Frequently Asked Questions

The Snohomish County Health Code gives the Health Department license to enact local regulations in addition to state rules. It includes rules that help maintain public health and safety in the county. It covers topics like solid waste, food safety, wastewater, and other regulated environments.

Our local Health Code was first adopted in 1957, and since then, updates have been made in small steps by a range of authors. This project will involve a full review of all the current regulations to ensure they meet modern needs and address emerging issues. In areas that are lacking, new rules and regulations will be proposed.

The Snohomish County Health Code plays a role in many areas of life that may affect you on a daily basis. It includes regulations for food establishments, septic and wastewater systems, and drinking water and wells. It also protects the environment and water quality of our lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound. There are other components of the code that address safety in spaces like schools, pools, and camps. It is likely that at least one area of the Health Code affects you or your community.

Health Code ordinances are passed through the Snohomish County Board of Health. This is different from the Snohomish County Code, which oversees all County operations and is passed through Snohomish County Council. Learn more about the Snohomish County Board of Health.

There are generally three types of code revisions that we are considering. In some cases, Snohomish County must update local codes in response to state-level changes. In other cases, proposed changes are the result of feedback from community members and Health Department staff. There are also changes that bring Snohomish County into parity with surrounding health districts.

Public comments are one tool of many to capture your feedback. To ensure we can best use the information you provide to inform decision-making, please consider the following tips when giving feedback:

1. Don’t worry about putting your comments into specific regulatory terminology. We want to hear about the things that are most important to you in your own words.
2. Share your connection to the topic or issue, your lived experience, personal background, or unique insight.
3. Keep your comments clear and concise. Be as specific as you can and provide concrete examples of your concern.
4. Remember that we can only make changes that are in line with the Health Department’s scope and legal authority. We cannot grant exceptions to state or federal regulations.