Chickens outside city limits- Snohomish County, Wa

[Stephanie8806]

That's always a good idea because it's still a structure. In many areas smaller coops don't require permits, however adding electric or plumbing might require it.

Yeah that’s what I’m figuring. We aren’t planning to plumb, and I think at most we’d have a small solar powered fan. No real electrical

 

[The Lazy L]

I may just do that. I’m also curious about if I’ll need a permit for the coop. I’m planning on building it elevated, so no solid foundation... but it will definitely be built to last. Basically an elevated garden shed. Don’t think it will be too big a problem, but probably best to check

In my part of the U.S. a building permit is not need if there isn't a foundation under the building, building is "portable".

A coop on 4x4 "skids" (within the red circles on the picture below) so that it could be moved (by flat bed truck!) would not require a building permit either.

 

[Stephanie8806]

In my part of the U.S. a building permit is not need if there isn't a foundation under the building, building is "portable".

A coop on 4x4 "skids" (within the red circles on the picture below) so that it could be moved (by flat bed truck!) would not require a building permit either.

View attachment 1681153

What if it was an elevated coop? Not on skids, per say, but above the ground built on posts that were rooted in the ground?

 

[rosemarythyme]

My zoning says any structure under 200 sq ft doesn't need a permit, permanent or not. So it can vary a lot from place to place. That's why you need to find out from the Snohomish Co. what they require. It's probably a fairly common question they get since people want to add sheds, playhouses, garages all the time.

 

[Derrick83]

What if it was an elevated coop? Not on skids, per say, but above the ground built on posts that were rooted in the ground?

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to provide an answer as I just found it myself after locating this thread via Google search. I'd like to confirm some things that have been stated here an also answer other questions left hanging.

1) Snohomish county does not have limits on the amount of chickens as long as they are for the personal consumption/use of the occupants of the property.
2) The FAQ answer regarding the coop requirements was incorrect. I find this comical considering that it was posted by the county.
3) The coop does NOT need to be 30 feet or more from the property line. That FAQ quoted part of the code from Unified Development Code for "Small Animal Husbandry". The county defines that term as a list of animals NOT for the primary consumption/use of the occupants of the premises.
4) The coop would be considered a non-habitable structure and therefore would not require a permit up to 200 sqft.