Annexations

What is an annexation?

Annexation is the process to add unincorporated areas into the City limits. Areas for annexation have to be adjacent to existing City limits and meet criteria established by State law. Only land within the urban growth area may be annexed by a City. Rural areas cannot be annexed.

Click here to see a map of the City's annexation history.

Annexations can be done by: 
  • a petition of property owners, 
  • a vote by registered voters,  
  • a petition of voters and property owners, or
  • through an interlocal agreement between the City and the County.

Generally the level of service increases with annexation into a city. Snohomish is a full-service city government, providing police, water and sewer utilities, parks, land use planning, and building permit services.

What is the direct petition method?

The direct petition method has historically been the one most commonly used in Snohomish. This method is initiated by a private party, who circulates a petition to property owners in the annexation area to request annexation. Signatures representing at least 10% of the assessed value of the area in question must be on the petition to move forward. The City Council will then decide in a public meeting whether or not to proceed with the annexation.

The petitioners must then gather signatures representing 60% of the assessed value of the area. After this is submitted, the City Council holds a public hearing, listens to both proponents and opponents of the annexation, assesses the merits (costs, benefits, the ability to provide services, etc.), and, if they wish to continue, they pass a resolution expressing their intent to annex the area.

The resolution goes to the Snohomish County Boundary Review Board (BRB) for review. The BRB advertises the annexation and waits 45 days for anyone with standing to request a public hearing. If requested, the BRB holds an hearing and decides whether the annexation meets their criteria for approval. If so, they approve the annexation; if not, annexation is denied.

If it is approved, and ordinance is adopted by the City Council to effect the annexation. The annexation becomes effective five days after publication of the ordinance or as otherwise set.

What is the interlocal agreement method?

The interlocal agreement method (ILA method) is a new method of annexation, recently added to the statute to avoid illogical municipal boundaries or islands. This method is jointly initiated by the City and the County through an adopted agreement that sometimes includes other parties, such as special purpose districts, if they are located within the annexation area. Under this method, both agencies must hold their own separate public hearing before the annexation can be adopted. The benefits of this method, in addition to better and more logical boundaries, are that both agencies coordinate early and often to work out issues such as road maintenance, code enforcement issues, and transitioning active permits. 

What is the election method?

The election method is initiated by the city and goes to the voters for approval. The voters are presented with a description of t he area proposed for annexation and the number of voters in the area. This method is often used in other areas, but has rarely been used in Snohomish.

How do I initiate an annexation to the City?

Annexation applications must include a Land Use Application, a petition signed by property owners representing 10% of the value of the area, a map and legal description of the area, and a list of property owners. Contact Planning & Development Services at 360-568-3115 with questions about the forms, and for additional information.

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