first considered at a public hearing by the Planning Commission, which makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council typically holds a second public hearing before taking action on a code amendment. All development code amendments are adopted by City Council ordinance.
Amendments to the development code may be initiated by the City Council, the Planning Commission, staff, or citizens.
Find links to our current codes on the Code Compliance page.
Affordable Housing Incentives
The Planning Commission is reviewing a proposal to repeal and replace Chapter 14.285 SMC, Low-Income Housing Incentives to revise, expand, and enhance incentives for construction of affordable housing units. The proposed draft adjusts eligibility requirements, terms, and the approval process, and provides expanded incentives, both regulatory and financial. The proposal includes a 10-foot reduction in the base building height allowance for the Midtown North zone; this is combined with a 10-foot building height incentive for inclusion of eligible affordable housing units.
Review the proposed code language:
The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on December 6, 2023. Visit the Agenda Center for more information, including how to attend the meeting.
Code Interpretations
The Land Use Development Code, Title 14 of the Snohomish Municipal Code (SMC), authorizes the Planning Director to interpret the code where it is unclear or contradictory. The Director is also authorized to determine whether a land use is allowed when that land use isn't specifically listed in any land use table.
The Director must issue a written interpretation to formalize that determination in order to establish a clear precedent. This authority and relevant rules for code interpretations are found in SMC 14.05.050 and SMC 14.207.060.