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1. What zone is my property located in?

There are 8-different zoning designations throughout the City of Sultan.  You can find the most current Land Use Zoning Map here.  To find out what you can do in your zone, look in the Sultan Municipal Code (SMC) 16.12 Permitted Uses.

2. Does my project need a permit?

Permit requirements depend on the scope and size of your project and zoning location. Please visit the Community Development Department for information regarding permissible uses for all zoning districts, setbacks, land use, and building permit requirements and applications.

A few things to remember:

• Whether you are a homeowner, small business owner or contractor, the process to obtain a permit will depend on the scope of your project.
• Find out what type of permit/approval you need or whether you even need a permit/approval for your project.
• Visit the Building Permit Applications and Handouts page for useful information that can help clarify building regulations, assist you with design specifications, and provide helpful building tips.
• Here is a list of items that do NOT require a permit:
  1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
  2. Fences not over 6’ high (Sultan requires a permit for fences).
  3. Oil derricks.
  4. Retaining walls that are not over 4’ in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
  5. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
  6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30” above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
  7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work.
  8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
  9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 that are less than 24” deep, does not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground.
  10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems.
  11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one and two-family dwellings.
  12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54” from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Group R-3 and U occupancies.
  13. Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, rack, counters, and partitions not over 5’ 9” in height.
  14. Residential roofing and siding repair. Does not include roof deck (plywood or skip sheathing or wall sheathing repair) 

  • Mechanical

    1. Portable heating appliance.
    2. Portable ventilation equipment.
    3. Portable cooling equipment.
    4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
    5. Portable evaporative cooler.
    6. Self- contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds of refrigerant or less and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less.
  • Plumbing
    1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and an inspection made a provided in the Uniform Plumbing Code.
    2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

3. Permitting your Manufactured or Mobile Home

New placement of manufactured homes within the city limits of Sultan requires a permit. Apply on the MyGov Permit Portal.

Any alterations, repairs or additions like carports, porches, and awnings to manufactured homes are permitted through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Please check the Department of Labor & Industries website to see if you need a permit. Simply checking the list of which alterations will require permits could save you time and money. You may not need a permit for the type of work you’re doing, or you may need a different kind of permit, especially if your project includes electrical work.

For more information about alterations or repairs, visit the Department of Labor and Industries website.

Is it manufactured or Mobile Home (PDF)

Your Manufactured/Mobile Home (PDF)

Your Manufactured/Mobile Home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Adding an addition - deck, awning, or porch to your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Adding or changing the openings to the exterior or centerline walls of your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Adding or changing the openings to the exterior or centerline walls of your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Changes to your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Installing sheetrock/drywall on the walls or ceilings of your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Installing sheetrock/drywall on the walls or ceilings of your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Installing solar panels on your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Installing solar panels on your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Repairing the floors in your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Repairing the floors in your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Replacing your roof of your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Replacing your roof of your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Repairing damaged trusses or rafters on your manufactured or mobile home (PDF)

Repairing damaged trusses or rafters on your manufactured or mobile home (Spanish Version) (PDF)

Replacing siding on your manufactured or mobile homes (PDF)

Replacing siding on your manufactured or mobile homes (Spanish Version) (PDF)

To see more brochures, click here:

4. Why do I need a permit?

Permits are required for a number of reasons:

• It’s the law. State building codes require that permits be obtained for certain types of work. Permits provide a legal record of work performed.
• Permits protect you, your family and your investment (they are designed to help ensure that licensed contractors do the work when required).
• Inspections ensure that work is done safely and that it meets the minimum code requirements.
• Minor problems that could lead to costly repairs, liability, and life/safety issues can be detected during permit inspections and brought to your attention before the situation worsens.
• When selling property, the buyer, realtor and/or lender may require that unpermitted work be corrected, properly permitted, and inspected before closing.
• Lack of permits and inspection approvals may void homeowner’s insurance.

5. Where can I get a permit?

All permitting is submitted on-line through the My Gov Permitting portal.

You can also call the Community Development Department at 360-793-2231.

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1. What is a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

A Housing Action Plan is a strategic plan about increasing housing options and choices in the city. The plan centers on community engagement. Provided input will guide the strategies and policies of the HAP.

2. Why are we doing a Housing Action Plan (HAP)?

This document will outline how the city can meet its housing needs and will be shaped by data and public input. The City opted to pursue this work and is committed to incorporating community voices into this plan.

3. When will the HAP be done?

The final HAP needs to be completed and adopted by June 2023. This deadline is based on grant guidelines.

4. How is the HAP funded?

The HAP is a state grant-funded effort that provides the opportunity to create an actionable policy document. The funding for this effort is provided via Washington State Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1923.

5. What are the steps for a HAP?

The HAP includes several key components, as listed below:

1. Housing Needs Assessment (HNA): A HNA involves compiling various data sources to create a baseline demographic picture of a community. completed in the spring of 2022
2. Housing Policy Framework Review 
3. Community Engagement: Grant requirements prescribe that residents and community members are given opportunities to provide input for this plan. late spring and summer of 2022
4. Draft Housing Action Plan (HAP): A draft HAP will be written and presented following the community outreach. This draft will incorporate community feedback, policy and code recommendations.
5. Review and Adoption: A formal review and public hearings processes will allow the HAP to be adopted by the grant mandated deadline of June 2023.

6. Who is representing the community for this effort?

Blueline asked the City to identify persons to sit on two different groups. One committee is made up of city stakeholders, like residents with neighborhood ties and community leaders. The second is comprised of housing professionals, persons like developers and real estate experts. Together these two groups provide a community perspective and a technical perspective of housing in the city. Lastly, the survey is available to all residents, and everyone is encouraged to submit responses. The survey results will also inform policy recommendations for the HAP.

7. What is a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA)?

A HNA is a document requirement for this grant effort. It serves as a baseline regarding housing and is a data-heavy document prepared before the HAP. The Sultan HNA was reviewed by City Council in May 2022. A copy of the HNA is found in the Additional Sources section of this webpage. 

8. Why is the data in the HNA from 2019?

The HNA is comprised of numerous data sources including the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey (ACS) which are all based on earlier (2019) findings. More recent, federal data was not available at the time this report was written. Although a Census was conducted in 2020, release of the data products has been delayed. You can read more about that here and here.

Also, bear in mind that the HNA data, in addition to the housing policy framework review and public engagement, are what guides the development of the HAP. The housing policy framework review evaluates current progress toward meeting the city’s housing element and the effectiveness of housing programs and policies. The public engagement process allows the community-at-large and key stakeholders to speak to the city’s more recent housing trends and needs. 

9. How does the HAP impact future city planning?

The HAP provides structure for updating the housing element of the comprehensive plan. Additionally, the HAP recommends actions and strategies around addressing the housing needs of the city. 

10. What are other cities doing for their HAPs?

Numerous cities received this grant funding, a complete list of these municipalities can be found on the Washington State Department of Commerce Planning for Housing website. 

11. What other planning is the City doing?

The City is also working on the Comprehensive Plan. Cities of certain sizes are required to plan per the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). RCW 36.70A.070(2) requires the following for a housing element (emphasis added for language changed since 1990):

(2) A housing element ensuring the vitality and character of established residential neighborhoods that:

(a) Includes an inventory and analysis of existing and projected housing needs that identifies the number of housing units necessary to manage projected growth;

(b) Includes a statement of goals, policies, objectives, and mandatory provisions for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing, including single-family residences;

(c) Identifies sufficient land for housing, including, but not limited to, government-assisted housing, housing for low-income families, manufactured housing, multifamily housing, and group homes and foster care facilities; and

(d) Makes adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community. In counties and cities subject to the review and evaluation requirements of RCW 36.70A.215, any revision to the housing element shall include consideration of prior review and evaluation reports and any reasonable measures identified.

The update of the Comprehensive Plan Housing Element will be largely based on the HAP work. 

HB 1923 requires the HAP to “review and evaluate the current housing element adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.070, including an evaluation of success in attaining planned housing types and units, the achievement of goals and policies, and implementation of the schedule of programs and actions.”

12. What are the City’s existing housing policies?

The 2011 Sultan Comprehensive Plan includes the following housing goals and policies:

GOALS

H 1       Manage Growth Potentials

H 2       Promote Housing Diversity

H 3       Housing-Design Concepts

H 4       Increase Center Viability

H 5       Best Housing Practices

H 6       Create Identity

POLICIES

H 1.1    Growth management priorities

H 1.2    Housing Variety

H 1.3    Preservation of existing housing

H 2.1    Innovative Land Use Planning

H 2.2    Housing choice

H 2.3    Clustering and Lot Averaging provisions

H 2.4    Manufactured housing

H 2.5    Higher density detached single family housing

H 2.6    Attached single-family housing

H 2.7    Multiple family housing

H 2.8    Mixed use housing

H 3.1    Smaller single-family lots

H 3.2    Cluster housing

H 3.3    Shared access

H 3.4    Quality housing

H 4.1    Moderate to higher density housing

H 4.2    Mixed use residential development

H 4.3    Support affordable housing within Sultan

H 5.1    Affordable housing development within Region

H 5.2    Permit Streamlining 

H 6.1    Neighborhood planning areas

H 6.2    Encourage low density development

13. What is affordable housing?

The term affordable housing refers to households spending less than 30% of the total household income on housing. Housing includes costs like rent, mortgage, insurance, and utilities. 

The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) defines affordable housing as:

(2) “Affordable housing” means, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, residential housing whose monthly costs, including utilities other than telephone, do not exceed thirty percent of the monthly income of a household:

(a) For rental housing, households whose income is 60% of the median household income adjusted for household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or

(b) For owner-occupied housing, households whose income is 80% of the median household income adjusted for household size, for the county where the household is located, as reported by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

14. Will the HAP force Sultan to meet quotas for housing, Section 8, or rent control, or to build low-income housing?

The grant requirements and the HAP do not establish mandates. Rather the HAP provides policy recommendations. Per the GMA, the City is required to ensure sufficient land to meet population targets established by the state. These requirements are independent of the HAP.

15. Will the HAP address the cost of housing?

The HAP will provide policy recommendations that may indirectly address housing costs. These recommendations may influence how and what kind of housing is built.

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1. Who do I call for a hostile fire that is endangering life or property?

Call 911, and the Fire District will respond.

2. What kind of outdoor fires are legal?

Recreational Fires

Fires no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet by 2 feet in size do not require a permit. By definition, recreational fires are cooking fires, campfires, and bonfires using charcoal or firewood that occur in designated areas or on private property for cooking, pleasure, or ceremonial purposes. Fires used for the purpose of debris disposal are not considered recreational fires.

Fires with a Valid Burn Permit

Fires outside the City’s Urban Growth Area (PDF), may qualify for a residential burn permit to burn a burn pile no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet by 3 feet. Residential burning means the outdoor burning of leaves, clippings, pruning waste, and other yard and gardening refuse originating on lands immediately adjacent and in close proximity to a human dwelling and burned on such lands by the property owner or his or her designee.

3. How do I get a burn permit?

It is illegal to burn without a permit in Snohomish County outside of a recreational food fire. To obtain a residential or land clearing permit, contact the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3557.

4. How do I know if there is a burn ban?

Contact the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3508 to listen to their automated burn ban information line. There is also a link on the Snohomish County Fire District 5 website.

5. What kind of fire is illegal?

Illegal fires include:

• Fires other than recreational food fires located inside the Urban Growth Area (PDF)
• Fires where there is no valid permit to burn
• Fires containing garbage, processed wood products, construction materials, or burn barrels are all illegal fires (permits are only issued for the burning of natural vegetation)

6. Who is the enforcement agency for illegal fires?

The enforcement agency for an illegal fire that affects clean air quality is the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The enforcement agency for fires during a burn ban for fire danger is the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal.

7. Who do I call for an illegal fire that affects air quality?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

8. Who do I call for an illegal fire inside the Urban Growth Area?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

9. Who do I call for a fire that is not permitted?

Do not call 911. Call Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at 800-552-3565 or 206-343-8800 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also call the Office of the Snohomish County Fire Marshal at 425-388-3557.

10. Where can I go for further information concerning outdoor burning in Snohomish County?

For more information about outdoor burning, please visit the Snohomish County website's Outdoor Burning page.

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1. Do I need an appointment to submit a permit?

All land use permits (subdivisions, conditional use permits, grading permits, etc.) require a submittal appointment. Please call Cyd Donk at 360-793-1099 or email Cyd to schedule an appointment. No appointment is required to submit a pre-application request or to submit an appeal of a previous decision.

2. How long do reviews take?

First review of land use permit applications typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to complete our review and send a response to the applicant. Subsequent reviews usually take 3 to 4 weeks. These timelines may vary based on the complexity of the project, the quality of the submitted information, and the Department’s workload.

3. Who do I contact for civil inspections?

For civil (grading or utility) inspections, please submit your request through our online form found here: Civil Inspection Request Form.

Inspections must be requested through the online format least 24 hours before the inspection is needed. Phone requests will no longer be accepted. If for any reason you are not ready for inspection after a request has been made, you must call (360) 793-2262 to cancel the inspection. Due to the workload of our inspectors, we cannot always schedule inspections for a specific time, but staff will make every effort to be available at a convenient time.

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1. ? Will there be signage on US 2 directing people to the park?

• No, the City will only have signage from Sultan Basin Road to the park.

2. ? Will there be crosswalks?

The City is painting three crosswalks in the summer of 2021 on Sultan Basin Road.

3. ? Where is the funding to maintain the park?

• This park would be maintained by Public Works staff and created with low maintenance in mind, i.e., asphalt parking and trails.

4. ? What will the City do to secure the park at night?

• The City will install signs indicating the park hours and that no overnight parking will be allowed. The City will also install a gate like the one installed at Reese Park.

5. ? Request for clarification on the contract the Council is reviewing at their April 8th meeting.

• The contract before the Council is approval for a 100% concept design of the park.

Posted 4/6/2021

6. ? Request for immediate traffic impact study prior to design review.

• Public Works staff will set up a speed trailer to track current traffic to the neighborhood. With the pandemic and some residents not leaving for the office this will not necessarily provide an accurate count of traffic to the area. A formal traffic study will be done in the future. Once the design work begins, 30% and 60% design completion documents will be posted to the City website.

Posted 4/6/2021

7. ? A resident has concerns regarding the use of the stormwater pond single-lane gravel access road to the South of the Hammer Property

• Public Works staff will be setting up bollards and a cable to address this issue. It needs to remain accessible by City staff only.

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1. What is the Shoreline Master Program?

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is a collection of policies and regulations that the city uses to guide development in the shoreline areas within Sultan’s jurisdiction. The shoreline areas are 200 feet upland of designated state shorelines. Sultan has three shorelines of state significance; the Sultan River, the Skykomish River, and a small portion of the Wallace River on the east side of town.

2. Why is the city updating the Shoreline Master Program?

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) was last updated in 2008. Jurisdictions routinely update their SMPs to ensure they are working as intended.

3. What changes are planned?

The City is making a series of technical changes to comply with recommendations from the Department of Ecology. These changes are largely to adopt our regulations to state level codes changes. We are also making changes to how Shoreline Variances and Shoreline Conditional Use Permits are reviewed and approved. Additional changes can be included if we hear a change is needed from the citizen. That is why it is important that we hear from you if you are affected by these regulations.

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1. What services does the City of Sultan bill for?

The City of Sultan bills monthly for the following services:

• Garbage
• Recycling
• Sewer
• Stormwater
• Water

Republic Services will bill you directly if you request yard waste services. You can contact Republic Services at 1-800-942-5965.

2. When are my bills due?

Utility bills are due within 15 days of the statement date and are considered delinquent after 30 days. Any utility bill not paid in full by the 30th day will be subject to late fees on water or sewer amounts still owed. Should an account become delinquent by two months, the customer will receive a payment reminder which informs them that they must bring the account current by a specific day or be disconnected without further notice. Once service is disconnected for such non-payment, a $50 disconnect charge will be applied to the account, and the customer will be required to pay the account in full in order to have service reconnected.

3. Can I make payment arrangements on my utility billing?

Customers are limited to one payment arrangement every 12 months, which must result in the account being brought current within 180 days. The customer must come into City Hall and fill a payment arrangement form prior to water shut-off. If customer is a tenant, the property owner or manger must also approve the payment arrangement.

4. How can I pay my utility bill?

How can I pay my City utility bill? Let me count the ways.

1)  In person with Cash, Check, Credit, or Debit Card located at 319 Main Street, Sultan, WA 98294 (no fee to pay with debit or credit).

2)  Mail a check or money order to PO Box 1199, Sultan, WA 98294

3)  Drop Box a check or money order in one of two drop box locations.

     *  There is one located at the post office outside the main entrance and an other in City Hall just inside the entrance doors on Main Street.

4)  Online with Credit, Debit, or Checking Account at  https://sultanwa.merchanttransact.com/default.aspx - (no fee for this service)

     * This service allows you to sign up for electronic statements or automatic payments

5)  Via phone with Credit, Debit, or Checking Account by calling (360) 799-3007. (no fee for this service).

If you have questions, please contact City Hall at 360.793.2231

5. I had a water leak. Can I receive an adjustment?

Currently, the City of Sultan does not have a leak relief program in place. Should you incur excess water charges due to a leak situation, you may contact City Hall to set up a payment arrangement agreement.