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1. What are my setbacks?

Setbacks are the minimum distance (measured in feet) from a building to the front, side and rear property lines or any other lot line to the nearest structure placed on the property, excluding eaves of less than 24 inches. Jefferson County’s minimum rear and side setbacks are 5 feet. Generally, Jefferson County’s setbacks are:

• 20 feet from minor collectors or local access
• 20 feet from private roads and ingress/egress easements
• 30 feet from any major collector roads
• 35 feet from any minor arterial roads
• 50 feet from any principal arterial roads

For more details, please review our: 

• Setbacks Brochure
• Critical Areas Buffers Brochure
• Single Family Residence Brochure

 

2. What is my zoning? What does it allow?

All parcels in the county are zoned for specific uses. There are 2 ways to view the zoning for the parcel you are interested in:

• For a quick view of zoning in a particular area in Eastern Jefferson County, view our Eastern Jefferson County Zoning map (this is a small map)
• For a quick view of zoning in a particular area in either Eastern or Western Jefferson County (this is a larger, more comprehensive map)
• For an interactive view of the zoning, click on this link to be taken to our interactive map and type the parcel number or address in the search bar.

Please refer to section 18.15.040 of the UDC (Unified Development Code) for the County for the definitions of the each of the zoning designations.

3. How many homes can I build on my property and what size?

The County allows parcels zoned Rural Residential 1:5 (RR 1:5), Rural Residential 1:10 (RR 1:10),an Rural Residential 1:20 (RR 1:20) to have:

• a house of any size (subject to land use limitations), plus 
• one (1) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that's 1,250 square feet or less (including garages and basements).

You can learn more about specific land uses by reviewing the chart in our Unified Development Code (UDC) in section 18.15.040.

If you are planning on purchasing any land and/or a home in Jefferson County, we highly recommend that you speak with a Land Use Planner (using the CAM process), especially if the parcel is on shoreline or on or near any critical areas. 

4. What permits are on my property?

Permits for any parcel can be found by visiting our Permit Database Search Tool. Once there, you can type in the parcel number or address to research all permits applied for and/or issued for a property.

Helpful Hints

• If a case is available for online viewing, the words "View LaserFiche Documents" will appear. Click on the words "View LaserFiche Documents" to view the scanned file.
  
• Cases are not scanned until they are finaled. If you would like to view a case file in process, please submit a Public Records Request and the file will be scanned and a link to the scanned documents provided to you.
• Not all finaled cases have been scanned. If you would like to view a case that has been finaled and not scanned, please submit a Public Records Request and the file will be scanned and a link to the scanned documents provided to you. 
• For the Road Name search, you do not have to provide the entire street name; the beginning of the street name will suffice.

5. Can I build a tiny home?

Building a tiny home as a residence is the same as a “regular” home (see brochure). The home needs to be sited outside any critical area buffers like streams and geohazardous areas (like landslide-prone areas). You would also need to hook it up to a septic system and have potable water. Check with Environmental Health on septic and water requirements at (360) 385-9444. If you have questions about the construction of the home, contact our Building Plans Examiner at (360) 379-4461.

Here’s a link to Labor and Industries regarding tiny homes: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/manufactured-modular-mobile-structures/tiny-homes/. 

6. Can I build a yurt?

Canvas yurts can be permitted as a temporary living structure, such as seasonal camping, but may not contain a heating element or plumbing and have size restrictions. In order for a yurt to meet code and be allowed, it must be less than 500 sq feet, unheated and unplumbed and only used for temporary use, such as camping. Yurts, built using a standard canvas exterior over a wooden frame, are not able to meet energy code for heat retention and do not meet the requirements for fire, life and safety and therefore are not permissible as a residence. With these guidelines, a yurt can be permitted along with the platform or decking it will be built upon. 

Hard-sided yurts are permitted so long as they meet energy code. Pre-engineered kits are available from online resources.

Please refer to Chapter 31 in the International Building Code (IBC) regarding Special Construction for more information.