Frequently Asked Questions

Email bothell@recology.com or call 425-453-0220. You can also visit Recology's website for answers to commonly asked questions, rate information, waste sorting guides, and more.

You may report a missed collection at this link. You may also call Recology at (425) 453-0220, or email them at bothell@recology.com, to be connected with their customer service team.

Beginning in 2024, a new fee will be imposed by King County to cover the increasing costs of running the county’s landfill and transfer stations. As part of the rate restructuring, the FAC will be paired with a lower per-ton tipping fee, meaning the county will be collecting the same amount of revenue as before. This charge will be passed through to the County by Recology and applies to all garbage customers in City of Bothell; Recology will not retain these funds. Recology and the City of Bothell decided to make these charges visible on your garbage bill in the interest of transparency.

For more information, please visit: kingcounty.gov/FAC.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a suite of software and best practices for working with spatial data (data that have a location component). Using a GIS, we can visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends. These insights can help improve communication, efficiency, management, decision-making, and more. To learn more about GIS, you can start with this explanation from Esri or this article on GIS Lounge. You may also visit our Helpful Links page to connect with additional GIS resources in our region and beyond.

You may email any questions or feedback you have to GISRequest@bothellwa.gov or to Daryn Brown, GIS Supervisor (daryn.brown@bothellwa.gov)

Yes, with limited access, but all dogs must be on a leash and you are required to pick up after your dog. Read Bothell’s Parks and Leash Laws.

LIMITED ACCESS INFORMATION

Bothell Municipal Code 8.60.240 Pets in Park Facilities:  A.  Dogs, pets or domestic animals are not permitted on any designated swimming beach, sports fields, picnic or play areas in any Bothell park or in any building unless specifically permitted by posting: provided, that this section shall not apply to the use of a trained animal by a disabled person.

The parks and recreation staff will pick-up any lost items and bring them to the parks maintenance area. If you have lost something, email recreation@bothellwa.gov.

Call 425-806-6760 or email recreation@bothellwa.gov.

Check out our Hometown Celebration  event page for all the details about participating in or viewing our annual Fourth of July Parade and Pancake Feed.

If your zip code is 98011, you are a City resident. If your zip code is 98012 or 98021, you may or may not be a City resident. To know for certain, enter your address into COBMap.

Picnic shelters can be booked online on our website. Shelters are available at Blyth Park, Cedar Grove Park, and Centennial Park in half day or full day increments. 

For more information about upcoming sponsorship opportunities, please contact Parks & Recreation at recreation@bothellwa.gov. 

You must reside in the city of Bothell and provide photo identification with your current address.  

See detailed information, including  our hours of service, necessary forms and  fees.

The Bothell Police Department does not provide fingerprinting services.  There are local companies, not affiliated with Bothell Police, that provide fingerprinting services.

See additional details on our CPL information page.

The Property and Evidence Section frequently receives items found by citizens. Most common items include bicycles, key rings, backpacks, wallets, and purses. An appointment is required to claim property.  

Please call the Bothell Police business line 425-486-1254

If you'd like to claim any property that you found,   you are required  to do the following: 

Within 7 days of the finding:  

• Acquire a signed statement with an appraisal of the current market value of the property.  This statement must be prepared by a qualified person who engages in buying or selling like items, or by a district court judge.  If the found property is cash, a signed statement is not required. 
• Bring the found property and a copy of the signed appraisal to the Bothell Police Department.
• Serve written notice to the Bothell Police Department of your intent to claim the property in the event the real owner does not claim the property.

You may claim the found property if:

• The property is not illegal for you to possess.  
• 60 days have elapsed since you reported the finding to the Bothell Police Department. The property must be claimed between 60 and 90 days of the finding.
• You provide proof that all items listed above have been satisfied.

If the property is valued at more than $25, cash payment is made to the City of Bothell in the amount of $5 or 10% of the appraised value of the property, whichever is greater. 

This payment shall be deposited into the City of Bothell's General Fund.  

For additional information, or questions related to found property, call the Property/Evidence officer of the Bothell Police Department at 425-487-5130.

The above requirements are set by Washington State Law. 

Read RCW 63.21.010

To compliment or file a complaint with the Police Department, please fill out a Police Services Feedback Form and a Bothell Police Department staff member will follow up with you.

Access the Police Services Feedback Form.

Bothell Police fully supports the public's right to access public records, in accordance with Washington State laws and its Public Records Act.  Our webpage offers detailed information about filing a public records request.

Learn about filing a public records request with Bothell Police.

Read the Washington State Public Records Act.

The Bothell Police Community Room is available for public use during evening hours, Monday through Friday. 

 Please print and complete a request form for each date and time you would like to reserve the room.  

Access the reservation-request form.

If this is an emergency, Please call 911.  

Our non-emergency dispatch number is 425-577-5656.   

Our business line is 425-486-1254.  The business line is a recorded message that will give you several options to route your call. 

Specific officers may not be available when you call,  as they work varied schedules.  These varied shifts and schedules make it possible for our department to serve the Bothell community 24 hours a day,  365 days a year. 

Copies of accident reports are available to involved parties.  Requests can be made in per or online.  It is extremely helpful for you to reference your case number.  If you have questions, please call 425-487-5126 or 425-487-5120 to speak with a Public Records Specialist.

Yes!  You can (voluntarily) complete and return this Special Needs Alert form.  

The Bothell Police Department worked closely with community partners, including the Alyssa Burnett Center, to create this way for families and individuals to voluntarily share helpful or important information with first responders in Bothell.   Please read the form for additional details. 

Yes!  In the interest of transparency and partnership with our community,  Bothell Police Policies are always available online, for the public to read. 

Read the Bothell Police Policies.  

Yes! We welcome your interest and invite you to learn about our officer training and Bothell Police Policies.  

For information about pet licensing, please visit the animal services page.

If you're in immediate danger, please call 911.  Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling, abusive behavior - emotional, sexual, or physical. It is a pattern that can be prevented and it can be stopped. It is something that can happen to anyone. Learn more and create your Safety Plan.

If you have been the victim of identity theft, please contact Bothell Police.  

• Call 911 for emergencies.   
• Our non-emergency dispatch number is 425-577-5656.  
• Our business line is 425-486-1254.  

For additional information about identity theft, please visit the Federal Trade Commission web page dedicated to identity theft and resources.

Information about registered sex offenders is available on our web page. 

Contact the Bothell Police business line: 425-486-1254  

If this is an emergency, please call 911.   Dispatch non-emergency:  425-577-5656.

You are required to complete a Washington State Accident report if there was no police report taken and the damage from the accident exceeds $700.

Washington State Accident Report forms are available from any Police Department. You can pick one up during business hours at the Bothell Police Department. You can also find the form online on the

If this is an emergency,  please call 911.   For information related to pets in Bothell, please visit our Animal Services page. 

If this is an emergency, please call 911.  For information related to wildlife,  please review the resources available at  Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife or see the City of Bothell Animal Services, Wildlife page.

If you have an emergency, please call 911.  For non-emergency police services, call 425-577-5656.   You can also reach Bothell Police through the business line:  425-486-1254.  Some non-emergency crimes can also be reported online.  Please see online crime reporting.

Level 1: The vast majority of registered sex offenders are classified as Level 1 offenders. They are considered at low risk to re-offend. These individuals may be first time offenders and they usually know their victims.

Level 2: Level 2 offenders have a moderate risk of re-offending. They generally have more than one victim and the abuse may be long term. These offenders usually groom their victims and may use threats to commit their crimes. These crimes may be predatory with the offender using a position of trust to commit their crimes. Typically these individuals do not appreciate the damage they have done to their victims.

Level 3: High Risk  Level 3 offenders are considered to have a high risk to re-offend. They usually have one or more victims and may have committed prior crimes of violence. They may not know their victim(s). The crime may show a manifest cruelty to the victim(s) and these offenders usually deny or minimize the crime. These offenders commonly have clear indications of a personality disorder.

Please see this document to determine whether or not you need a permit to remove a tree on private property, whose responsibility a tree in the right of way is, and more information about tree retention.

Inspection requests are made through permits.bothellwa.gov.  All requests will be logged and assigned to a City Inspector. For next business day inspection requests, inspections must be scheduled by 4pm of previous business day.

In general, new construction, remodels or repairs to existing structures or systems require a permit.

Other projects which may require a permit include:

• Replacing a water heater or a furnace
• Working in the right-of-way
• Modifications such as removing/adding walls in tenant spaces, or removing/altering backflow devices

Please see the Single Family Addition and Remodel (PDF) checklist. All applications for permit are online through www.MyBuildingPermit.com. 

Please see the Residential Deck / Porch Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF). All permit applications are through www.MyBuildingPermit.com.  Decks which are accessory to single family residences and are not more than 30 inches above grade (and not over any basement or story, nor part of an accessible route) do not require a permit, but still need to meet zoning requirements for setbacks.

Also, see available deck construction tip sheets at: Guidelines and Tip Sheets | MBP (mybuildingpermit.com).

For Building permits, the Permit Fee and Plan Review Fee are based on valuation (market labor and material costs, or square footage multiplier from the latest ICC Valuation Table). Multi-family and non-residential Mechanical and Plumbing permit fees are also based on valuation.

Please also see: Building Fees, Land Use and Planning Fees, Public Works Fees, and Impact Fees.

Please see BMC 20.02.095 or the Work Exempt from Permit (PDF) form.

Please see our Permit Processing Timelines form. Many permit applications require more than one review cycle, in order to make corrections on the plans or to add additional information on the plans, to demonstrate compliance with code and provide detailed information for construction.

Permits are required to be obtained in order to have your construction plans reviewed for code compliance prior to starting the work, and also to have the work inspected. You are responsible for obtaining all required inspections on your permit. Don't forget to get a final inspection.

Also:

It’s a health and safety issue.

• Permit review allows code experts to reduce potential hazards from unsafe construction.
• Mandatory inspections act as a system of checks and balances focused on complying with city codes.

It’s also a money issue.

• Proper permitting helps protect property values.
• More and more, property insurers aren’t covering damages caused by work done without permits and inspections.
• Disclosure of any improvements or repairs is required at sale, whether or not permits and inspections were obtained.
• Many financial institutions won’t finance a purchase without proof of a final inspection.
• Without a permit, work may be subject to removal or other costly remedies.

The City’s Permit Services Counter is located at City Hall, 18415 101st Avenue Northeast. The Permit Center in-person counter hours are Monday - Thursday: 8am-noon and 1pm-4pm, and Friday: 8am-noon.

City Hall doors are open Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm. Permitting staff are also available via email at permits@bothellwa.gov during working hours Monday-Friday, or at 425-806-6400.

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Access the Bothell Municipal Code webpage here.

Call Public Works at 425-488-0118. If you leave a message, include the address or general location of the pothole (and any additional landmark information that would be helpful) and your daytime phone number. You may also send us the information online through a Customer Action Request.

Property owners must maintain landscaping that abuts public rights-of-way. If vegetation is growing over the right-of-way that is not abutting your property, please call our Streets Division at 425-488-0118 or submit a Customer Action Request.

Overgrown trees and green belts: If on public property, they will be inspected and trimmed if deemed necessary. If the tree is on private property, it is the property owner's responsibility to maintain the tree. Fallen or leaning trees: If a fallen tree is a danger to community members, vehicles, or in the power lines, call 911. Otherwise, report fallen or leaning trees to 425-488-0118 or submit a Customer Action Request.

We encourage residents to help keep storm drains and catch basins clear, especially in the fall. If roadway conditions permit, please remove organic debris from the drains (like leaves, sticks, etc.) and put them in your yard waste container for collection. To report blocked drains and catch basins, call Public Works at 425-488-0118 or submit a Customer Action Request.

The City tracks street conditions in a Pavement Management database. City staff analyzes street condition and traffic volume information to determine which streets will be repaired or resurfaced each year. If you would like to know the status of your street or request an evaluation, submit a Customer Action Request.

Call Public Works at 425-488-0118, between 7 am and 3:30 pm Monday thru Friday. If you need immediate assistance outside of regular business hours, Police non-emergency can route your call to the person best able to address your issue.  Please call them at 425-577-5656.

Contact Permit Services for assistance.

Call Public Works at 425-488-0118, between 7 am and 3:30 pm Monday thru Friday. If you need immediate assistance outside of regular business hours, Police non-emergency can route your call to the person best able to address your issue.  Please call them at 425-577-5656.

Keep your toilet lid down, close the bathroom door, and call Public Works at 425-488-0118, between 7 am and 3:30 pm Monday through Friday. If you need immediate assistance outside of regular business hours, Police non-emergency can route your call to the person best able to address your issue.  Please call them at 425-577-5656.

Learn more about what to do if you find a rat in your toilet.

Visit the Utility Billing page.

You can find out by calling Utility Billing at 425-806-6881. Visit the Utility Billing page.

These are substances that, when poured down your drain or into your garbage disposal, cause a build-up inside the pipes. Over time, this build-up will constrict the flow of water and eventually cause an expensive sewer backup into your home. To prevent a sewer backup, pour cooled oils and grease into a covered disposable container and throw it away in the garbage and compost all of your food scraps.

Learn more about the City's FOG program.

Pink stains may form around sink fixtures, drains, dog bowls and other standing containers of water and at the waterline of toilets. They are usually easily removed with cleaning and consist of a mixed culture of yeast, mold, and/or bacteria which grow well in moist conditions. To reduce the occurrence, you may just need to clean more often, especially in the summer when humidity and warmer temperatures increase microbial growth rates.  For additional information, please visit the Seattle Public Utilities website.

There are numerous everyday reasons that can affect your water.  There are hundreds of medications that can cause water to taste metallic.  Please visit the Seattle Public Utilities website to learn more.  If you believe your water concern is not related to common causes, please call Public Works at 425-488-0118, between 7 am and 3:30 pm Monday thru Friday. If you need immediate assistance outside of regular business hours, Police non-emergency can route your call to the person best able to address your issue.  Please call them at 425-577-5656.

Water leaks can be caused by failed plumbing at the residence.  Call Utility Billing at 425-806-6881 and notify them of the leak and excess water usage.

Homeowners are responsible for all repairs beyond the water meter, including the service line to the home.

Contact Permit Services for assistance.

Contractors and developers looking interested in fire system designs, construction, and irrigation need to contact the water service provider for water pressure information. 

If you need to obtain water pressure information and your water service provider is the City of Bothell, please see Application for Fire Flow or Water/Sewer Availability (WSA Form) The WSA certificate is a request submitted through www.MyBuildingPermit.com . If you have additional questions on how to obtain a water availability certificate please contact Permit Services .

Yes. It's the law. 

Calling 811 two business days before you begin digging alerts utilities to come out and mark their buried lines from the street to your property line at no cost to you. 

Be aware that many buried utility lines under your property belong to you. Locating buried utility lines that you own must be performed by a private company. 

Puget Sound Energy Customers: Call 811 

Snohomish County PUD Customers: Call 800-424-5555 

Learn more about Washington's Call Before You Dig Law.

Most homes have a shut-off valve located at the point where the service line enters the house.

Your water service provider is the only party authorized to shut water off at the meter.  Call your water service if you need assistance in this area.

Bothell purchases 100% of its finished water from Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and manages it by scheduling pump cycles, maintaining reservoir levels, and flushing water mains. SPU provides all existing treatment including disinfection, fluoride addition and corrosion control. Learn more about SPU's water.

Backflow assemblies are devices that protect the public water system from private plumbing systems. They must be tested upon their initial installation, annually, and when relocated or repaired.  Learn more about these devices, your responsibilities under the law, and how to find a backflow tester.

Visit the Utility Billing page.

Find out by calling Utility Billing at 425-806-6881. Visit the Utility Billing page.

The City reads meters every other month. This typically happens in February, April, June, August, October, and December. If you would like your meter re-read, please call Utility Billing at 425-608-6881.

To find out if Tap and Connection charges exist for a parcel, just fill out this form.

Check out information about water conservation resources.

Yes. Garbage, recycling, and compost service is mandatory for residential, multi-family, and commercial properties that are within Bothell's city limits (BMC 8.20).

View Recology's current rates here.

Our annual recycling event for Bothell residents runs from January to November each year. Learn more about our recycling voucher program.

The Wastemobile travels to communities to provide no-cost, safe disposal for household hazardous waste.

Find a list of acceptable items at the Hazardous Waste Help website.

Bothell's Wastemobile events are on the UW Bothell campus from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the dates it is in Bothell. View the schedule.

Check out Recology's sorting guides or search for options to dispose of specific items to learn more.

Please visit our garbage service page.

Check out Recology's helpful search tool called WhatBin where you can type in specific items to find out what bin they belong in or where to take them for special item recycling. 

Yes! Recology offers tours monthly. For more information and to schedule please contact Recology.

Find options for shredding confidential documents and learn about what to shred. 

You can request an inspection through permits.bothellwa.gov. All requests will be logged and assigned to a City Inspector. If the request is received by 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, an inspector will respond to the site on the next business day,

It's an annual community event that promotes sustainability! Learn all about the event. 

For more information please visit the Sustainamania website.

Nothing. It's free!

We use federal and state grants combined with City revenue from real estate taxes and transportation fees paid by private development in the City. The use of transportation impact fees is regulated in Bothell Municipal Code.

Please see FAQs first before submitting a Customer Action Request.  

Please Call 911 right away to report a damaged or malfunctioning traffic signal. For timing issues, please submit a Customer Action Request.  

The City's plans for transportation improvements can be found in the Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is updated annually. As funding becomes available, projects are included in the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP), a seven-year financial plan and needs assessment that identifies and prioritizes funding for capital improvements, including transportation projects. If the location you are concerned about is not in the CFP, capital funds are not available for the project. However, please submit a Customer Action Request with your safety concern.

The City of Bothell developed criteria to determine when and where a crosswalk should be installed. These criteria are based on Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).  

Due to budget impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, only those crosswalks under specific funded capital transportation projects in the Capital Facility Plan was funded. Please refer to the Capital Facility Plan.  

If you have a specific crosswalk not included in any of the listed transportation projects, please feel free to submit a Customer Action Request.

The City-funded sidewalk/walkway program has prioritized sidewalk projects, which will be constructed as funds allow. Funds for the program are limited.  

We maintain a database of ranked sidewalk gap locations and pursue funding and construction per the Safe School Walk Routes (SSWR) Taskforce priorities. The ranked sidewalk list is available in the SSWR Taskforce Report.  

If the sidewalk is not on the SSWR Taskforce Report, please submit a Customer Action Request through City of Bothell website.  

Speed limits on Bothell streets are established on the basis of engineering and traffic investigation, and are rarely changed. Please submit a Customer Action Request for more information. See Bothell Municipal Code

All new private developments and City-funded projects include pedestrian ramps. In addition, City-funded capital projects include upgrades to ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Those projects are listed in the Capital Facilities Plan. If your neighborhood street is not among the projects listed in the plan, funding is not currently available to install pedestrian ramps in your neighborhood.  

To request a stop sign, please submit a Customer Action Request. The purpose of the stop sign is to regulate traffic flow, not to calm down traffic.  

To request parking revisions, please submit a Customer Action Request. Requests for parking revisions on City streets are based on a function of the roadway classification and roadway width.  

The City of Bothell has an annual street striping program.  If you feel your street needs to be re-striped or refreshed, please submit a Customer Action Request through City of Bothell website.  

City’s speed and volume information is available on Traffic Count Maps.

We use the Municipal Research & Services Center (MRSC) roster. Learn more and find registration information on our Small Works Roster page.

Find out by visiting our

Our newspaper of record for advertising is The Seattle Times. We often run the same bid ads in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. Except for small works projects, contractors can typically download project plans and specifications on

Depending on the limits and type of contract, you will likely need to submit a certificate of Insurance along with Additional Insured Endorsement paperwork. These are two separate items. 

• The Certificate of Insurance is usually a single page document that must name City of Bothell as an additional insured party. 
• The Additional Insured Endorsement paperwork is usually a multiple-page document that actually changes the policy described on the Certificate of Insurance. 

If you still have questions about what insurance documents you need, please call us at 425-806-6803 or email us.

Because then we would never learn anything new!

Construction noise can be a public nuisance if not controlled. The purpose of establishing specific construction noise hours is to prevent construction noise from becoming a public nuisance.

Construction noise activity is prohibited on Sundays and the following observed holidays:  

There are a few exceptions: 

1) Highway construction

2) Sounds coming from a residential property caused by temporary projects necessary for the maintenance or repair of homes, grounds, and appurtenances between 7 am - 10 pm any day of the week. 

Please see Bothell Municipal Code 8.26.065 for information.  

Learn about current and upcoming construction projects.

Contact Community Development at 425-806-6400. 

Many projects have a "Proposed Land Use" notice board near the project site, which gives specific information about the development. It is helpful if you have the project name when you call us.

You can also use COBmap to view many private development projects.

View the current Capital Facilities Plan online.

The current version of Bothell's Design and Construction Standards and Specifications is available here.

Please contact us right away! We need to know about spills immediately so we can try to prevent pollutants from going down our storm drains and into our streams.

Volunteering provides opportunities to learn about the Bothell community, make an impact, and connect with fellow community members. We offer one-time as well as ongoing volunteer opportunities. Check out what options are available, and learn about partner organizations who are also looking for volunteers.

Interested in volunteering? Want to be added to our volunteer email list? Fill out the Volunteer Intake Form online. When an opportunity becomes available that matches your interests, we'll let you know!

To request EMS records, please email EMSRecordsRequest@bothellwa.gov. Note: this is a confidential email address.

An ordinance adopted 11/16/21, states that the only fireworks allowed in Bothell are snakes/worms, party poppers, snappers, novelty smoke devices, sparklers, and tanks. The possession of sparklers and tanks, which are consumer fireworks, are allowed from 12:00 pm on July 1 until 11:00 pm on July 4 each year. Discharge of sparklers and tanks are allowed on July 4 of each year between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 pm. 

The sale of consumer fireworks in Bothell is illegal.   

For firework and noise complaints, call the non-emergency number: 425-486-1254.

If there is an immediate threat to life or property, including a fire or injuries, call 911.

Thank you for your interest in scheduling a tour with Bothell Fire Department. Tours can be scheduled by appointment. Please click here to complete our online form and provide a minimum of 20 days notice. 

CPR and First Aid classes are not currently being offered to the public. To find a class near you please visit www.redcross.org. Woodinville and Northshore Fire Departments also provide CPR and First Aid courses. 

Public Records Requests can be submitted at http://bothellwa.gov/records.

How to report a spill or illicit discharges

If a spill or illicit discharge is within Bothell's city limits, call our Spill Hotline at 425-806-6750 to report. This phone number is answered day and night. We respond to spills that are within Bothell's city limits, so please make sure you are calling the correct jurisdiction. 

How to tell if a spill is within Bothell's city limits

Check this map (PDF) for the spill location, or check the location online. If the spill is outside Bothell's city limits, please call the appropriate jurisdiction below to notify them about the spill so they can respond. 

• Unincorporated Snohomish County: (typically 98012 zip codes and locations north of 208th St SE/SR 524/Maltby Rd): 425-388-6481
• Unincorporated King County: 206-477-4811
• Kenmore: 425-398-8900
• Kirkland: 425-587-3900
• Woodinville: 425-489-2700

See examples of what qualifies as a spill.  

If you're in Bothell's city limits and you see any of these pollutants near storm drains or in water, please call our Spill Hotline right away at 425-806-6750. 

Examples of what to report

• Food trucks, food stands, or restaurants dumping grease, oil, fats, or food waste into storm drains.
• Vehicle fluids leaking onto the street.
• Soapy water entering the street from washing vehicles.
• Pressure washing sidewalks, buildings, or awnings with soapy and/or hot water.
• Paint, motor oil, or other contaminant on the street.
• Mobile businesses dumping wastewater into storm drains (from things like carpet cleaning, pet grooming, or auto detailing).
• Raw sewage from malfunctioning septic systems or improper waste disposal from an RV.
• Blowing debris or yard waste (like leaves or grass clippings) into the street or curb.
• Chlorinated swimming pool water drained into the street.
• Landscaping dirt piles on the street or sidewalk.
• Concrete slurry or other masonry products along the street curb/gutter from home improvement or construction projects.
• Mud or gravel tracked out into the street or muddy water entering the street, typically from a construction site.
• Construction sites without effective erosion control measures in place to keep dirt and runoff on the site.

Print the examples

Download and print a letter-sized PDF showing visual examples of these spill examples.

Submit an online form to tell us about your drainage concern. When we receive a report about a drainage issue, we inspect the location thoroughly and promptly* to help resolve any issues to the best of our ability. 

*City staff will receive and review your online submission only during business hours (Monday - Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). If you feel your issue is an emergency, please call 911.

Here's how to report blocked storm drains, whether or not flooding is involved: 

During regular business hours

Non-emergency

• Call 425-488-0118 (press 1)
• Online at www.bothellwa.gov/car 

After regular business hours

Non-emergency

• Call 425-577-5656

Emergency 

• Immediately call 9-1-1

If your property is flooding, please call us so you can speak to a human rather than sending an email or submitting an online form.

• Call 911 if the issue is an emergency.
• Call 425-488-0118 during business hours.
• Call 425-577-5656 if it's after business hours but is not an emergency.

If City of Bothell staff notified you that your storm system needs maintenance and/or repairs, whether after an urgent response or through a routine inspection, you may need to hire a contractor to do the work. Here is some information about drainage system maintenance service contractors (also referred to as vactor vendors) with a current City of Bothell business license that permits them to perform services within Bothell's city limits. We update this list every August. City of Bothell has no affiliation with the contractors and does not guarantee quality of service or otherwise endorse any of the contractors. 

Labor & Industries offers helpful tips about hiring a contractor.

A stormwater system is any part of an engineered drainage system that collects rainwater. Some common examples of stormwater systems include:

• detention ponds 
• underground vaults, detention pipes, and stormfilters
• permeable/porous  pavement
• bioswales 
• rain gardens
• modular wetlands
• catch basins

We inspect your system periodically to help ensure that it's functioning properly and to keep City of Bothell in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

First, stormwater facilities protect your property from flooding by giving excess rainwater somewhere to go. 

Second rainwater from your facility drains directly into our rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands without further treatment. If your system isn't functioning properly, it allows pollutants that were carried with the rainwater (e.g., fertilizers, vehicle fluids, and pet waste) to cause water quality problems that could make contact with the water a health risk. For these reasons, owners of private stormwater systems are required to maintain their storm systems at least annually (BMC 18.04.270) and according to the approved design.

You will need to provide City of Bothell staff with the following information: 

• Current property owner information with contact person, address, and phone number if it has changed in the past six months.
• The contact person should be the Property Manager/Landlord, Homeowners Association President, or Owner(s) representing all affected properties.
• Contact information must include full name, address, phone number, and email. 

Please email the contact information to us, as well as any updates if contact information has changed, so we can ensure our records are current.

If City of Bothell staff notified you that your stormwater system needs maintenance and/or repairs, whether after an urgent response or through a routine inspection, you may need to hire a contractor to do the work. Here is some information about drainage system maintenance service contractors with a State business license permitting them to perform services within Bothell's city limits. We update this list every year. City of Bothell has no affiliation with the contractors and does not guarantee quality of service or otherwise endorse any of the contractors. 

Deciding which drainage system maintenance contractor to hire

Before hiring a contractor, you should do your research, read customers' reviews, and get at least three bids. Drainage system maintenance is a competitive field and you can usually save money by shopping around. Most firms have substantial callout fees, and depending on the size of your system, you might pay the same amount to have your entire system cleaned rather than just one of two of its structures.

Labor & Industries also has helpful tips for hiring a contractor.

Information the contractor will need 

When you request drainage system maintenance from a private contractor, please provide the contractor with a copy of the maintenance order (also called an Order to Maintain) you received from City of Bothell. The contractors know they can contact us if they require any clarification about the maintenance order. Please notify City of Bothell once the contractor has completed the maintenance work.

Unless you are a qualified professional yourself, the safest course of action is to hire licensed contractor who is qualified to perform the necessary work on site. Here is a list of contractors licensed to do this kind of work in Bothell's city limits. 

Deciding which drainage system maintenance contractor to hire 

Before hiring a contractor, you should do your research, read customers' reviews, and get at least three bids. Drainage system maintenance is a competitive field and you can usually save money by shopping around. Most firms have substantial callout fees, and depending on the size of your system, you might pay the same amount to have your entire system cleaned rather than just one of two of its structures. Labor & Industries offers many helpful tips for hiring a contractor.

Typically, you will have 30 days after you receive the Order to Maintain to contact the City of Bothell inspector and establish a timeline for how and when you intend to complete the work. We are able to grant extensions if extensive work is necessary and you provide us with written proof of intent with the 30-day timeframe. If you do not comply with these requirements, you could be subject to civil penalties per BMC 11.20.010.  

Maintenance frequency will depend on the type of system you have and the surrounding conditions in your community. Establishing a maintenance schedule is the best way to ensure your system continues to function properly. You are required to maintain your private stormwater system at least annually.

Bothell has two surface water inspectors available to answer your questions. Please email or call us if you'd like to ask any questions.

In most cases, whatever goes into public storm drains in Bothell flows through storm pipes or open channels, then discharges into streams, lakes, rivers, and eventually Puget Sound. Unlike sewage, stormwater doesn't stop at a treatment facility along the way, which is why it's so important to make sure pollutants stay out of the storm system. 

Here's a good rule of thumb: If you wouldn't want to swim in it or let your pets drink it, keep it out of your storm system. 

Remember...nothing but rain down the storm drain!

Please call our 24/7 Spill Hotline right away at 425-806-6750.

No. Even if a product is biodegradable, it could still be toxic to aquatic life. Many biodegradable products aren't designed to break down in water the same way they do in soil. Whatever enters a storm drain in Bothell flows, untreated, to the nearest stream, lake, or river. 

Here's a good rule of thumb: If you wouldn't want to swim in it or let your pet drink it, make sure it doesn't go down your storm drain.

Remember...nothing but rain down the storm drain!

Call 425-488-0118 during business hours. We will need to know your address and phone number. We encourage residents to help to keep storm drains and catch basins clear, especially in the fall. If roadway conditions allow, please remove organic debris (like leaves, sticks, etc) and put them in your yard waste container for collection.

If the storm drain is flooding after hours and creating a life safety issue, call 911.

A bioswale is a shallow ditch with gently sloping sides and various layers of soils beneath. A bioswale - sometimes called a vegetated ditch - slows stormwater runoff and directs it to an area where it can soak in. It achieves the same goal as a rain garden, but is usually designed to manage a larger amount of runoff. A bioswale often uses grass and plants to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, slow the flow, and absorb runoff.

Learn more about bioswales, their benefits, and how to take care of them.

Yes! Please check out all these ways you can help protect water not only in Bothell, but also in Puget Sound.

It may not seem like a small behavior change makes a difference, but when lots of people start making small changes, it eventually leads to big changes. Check out simple things you can do to help prevent stormwater pollution and keep our water cleaner.

Pet waste is basically raw sewage. Dog poop contains harmful organisms like Roundworms, Giardia, and E. coli which can be transmitted directly to humans. These organisms can remain on your lawn for as long as four years threatening the safety of your pets and children. The only way to remove the danger is to pick up your pet waste and place it in the trash.

If the major health risk isn't enough of a motivator to pick up your dog's waste, you could also find yourself with a $250 fine for leaving pet waste on public or private property (BMC 6.16.011).

Learn more about picking up after your pet.

Most auto fluids don’t dissolve in water. They last a long time and stick to everything from sand to bird feathers. Oil and other petroleum products are toxic to people, wildlife, and plants. Rain washes the fluids that leaks from our cars onto driveways, roads, and into storm drains. A small leak can turn into an expensive repair if you don't address it right away. 

Learn more about vehicle leaks and how to identify what kind of fluid is leaking.

Washing your car on a paved driveway or in the street sends pollutants from your car (oil, grease, fuel, heavy metals,brake dust, surfactants, etc.) into our storm drains and directly into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. We also have a code in Bothell that makes it against the law to discharge any pollutants into the public drainage system (BMC 18.04.260). These pollutants include the soap and chemicals that are used to clean your vehicle - even biodegradable soaps. It's most eco-friendly to use a commercial car wash, a waterless car wash product, or wash over a permeable surface like grass or gravel that can absorb the water.

Learn more about car washing.

It depends on what kind of car wash you’re talking about. Allowing soapy car wash water to enter any storm drains in the city is a violation of Bothell Municipal Code 18.04.260, even if you use biodegradable soap. This is true for both public stormwater systems as well as private stormwater systems. Car wash runoff contains many harmful pollutants that lead to poor water quality when they get into our storm drains and streams. Read more about the pollutants. 

But there are some alternatives to traditional car washing you can try:

• Sell commercial car wash tickets. Some commercial car wash facilities will sell you discounted car wash tickets for less than $3 that you can turn around and sell for closer to face value. Visit the Brown Bear Car Wash website to learn more and apply for their program. 
• Rent a car wash stall. Some facilities allow you to rent a stall for the day.
• Divert wash water. Divert the wash water to a large grass or gravel surface that will allow the wash water to completely infiltrate into the soil.
• Use waterless car washing products. Waterless products with microfiber towels remove dirt without scratching the paint and provide a nice wax coat.

You can also check out a list of other eco-friendly fundraising options that don’t necessarily involve car washing.

Report spills within Bothell's city limits right away by calling the 24/7 Spill Hotline at 425-806-6750. Our staff need to know about spills as soon as possible so we can try to prevent pollutants from entering our streams and other bodies of water.

Read examples of what kinds of spills to look for.

Natural yard care includes build healthy soil, planting right for your site, practicing smart watering, and eliminating the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Learn all about it!

LID stands for low impact development. 

You can use these LID techniques and design considerations in building, construction, and development to help capture and move rainwater while improving the aesthetics of your property. Low impact development manages the rainwater that falls on your property by allowing some to evaporate back into the air, some to absorb into the ground, some to be captured and used later as needed, and the rest to slowly pass into the stormwater system and into nearby streams.

It's a landscaped, strategically placed, depressed area that is planted with native vegetation to soak up rain water. Learn more about rain gardens.

Learn all about rain gardens, take a free online class, and check out helpful guides on our rain garden webpage to get started.  

It's a shallow ditch with gently sloping sides and various layers of soils beneath. A bioswale - sometimes called a vegetated ditch - slows stormwater runoff and directs it to an area where it can soak in. It achieves the same goal as a rain garden, but is usually designed to manage a larger amount of runoff. A bioswale often uses grass and plants to stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, slow the flow, and absorb runoff.

Learn more about bioswales, their benefits, and how to take care of them.

Visit our Hazardous Waste webpage for guidance about safely disposing of hazardous materials.

Hazardous materials

This is not an exhaustive list of all hazardous materials, but below are many of the most common. Hazardous products say CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER, or POISON on their labels. 

Batteries

Alkaline, button, car, cellphone (removable), laptop, lead-acid, lithium, and rechargeable batteries

Automotive products

Oil, antifreeze, batteries, wax, soaps, cleaners, fluids

Home improvement

Paints, varnish, stain, thinner, stripper, caulk, adhesive

Pesticides

Insecticides, repellents, weed killers, rat poison, pet spray and dip, flea control, moth balls, disinfectants, wood preservatives

Cleaners

Furniture polish and wax, drain opener, oven cleaner, tub and tile cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, spot remover, bleach, ammonia 

Other

Cosmetics, hair products, shoe polish, lighter fluid, prescription medications, arts and crafts materials

Safe disposal

Hazardous waste cannot go in the trash or down the drain (inside or outside). Hazardous waste can be harmful to humans, wildlife, and the environment if not disposed of safely. Learn how to properly dispose of hazardous materials.

Use Bothell's Spill Hotline

Call our Spill Hotline right away at 425-806-6750 if you see a spill or other questionable material going into a storm drain or body of water within Bothell's city limits. A human will answer the Spill Hotline 24/7 and will contact appropriate staff to respond. See examples of what kinds of spills to report. 

You can request your voucher(s) at the Recology Store in Bothell at Canyon Park Place between QFC and Bartell's. You can also request your vouchers online.

You can request two vouchers per household, per year while supplies last.

Your voucher is only valid during the year that you request it, until November 30th of that year. If your voucher expires before you can use it, request another one during the following year.

Each voucher has a value of $30.00 to cover recyclable materials and/or yard waste.

You will be responsible for overages. You are also responsible for any garbage disposal fees.

King County requires all customers to show proof they live or do business within King County's 37-city and unincorporated service area, which includes all of Bothell, both the Snohomish County and King County portions of the city. You must have the voucher with you and present it to the cashier at the time of the transaction.

A limited number of vouchers are available for City of Bothell residents only. They will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

The grant that funds this program requires this to only apply to residents within City limits.

Visit King County's "What Do I Do With..." tool for resources on where to bring your items to discard. If what you want to dispose of is considered hazardous waste, see if you can bring it to the Wastemobile.

Yes. A lawnmower is considered scrap metal and you can recycle it at the Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station. You must drain all fluids and remove any batteries before you bring it to the station for recycling.

Shoreline Recycling & Transfer Station 2300 N 165th St. Shoreline, WA

No. This is a recycling event and garbage is not covered by the voucher. If you bring garbage to the event, you are responsible for covering the cost of disposal.

Contact the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center for a visitor information packet. Phone: 425-485-4353 | Email: office@bothellkenmorechamber.org.

a murderous amount!

A rain garden is a bowl-shaped shallow planted area in the landscape where rain water collects and absorbs back into the soil. It mimics the natural environment of the undisturbed soils and forests that once covered the Puget Sound area. 

It is designed to slow, filter, and infiltrate runoff from roofs or pavement to safeguard local water quality. A rain garden uses spongy living soils and native plants to achieve its goal.

Learn more about rain gardens.

Rain water picks up pollutants as it flows over hard surfaces such as rooftops, driveways, and compacted soils. These pollutants, like gasoline, motor oil, and pesticides, are then carried through storm drains directly into our local rivers, lakes, and streams. When rain water is allowed to soak back into the ground through a rain garden, some of these toxic materials are removed by plant and animal microorganisms living in the soil. Rain gardens also slow the flow of runoff to help with erosion control and flood prevention.

Building a rain garden adds a number of benefits to your home and your wallet.

• Rain gardens can beautify your home, adding to its value, while protecting your property and your community from flooding and erosion.
• They also provide habitat for bees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, help improve air quality and reduced your carbon footprint.
• They are a proven way to reduce water pollution locally and regionally. 
• They're an affordable option for homeowners and utilities compared with traditional pipe and drain systems. They require minimal time and skill to maintain each year, and actually work better over time.
• Rain gardens help recharge local groundwater supplies.

Learn more about the benefits of rain gardens.

Here are some reputable resources to contact if you want to find out whether a rain garden is a good fit for your property, if you have another question, or if you want to request technical guidance:

• Snohomish Conservation District
• King County's Rainscapes Program
• 12,000 Rain Gardens / Stewardship Partners

If your property has drainage issues or if you experience recurring flooding, please tell us about the problem through our "Report a Drainage Concern" online form so City staff can review your request and follow up with you.

• Online Form: Report a Drainage Concern

You can do the work yourself or you can consult a local professional to design and install your garden. 

If you're interested in building the rain garden yourself or just want to learn more about rain gardens, here is a step-by-step guide for design, installation, and maintenance:

• Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington: A Guide for Design, Installation, and Maintenance - English (PDF)
• Manual de Jardín de Lluvia para el Oeste de Washington: Una Guía para Diseño, Instalación, y Mantenimiento – Español (PDF)

Reusing materials in your rain garden saves you money while benefiting your environment and community. Compost, soils, bark mulch, and garden stones are just a few ideas for easily obtained recycled materials. There are many options out there for almost any application in your garden.

In a rain garden, plant roots and soil organisms work together to help absorb and clean rain water runoff. Using native plants is best because they are naturally adapted to local pests and climate conditions, and can thrive without the use of fertilizers, pesticides, or excessive watering. Native plants also create habitat for local birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects by providing food and shelter. Learn more about native plants.

Rain gardens are just one of many techniques and design considerations that help capture and move rain water while improving the aesthetics of your property. Low impact development (LID) techniques are specifically designed to manage the rainwater that falls on your property by allowing some to evaporate back into the air, some to absorb into the ground, some to be captured and used later as needed, and the rest to slowly pass into the stormwater system and into nearby streams. Learn more about these techniques in our guide, Managing Rainwater: A Homeowners Improvement Guide for Low Impact Development (LID) in Bothell.

For King County outages, contact Puget Sound Energy at 877-229-1235. For Snohomish County outages, contact Snohomish County Public Utility District at 425-783-1000. It's helpful if you can let us know the identifying numbers/letters that are on the street light pole when you call.

We'll look at requests for new street lights on a case by case basis if the request is for vehicle traffic (not security) purposes. Submit a Customer Action Request.

Community members may also enter into an agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD) for area lighting.  In King County, report street light outages or request a street light to Puget Sound Energy online or call 877-229-1235. In Snohomish County, report street light outages or request a street light to Snohomish Public Utilities District at 425-783-1000.  

Call 911 right away to report a downed stop sign. Call 425-488-0118 to report other damaged/downed street signs. To request a new street sign, submit a Customer Action Request.

The City has over 310 lane miles of roads divided up into 12 specific sweeping zones. Throughout the year, the Storm Operations Division of Public Works sweep each zone once a month on a Monday through Friday schedule. During the fall leaf season, street sweeping is increased to 7 days a week to help reduce the chance of localized flooding. Street sweepers are also deployed immediately following a major weather event focusing efforts on clearing priority transportation routes throughout the City.

See a map of the City's street clearing routes.

To request that your street be swept, please submit a Customer Action Request.

Here are the City's snow plow and street clearing priority routes.

You can fill out a Customer Action Request.

You can fill out a Customer Action Request.

In any browser type: https://mss.bothellwa.gov/ess/default.aspx

If you are in the office, look for the blue icon 

This is a maintenance and safety improvements levy. The annual budget will determine each year's priority improvements based on condition and safety factors. To learn more about what the levy funds, visit bothellwa.gov/safestreets.

The rate started at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. With the annual cost for Bothell’s median home valued at $376,000, it was estimated to be $188. Find current information at bothellwa.gov/safestreets.

This is a nine-year levy funding program to respond to the community’s request for safe streets and school walk routes. The levy expires at the end of 2025. View annual reports to learn more about how we've spent levy funds.

Fire systems such as fire alarms and sprinklers are designed to ensure the safety of occupants. When a system is not working properly, as a temporary measure, the Fire Marshal may allow a fire watch. This is to allow for the building to remain in use and occupants safe, while the system is down. 

As fire systems are such a vital feature for life safety, and a failure to perform fire watch is a fire code violation, there is a daily fine in cases where the watch is not conducted correctly or concluded prior to Fire Marshal approval. Please be advised that only the Fire Marshal can cancel a fire watch.

A fire watch is a person assigned to observe an area to ensure there are no hazards or fire, while the fire system is down. A fire watch must be performed while the building is occupied. In commercial buildings, a fire watch must be conducted even if there is only one person in the building. In multifamily residential buildings, a fire watch must be conducted 24 hours a day.

- Intentional Impairments: contact our office at 425-806-6250 to receive a Fire Watch Order at least 24 hours in advance.
- Unintentional Impairments/Malfunctioning Fire System: Complete the bottom portion of the Fire Watch Order and submit to crr@bothellwa.gov.

A designated person whose only purpose is to perform constant patrols of the affected area to detect and notify the fire department of fire hazards. Fire watch cannot be done by someone performing any other functions. Many businesses choose to contract with a security agency to perform the functions of a fire watch. Fire Watches are not conducted by the Fire Department.

The monitoring should be constant and one entry should be made on the log at least every half hour. The logs must be emailed to crr@bothellwa.gov daily to indicate the watch is being performed.

- A fire watch is required when a fire system is out of service. Examples are emergency phone line outages causing lack of monitoring communications, when systems are intentionally impaired or taken offline for construction work or when plumbing work calls for the need to drain sprinkler lines.
- During hot work activities, including 30 minutes after the conclusion of the work unless the hot work area has no fire hazards or combustible exposure. There are additional requirements related to hot works as defined by the International Fire Code, please contact the Fire Marshal’s office.
-During demolition of a building or building construction during working hours that is hazardous in nature.
- Some gatherings may require a fire watch due to the nature of the activity. Examples include bonfires, pyrotechnic displays and gatherings of such size or limited access that impairs the firefighters’ abilities.

- Intentional Impairments: contact our office at 425-806-6250 to receive authorization to conclude the watch.

- Unintentional Impairments/Malfunctioning Fire System: once the contractor has completed repairs, a repair report downloaded from The Compliance Engine must be emailed to the Fire Prevention Office at crr@bothellwa.gov for review. 

Please be advised that a fire watch can only be cancelled by the Fire Marshal. Concluding a fire watch prematurely is a fire code violation and carries a daily fine.

Instructions for contractors: The Compliance Engine: How to Submit a Repair Report 

The current property owner, Forterra, has posted signs regarding usage.

The following uses will be prohibited on the property:

• Residential uses;
• Manufacturing or other industrial uses;
• Office uses and storage uses other than incidental office spaces and incidental storage areas that are ancillary to a permitted use of the Active Use Area; and
• Uses that restrict public access by imposing membership or similar requirements that serve to prevent public access.

A master plan is the approved policy document for a specific parkland in context with its location, natural resources, vision of the community and available funding. This guides construction decisions such as phased projects and potential grant applications.

After acquisition, the community will get a chance to help name the new park. We will post information on upcoming public meetings and how to submit your suggestions on the City website.

The City Manager’s Office will be leading this effort.  Look for updates on the City website.

Safe and Secure Bothell is a public safety program funded by two ballot measures that Bothell voters approved in the November 2018 general election. Proposition 1 was an operations levy that funds new police officers, firefighters and other additional public safety services. Proposition 2 was a bond that funds the tear-down and replacement of two fire stations.

The nature of law enforcement and emergency response has changed and increased in complexity over the last two decades. Increasing drug use, homelessness, mental illness, theft and school safety challenges; and aging fire stations and equipment are straining the City’s ability to deliver critical police and fire services.

In 2001, Washington State passed tax-limiting legislation I-747, which limits taxing jurisdictions like the City of Bothell from raising the amount of property taxes collected by no more than 1% per year without a vote of the people. The cost of delivering basic police and fire services increases at a higher rate than 1% each year, therefore, City Council placed Propositions 1 and 2 on the 2018 ballot to gauge Bothell’s level of desired public safety service. In 2031, when the public safety levy is set to expire, Bothell residents will have another chance to vote on the level of service they want.

Proposition 1: Public Safety Levy Lid Lift will last for twelve years (2019-2031).

Proposition 2: Public Safety Capital Bond allows the City to issue 20-year bonds. The City will issue two separate bonds at different times to better align spending with fire station construction progress. Bothell residents will make bond repayments from 2020-2043, depending on the timing of the bond issuances. 

Bothell public safety services include police, fire, emergency medical and municipal court services. The City’s general fund pays for these services at an annual cost of approximately $29 million in 2018. A total of 162 dedicated public service professionals provide services to Bothell residents every day, year-round. Facilities and equipment include three fire stations, one police station, the municipal court, response vehicles, fire engines, aid cars and motorcycles.

It's full of germs

Dog poop is raw sewage that can spread disease. It can contain disease-causing organisms, including roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms, fecal coliform, Giardia, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacteriosis, Cyclospora, and Parvovirus. Even when dog poop looks like it's no longer there, many of these pathogens can survive for days, weeks, months, or sometimes even years in soil and water waiting for a host. 

It can make you sick

People and pets can come into contact with pathogens found in dog poop while playing in grass, walking barefoot, playing sports, gardening, swimming, fishing, or boating. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put things in their mouths or eyes. Infections from pet waste bacteria often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans.

It can make other dogs sick

Puppies are especially susceptible to Parvovirus, which they can contract if they make contact with an infected dog's feces.  

It affects recreation and water quality

High levels of fecal bacteria can cause closures in commercial shellfish beds and spread illnesses to pets and wildlife. In addition, the nitrogen and phosphorous found in dog poop can create harmful algal blooms in lakes that turn the water green and cloudy, use up dissolved oxygen, kill fish and other marine life, and make the water unsafe for recreation.

There are a number of factors that make dog poop different from wild animal poop.

Control and impact

Dog poop is different from wild animal poop mainly because humans are able (and obligated) to manage its environmental impact. In contrast, wild animal poop is naturally integrated into the ecosystem. 

Diet differences

Commercial dog food often contains added nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. When dog poop enters water, these nutrients can cause issues such as algae blooms, which reduce oxygen levels and harm fish. Wild animal poop, on the other hand, is usually beneficial. Since wild animals eat natural foods, their waste helps recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem, supporting plant and wildlife health. 

Bacteria and parasites

Dog poop contains lots of bacteria and parasites that are harmful to humans and wildlife. Some of the bacteria and parasites can linger for months…and some for several years! Dogs have evolved to be able to handle most of these germs, but people and other animals can get very sick from them. 

Breakdown rate 

Dog poop breaks down more slowly than wild animal poop due to its different composition. This slow decomposition means harmful bacteria and parasites can persist longer, potentially contaminating groundwater or washing into streams and rivers during heavy rain.

When you're outside on a walk and your dog poops, it's your responsibility to do three things:

1. Bring extra bags.

2. Scoop and bag every poop.

3. Put the bag of dog poop in the trash bin. Never put pet waste in your organics bin or compost pile.

And when your pet poops in your own yard, don't let it linger. Pick up dog poop right away if it's going to rain (or is already raining), and pick it up from your entire yard at least once a week regardless of the weather forecast. Dog poop can contain disease-causing organisms, including roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, hookworms, fecal coliform, Giardia, Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, and Parvovirus. Even when it looks like it has washed away, many pathogens found in pet waste can survive for days, weeks, months, or sometimes even years in soil and water waiting for a host.

No.

Composting doesn't remove the hazardous pathogens from dog poop, which can contaminate the rest of your compost pile. 

Most home compost piles don't reach temperatures that are hot enough to kill the hazardous pathogens in dog poop. Killing E. coli and Salmonella requires extended exposure at 140-degree temperatures. Giardia can survive temperature extremes, chlorination, and drying. Cryptosporidium, Leptospira, Salmonella, and E. coli can all survive for months in feces or soil, and roundworms can survive for up to four years in soil.

Most commercial compost processors also don't reach a temperature high enough to kill the hazardous pathogens, and they don't accept dog poop because it can contaminate the rest of the composted material. This means you should keep dog poop out of yard waste bins, too. If your solid waste provider discovers pet waste in your organics bin, they may leave your bin full and unemptied with a tag letting you know why they didn't accept the contents. 

The best place for pet waste is in the trash.

Although the bag you're using may be labeled as biodegradable or compostable, dog poop itself is a health hazard and should not be left to biodegrade on its own. 

• Don't put bags of dog poop in your organics/yard waste bin.

• Don't leave bags of dog poop on the ground.

• Do always put bags of dog poop in the trash.

The trash is the safest place to prevent contamination from dog poop.

Biodegradable bags seem like a an eco-friendly option, but in a landfill, they often don't break down the way they're supposed to. The biodegradation process will only happen successfully in an oxygen-filled (aerobic) environment. In most cases, landfills are oxygen-free (anaerobic) environments, meaning that the layers and layers of trash that are piled up in the contained space have no room for air to pass through. So what would happen to the biodegradable bag? If anything, any biodegradable plastics that would break apart in the landfill will actually emit methane, a greenhouse gas that is 23 times more potent than CO2.

Rather than using biodegradable dog poop bag, consider using bags that contain recycled content.

Dog poop is a point source of pollution that can spell big trouble for soil and water quality, and even human health if it's buried too close to vegetable gardens or waterways. And burying it doesn't kill the hazardous pathogens found in dog poop, such as Giardia, Salmonella, and E. coli, and lesser known bacteria like Ancylostoma, Cryptosporidium, and Toxocara canis. When it gets washed into a waterway, dog poop adds excess nitrogen and phosphorous, which can cause algae blooms that use up the oxygen fish and aquatic life need to survive.  

The safest place for dog poop is in the landfill.

Dog poop should not be flushed down the toilet, and not just because it can clog pipes.

If you're connected to a municipal sewer system

Wastewater treatment plants are designed to handle human waste, not pet waste. Some germs found in dog poop can actually survive the wastewater treatment process. 

• Parvovirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can survive for months in moist environments. 
• Giardia cysts can withstand standard chlorination and remain infectious in cold water. 
• Roundworm eggs have tough outer shells that let them persist in soil or water for long periods. 

Even well-run treatment plants can’t guarantee complete removal of these pathogens, especially during heavy rain events when flows are high. 

If you're connected to an onsite septic system

If you're connected to a septic system, flushing dog poop down the toilet could exceed the capacity of your septic system. Dog poop can contain things like grass, ash, and hair, which can also interfere with septic system functions and clog your drain field. Lastly, your septic system is not designed to handle the hazardous organisms found in dog poop.

The safest way to dispose of dog poop is to bag it and put it in the trash. This helps protect water quality, public health, and our environment.

Because it's the safest place for dog poop.

Although it's not ideal to add more waste to our landfills, they are the only systems currently designed to safely handle dog poop. In a landfill, the harmful organisms found in dog poop are safely contained and monitored. If a safer disposal method for dog poop comes along in the future, we will update our best management practices for dog poop. 

No, the City does not provide or maintain pet waste stations or free bags to neighborhoods, business parks, or other private developments. 

The City used to offer pet waste stations and a starter supply of pet waste bags to neighborhoods and/or Homeowners Associations who signed an agreement to maintain the stations, but the program was discontinued because too many stations were abandoned and were no longer being maintained per the contract's requirements.

We do provide pet waste stations in City of Bothell parks, which are installed and maintained by our Parks staff. If your neighborhood or business park is interested in offering the same kind of pet waste stations and bags that are in City parks, you can find them at BagSpot.com.

Dog poop contaminates water.

To protect aquatic ecosystems and water quality, please keep your dog(s) a safe distance away from streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water when they go to the bathroom, and always be sure to pick up after your dog if it poops. This helps prevent surface water from being contaminated by bacteria, nutrients, and other pollutants that are found in pet waste. Dog poop contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which can lead to algal blooms, making the water unsafe for recreational activities.

Yes. 

Like most other cities in the Puget Sound area, Bothell has a municipal code that prohibits leaving dog poop on public property or on another person's private property. Violators may be subject to a minimum $250 fine per incident when witnessed by the City's Animal Control Officer. 

Dog owners are also responsible for ensuring that they have, in their immediate possession, an appropriately sized bag to remove their pet's waste when accompanying an animal on public property or on private property of another. It's a good idea to bring an extra bag in case your dog needs to do its business more than once on a walk.

Read about the City's scooping requirements in Bothell Municipal Code 6.16.020 and 8.60.240.

During business hours, please contact the Bothell Operations Center at 425-488-0118 and press 1 or submit a Customer Action Request.  

After hours, please call the Police Department non-emergency number at 425-577-5656 and they will direct your call. 

Crews focus on priority clearing routes, mostly arterials.  Please note that work requests for road plowing will be recorded, but will not impact the priority listing during snow and ice events. Additionally, the road priority list does not change based on public calls requesting service, and multiple requests for service will not increase the priority of the response. 

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911.

Sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. The City does not have the capacity to clear the sidewalks. Use caution when clearing sidewalks.

Get tips about how to prevent pipes from freezing. Call the water department if you are worried about neighbors’ burst pipes.

Purchasing or selling a home  

If you are buying or selling a home, you will need to contact us to provide us with the closing date and new or forwarding owner contact information. Utility charges follow the property. If you purchase a property and the final bill is not paid at closing, it becomes the new owner’s responsibility to pay the outstanding charge. Check with your escrow company to make sure they are paying the closing bill.

Rental properties

Water and/or sewer utilities are billed to the owner only per BMC 18.03.280 G and 18.06.330 F. If you have a property manager or third-party payee vendor acting on your (owner’s) behalf, please contact us and provide a copy of your signed agreement to set-up billing for these types of situations only. Email Utility Billing with a copy of your management agreement. We do not set-up direct billing to tenants as it is the responsibility of the owner to make sure their account is paid current. Tenants need to work directly with the owner (or property manager acting on their behalf) as to how they would like payments remitted for these services.

Extended vacation or vacancy  

If you will be gone for an extended period of time, you may want to consider requesting a temporary stop service. There is a fee for turning off the service and for turning it back on. If you would like to temporarily stop service, please complete the appropriate form and email it to Utility Billing, or call 425-806-6881 if you have any questions.

Online Payments

Click here to pay online. 

Check payments

Mail your check to:

City of Bothell
Attn: Utility Billing
18415 - 101st Ave. NE
Bothell, WA  98011
  
Make the check payable to City of Bothell.

Include your Account-CustomerID number on the memo line.

In-person payments

City Hall is open to walk-in customers, Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm (except Holidays) using a credit/debit card, check, cash, or money order payable to: City of Bothell

After-hours drop box payments

Drop off your payment in City Hall’s dropbox on the north side of the building located at the corner of 101st Ave NE and NE 185th St.

Phone payments

425-806-6881, option 1

For credit/debit card or eCheck payments available 24 hours day / 7 days a week.

Bank bill-payer payments

We also accept payments from your bank’s bill-payer service. 

Please remember to list your full  Account-CustomerID number (please include the hyphen) found in the upper right-hand corner of your billing statement when remitting your payment. 

Address bill-payer payments to the Utility Billing mailing address:

18415 - 101st Ave NE
Bothell, WA  98011 

Depending on your bill-payer service, it may take up to seven days for the city to receive your payment. We post the payment upon receipt. Payment received after the due date may be assessed a late fee.

1. Log in and navigate to Utility Billing (left-hand side of the screen)
2. Click on Manage Bills (left-hand side of the screen)
3. Click on Bill Details, or if you do not have a bill due click on Show Past Bills, then Bill Details (on far right-hand side of screen)
4. Under Automatic Payments, click on details (on far right-hand side of screen)
5. Select Update
6. Pop-up window will advise you that you will be redirected to payment gateway.  Select  OK
7. Enter new credit card information and then select Submit

1. Browse to bothellwa.gov/utilitybilling and click the “Pay your Bill Online” button
2. Click Online Services on the left-hand side
3. Click Register
4. Complete the Self-Registration form and click Save
5. For additional assistance, watch the step-by-step YouTube video here.

You now have a Citizen Self-Service account. Next, we will link it to your Utility Billing account(s).

1. Click your User in the top-right of the screen and select My Account
2. Click link to account under the Linked Accounts heading
3. Enter your Account and Customer ID numbers and click Submit
   1. Account = Five digits, and begins with a “1”
   2. Customer ID = Seven digits, and begins with a “5” 
   3. (These numbers are available in the Utility Bill header and remit portions of your Bill.)
4. If you are a multiple-property owner, repeat these instructions to link additional accounts

For additional assistance, watch the YouTube video here.

Now that your Utility Billing account is linked, you are ready to pay your bill online.

1. Click here to visit the online bill payment site.
2. Click Online Services on the left-hand side
3. Expand the Utility Billing Account by clicking the “+” button
4. Click Manage Bills
5. Click Add to Cart (If you would like to add multiple bills to your cart, repeat the above three steps)
6. At the top of the screen, click My Cart and then choose Checkout
7. Select your preferred payment method
8. If you would like to enroll in automated recurring payments (auto-pay), click enroll*
9. Click Continue
10. If you would like to overpay or make a partial payment, enter a new Payment Amount
11. Click Continue
12. Enter the Billing and Payment Information on file with the credit card company and click Make Payment

* Please note:  You must make a one-time manual payment after enrolling in auto-pay so the system can capture your credit/debit card information to retain for future payments.

1. Click Citizen Self Service on the left-hand side
2. Expand the Utility Billing Account by clicking the “+” button
3. Click the Account number
4. Click Bill Delivery Preferences at the top of the screen
5. Select your preference, enter your email address, and click Update

1. Click Citizen Self Service on the left-hand side.
2. Expand the Utility Billing Account by clicking the “+” button
3. Click the Account number
4. Click Request Change of Address at the top of the screen
5. Enter your change of address in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS and click Submit

Note: An email address is required to submit a change of address online

1. Click Citizen Self Service on the left-hand side
2. Expand the Utility Billing Account by clicking the “+” button
3. Click the Account number
4. You are brought to the Account Summary page
5. Scroll down to the Services heading and select View Consumption on the right-hand side

1. Click Citizen Self Service on the left-hand side.
2. Expand the Utility Billing Account by clicking the “+” button
3. Click Manage Bills
4. At the Outstanding Bills heading, click Show Past Bills on the right-hand side
5. On any bill, click Bill Details on the right-hand side
6. Click View bill image in the upper-right to view a copy of the billing statement

1. Click Forgot your password? under the Password field
2. Enter your User Name and click Retrieve hint
3. An email will arrive from admin@cityofbothell.onmicrosoft.com containing the password hint that was set when creating your account
4. If you need to reset your password, click the link included in the email to generate a new password
5. Your new temporary password will arrive in another email from the same email address

If you will be gone for an extended period of time, you may want to consider requesting a temporary stop service. There is a fee for turning off the service and for turning it back on. If you would like to temporarily stop service, please complete one of the request forms found here and submit via email Utility Billing.

As a home or business owner, you are responsible for locating and repairing a water leak. If you have a leak repaired, it is important to complete a Leak Adjustment Request Form and submit it along with copies of any paid receipts for repair services or parts purchased. Email form and receipts to Utility Billing to request a review. Irrigation leaks are not eligible for adjustment and leak adjustments for other systems are allowed only once in a three-year time period. 

Anyone may pay any City of Bothell Water & Sewer bill.

This charge applies to all properties within the King County service area connected to sewer on or after February 1, 1990. It pays for building sewage treatment capacity to serve new connections to the regional sewer system. If you have any questions, please read more about the sewer capacity charge or call King County at 206-296-1450.

Yes.  Employees are required to wear a facial covering or mask when performing City business or while on or in City property including City vehicles.  

Reference: COVID-19 Facial Covering/Mask Temporary Policy and Procedure  

According to CDC guidelines, facial covering or masks should: 

• fit snugly or comfortably against the side of the face; 

• fully cover the mouth and nostrils; 

• include multiple layers of fabric; and 

• allow for breathing without restriction. 

Check out the CDC Website for more tips on "How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings"

These are the few exceptions to when a mask or facial covering doesn’t need to be worn while working:

• When following the appropriate procedures to take a facial covering or mask on and off for the purpose of eating or drinking while being able to maintain 6-feet social distance from other individuals.

• When working alone in an office. 

• While driving alone in a vehicle. 

• While working outside alone and while being able to maintain 6-feet social distance from other individuals. 

• For medical reasons, as an accommodation under the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) that has been granted in accordance with City policy. If an employee needs an ADA accommodation they should contact the Human Resources Department. 

• While communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing who relies on language cues as part of communication, provided all individuals maintain 6-feet social distancing. 

• In specific circumstances where a supervisor has determined that it is unsafe for an employee to continue wearing a mask provided the employee is able to maintain 6-feet social distancing. The supervisor must report the circumstance to the Safety Manager. 

• For other operational-related reasons specific to providing services or work required of the employee’s position as provided in department-specific protocols or public health recommendations. 

Even with a facial covering or mask, employees should maintain social distancing of 6-feet or more outside of short and incidental contact such as passing each other in the hallway.

Reference: COVID-19 Facial Covering/Mask Temporary Policy and Procedure 

Facial coverings and masks should be cleaned at least daily. Cloth facial coverings or masks should be laundered. Surgical masks should be cleaned in accordance with public health guidelines and recommendations. Employees are responsible for cleaning their own facial covering or mask. Facial coverings and masks should be dry before each use. 

If a facial covering or mask must be re-worn before cleaning, the employee should wash their hands or at least utilize hand sanitizer immediately after putting the facial covering or mask back on and should avoid touching their face. 

Check out the CDC website on How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings 

All employees have been provided a cloth face covering.  If you need a mask or face covering, please contact your supervisor for one.  

Employees are allowed and encouraged to make, procure, and/or wear their own facial coverings or masks, as long as it complies with the policy. Self-made or procured coverings must comply with any City professional workplace standards and must follow the CDC’s guidelines. Check out the CDC website for “how to” guidelines on making your own mask.

Damaged facial coverings or masks should be removed from service. This includes any facial coverings or masks that: 

• no longer covers the nose and mouth; 

• have stretched or damaged ties or straps; 

• cannot stay on the employee’s face; and/or 

• have holes or tears in the fabric. 

Used/damaged facial coverings or masks must be discarded directly into the trash outside a City building or into a designated used/damaged mask receptacle if one is provided. For questions about where to discard a mask, ask your supervisor. 

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.  People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever (over 100.4)
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

If an employee is showing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath), the employee should immediately inform their manager that they need to leave the workplace. The employee and/or manager should also notify Human Resources by emailing hrhelpdesk@bothellwa.gov.

The employee should immediately contact their health care provider AND the Coronavirus call center for the county they live in to get public health guidance on next steps. King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 206-477-3977; Snohomish Heath District 1-800-525-0127

The employee should immediately begin at-home isolation, and next steps should be made in accordance with guidance from their county health district and the employee’s health care provider.

The employee should remain under at-home isolation for 72 hours after their symptoms resolve before returning to work.

The Bothell Police ROAS policy is available for anyone in the public to view.  In the policy handbook,  you'll find the ROAS policy under: " BPD 220 "

As expressly directed in the ROAS policy, members of the department will consider the privacy concerns of our community every time the ROAS is deployed.  

Here is an excerpt from the policy.

• When a ROAS is being flown, the onboard cameras will be operated so as to keep the area of interest in view and minimize inadvertent close up video or still images of uninvolved persons or property.
• All video recordings and still images will be maintained in compliance with Bothell Police Department policies and procedures as well as state law.  
• The Bothell Police Department ROAS unit will not be used to conduct random surveillance activities. 
• The Bothell Police Department will not subject images or videos from ROAS operations to facial recognition software.  

The Chief of Police has the ultimate authority over the ROAS program. The Chief will appoint a division commander to manage the program. The division commander will appoint a Program Coordinator and they will manage the program, pilots, observers, and aircraft. Supervisors and pilots will make decisions regarding the deployment of the ROAS.

The aircraft is equipped with a camera system capable of recording video and still image files. The aircraft does not have the capability to examine images using any sort of facial recognition software. Additionally, department policy does not allow for images or videos to be subjected to facial recognition processes.

The department has a robust complaint procedure in place.  Any person may call the department and ask to speak with the duty supervisor – 425.486.1254.  Or, any person can file a complaint/compliment online.

The department has the ROAS policy and the flight logs for operations posted on our website. Additionally, incidents involving the use of a ROAS are subject to the public disclosure laws.

Flight logs:  We are currently working with a flight data company to ensure flight logs can be accessed through our web page.  A public portal will be posted as soon as possible.  This flight data information will be available to the public, through our website without the need to file a public records request. 

The department engaged on multiple occasions with the community during the development of the ROAS program.  The policy and procedures governing the ROAS program were shaped after a full review of the questions, comments, concerns, and suggestions by community members.  These engagement opportunities included:

• 2 “Conversations with the Chief” online forums where “drones” were the main focus of conversation
• 2 online forums that specifically addressed concerns, questions, comments, and suggestions for the ROAS program
• 1 Bothell Interfaith online forum that was specifically focused on the ROAS program and addressed  concerns, questions, comments, and suggestions for the program
• 1 presentation at the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce
• Multiple conversations and online meetings with community members to address specific concerns

When a ROAS unit has been deployed to a particular area,  the flight log will simply pinpoint the nearest available address.  That address may have nothing to do with the reason for deployment or police response.  For example,  if a ROAS unit is assisting with a traffic-crash investigation, the flight log may show the address of the closest-available address in relation to the crash site.  

Yes!  The flight log is always available on our web page.  Learn more about how the flight log works,  and where to find the flight log.

If you have more questions about a specific ROAS flight shown in the flight log, more information may be available through a public records request. If you have questions about how the flight log works,  please reach out to program coordinator Captain Mike Johnson.

We'd like to hear from you, and are happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please contact Captain Mike Johnson. 

Northshore School District students who need food security will benefit from the food grown in the garden. In partnership with the school district, the Northshore YMCA is a Totes to Go program hub where school nurses and social workers can come to pick up discreet bags or backpacks containing meals for students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program. In addition to non-perishable food, students will now also have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The food grown here will also help support students in the YMCA's afterschool programs. By involving youth in the growing and harvesting of the garden, they will become more connected to where their food comes from and get a better understanding of urban agriculture.

YMCA staff will oversee the garden maintenance, which will mainly be done by youth enrolled in the YMCA's afterschool and summer programming.

To reduce maintenance, drip irrigation will help reduce the amount of labor involved in watering the plans, and the gravel surrounding the raised garden beds will reduce the weeds germinating in the soil of the raised beds. 

Snohomish Conservation District will provide technical assistance and guidance when needed.

A healthy garden requires a combination of these components:

• Healthy soil
  • Adding compost and soil amendments helps keep soil nourished.
  • Rotating crops helps reduce fungal and bacterial issues for vegetables.
• Sunlight
  • Most vegetable varieties need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight in the growing season.
  • Leafy greens and root vegetables can often survive with less sunlight, but it depends on the specific variety.
• Adequate moisture
  • Most plants do best with at least 1" of water per week in the growing season.
  • You can determine how much time it takes to water 1" by doing the tuna can test: Place an empty tuna can near your plants. Turn on your regular watering source (drip irrigation, sprinkler, watering can) and time how long it takes to fill the tuna can. However long it took to fill the can is how long you should water your plants each week.
  • Adding compost to the soil surface will increase water retention.
  • Watering as close to the root systems of plants as possible will increase the absorption rate. This also helps reduce the chance of blight* affecting vegetable varieties like tomatoes.

*Blight is a disease or injury of plants marked by the formation of lesions, withering, and death of parts (such as leaves and tubers).

Community food gardens are volunteer-led initiatives that require internal processes and communication systems to function well. The following questions, created by Pierce Conservation District, will help you develop a framework for working together to manage the garden long-term. It is important that as many stakeholders as possible contribute to the formation of this framework to ensure that it represents the collective wisdom of the group. Your guiding document will be something that is updated over time as the group learns and evolves. 

Once you've considered the questions below, contact your local conservation district if you have a location in mind that you think could successfully host a community garden. 

Vision/purpose 

Goal

Allow every participant to voice their ideas and hopes for the space (i.e. what is calling each person to participate?). This will inform the way you develop the project. 

• What type of community project does the group want to create?
• What is the purpose of the project? 
• Who will the project serve? 

Organizational structure and leadership 

Goal

Agree upon a system for how participants will work together to manage the project and make decisions in the future. 

• What type of organizational and leadership structure makes sense? 
• What type of decision-making structure will we use? Who makes decisions? 
• If we form a leadership team or committee, which decisions are made by the smaller group and which decisions are made by all gardeners? 
• How will leadership be transitioned over time (and how will new leaders be encouraged to come forward?) 
• How will we change the rules once we've made them? 
• How will we ensure that maximum participation is encouraged to shape the garden moving forward? 
• What roles do we need to be successful? (People can perform multiple roles.) 
  Common examples of roles: 
  • Site Coordinator (point person for entire project) 
  • Maintenance Coordinator (keeps an eye on physical site) 
  • Plot assignment and management of a waiting list (if appropriate) 
  • Communication (keeping participants in the know about events, etc.) 
  • Money management (collecting fees, managing budget) 
  • Additional roles (you can come up with your own, too!) 
    • Food Bank Plot Coordinator
    • Education Coordinator
    • Children’s Area Coordinator
    • Outreach/Events Coordinator
    • Compost Coordinator

Participation/maintenance 

Goal

Clarify systems for maintaining the site and how that work will be accomplished – make sure to be specific about standards of care at both the individual and communal level. 

• What level of participation do we expect at both the individual level (maintaining individual plots weed-free) and the communal level (participating in the maintenance of communal areas)? 
• How will we provide opportunities to participate (assign tasks, hold work parties)? 
• How will we manage if people don’t participate at the expected level? What are the consequences?
• How will we manage the site in times of high demand as well as low demand (how are extra plots assigned?) 

Communication 

Goal

Successful projects maintain maximum participation in decision-making. Agree upon tools and practices that the group will use to make sure that all participants and stakeholders are able to communicate so this can happen easily over time. 

• What is the best way for the group to communicate and ensure no one is left out? 
• When should meetings take place? How often? Where? 
• How will other people and organizations know about the group and the garden? How do we involve the neighbors that aren’t here? How do we maintain communications with the nonparticipant stakeholders over time (i.e. neighbors)?

Conflict resolution 

Goal

Develop a system for managing conflict so that disagreements can be processed in a way that strengthens the group. 

• How will we handle issues where people do not agree? One idea is to meet in a smaller group with the interested parties and a neutral facilitator. 
• How we will ensure that our garden is a welcoming place for all to contribute ideas? 
• How will we ensure that our decision-making process is transparent? 

Group processes 

Goal

Develop any necessary procedures for managing the administrative or other supportive processes. 

• Tracking money: Will we collect money from participants? How will we make decisions about spending it? How will we maintain transparency in the management of money? Will there be a sliding scale or other system to ensure money is not a barrier to participation? 
• Fundraising: Will we write grants or request donations to support projects at the site? How will the grants be processed (who is your 501c3?) How will the money be managed? 
• Water access: How will we gain access to water and who will be responsible for the bill? 
• Insurance: Is additional insurance necessary? Who will be responsible? 
• Neighbors: Developing and maintaining good relationships is critical. Think also of local business and community groups as well – they often have resources and ideas to contribute.

More resources

In addition to what's above, Harvest Pierce County has a number of helpful resources on their website. 

Check out their guides :

• Community Garden Development Toolkit (PDF)
• Questions for Starting a Community Garden (Word Document)
• Community Garden Tips (PDF)
• Charter Template (Word Document)

To focus on natural resources conservation, the eight wooden raised beds were made from materials that used to be shipping containers. The practice of using reclaimed materials in a garden space is part of reducing waste, an element involved in permaculture. Using harvested rainwater to feed the plants is also another way to conserve resources.

The garden also has two metal raised beds (similar to animal troughs) that were already part of the garden space before the wooden beds and rain barrels were added. When using metal planters with bottoms that are flush with the ground, be sure to drill some holes in the bottom to allow water to drain and soak into the ground. This helps prevent soil from becoming fungal from too much moisture.

The garden has two 55-gallon rain barrels that harvest rainwater collected from the roof of the building during rainstorms.

The rain barrels provide multiple benefits:

• They conserve water by storing it to use on plants when they need it
• They limit stormwater runoff during a storm surge
• They help prevent contaminants from entering local waterways
• They help reduce erosion issues and keep water away from the building's foundation

Based on the size of an average roof, a 1" rainfall could fill approximately 10 55-gallon rain barrels!

Learn more about rain barrels.

The garden is equipped with drip irrigation using soaker hoses, which work best for low-pressure irrigation systems like rain barrels. Elevating the rain barrels on something like cement blocks increases the pressure generated from gravity.

Bothell is located in Planting Zone 8b. Planting zones help determine what vegetable varieties will be the most successful for each month. This takes into account the first and last frost dates for that region. In this zone, we have a long growing season. Most vegetable varieties are able to mature before the first frost date of December 1. The last frost date is April 1.

Use this chart to determine what grows best in our region and when, and visit the vegetable planting calendar guide for more details.

Growing times depend on the vegetable variety. Beans, lettuce, spinach, summer squash, broccoli, cucumber, radish, and beets can take about 70 days. Peppers, carrots, cauliflower, peas, cabbage, garlic, tomato, winter squash, onion, and pumpkin usually take about 120 days.

Starting your vegetables by seed indoors will quicken the growing process once you transplant them outside. Typically, most seeds will germinate (sprout) within two weeks if you start them indoors.

Overwintering involves adding a cover crop like certain kinds of clover varieties or crops from the legume family (beans, peas, etc.) to your garden beds during the non-growing season. Doing so helps provide nitrogen to the soil to keep it healthy for the upcoming growing season.

Adding compost or mulch to the soil surface during winter can also help improve soil health because it makes it harder for nutrients to leach out of the soil during extreme weather conditions.

Check out this educational video we made with Joe Crumbley, Snohomish Conservation District's Urban Agriculture Program Coordinator.

Snohomish Conservation District’s Lawns to Lettuce program provides education and support for landowners who want to convert their lawn and grow edibles in a way that builds healthy soil, protects pollinators, minimizes pesticide use, reduces runoff, and conserves water. 

If your garden space grows more vegetables than you need, consider donating them through the Plant A Row campaign.

Visit Snohomish Conservation District's Lawns to Lettuce website to learn more about the program.

• Ultimately, our community evaluates us and our service. We work for you and our actions and public safety services must meet our community’s needs and standards.
• We are a state accredited agency and have been for many years. As such, we are operating under defined industry standards, to include areas such as code of conduct, internal affairs, prisoner security, hiring, retention, training, discipline, de-escalation and use of force.
• In 2019, we were re-accredited, which is a process we complete every four years. As part of that process, we meet 137 different standards set forth by WASPC, to show we are in compliance with best practices and standards. Of the 244 law enforcement agencies in Washington, we are one of 52 that are designated as state accredited.

Our policies and procedures are available here for the public to view.

We want to hear feedback about our officers. If you have a complaint, compliment or want to send us feedback, the easiest way to do this is by using our online form. You can also call the department directly at 425-486-1254 and ask for a supervisor, or, if you are not comfortable reporting directly to the police, you can call the City Manager at 425-806-6100.

• Currently, we do not equip our officers with body worn cameras, however the department supports the implementation of a body worn camera program.
• There are a wide range of budgetary, legislative and privacy concerns associated with implementing officer worn body cameras. In addition to the cost of the equipment and systems, this would require additional staffing to manage and maintain video files and to provide services for public disclosure requests. As part of our budgeting process, we will continue to evaluate available resources required to implement this program.
• We will continue to monitor the legislative actions regarding these issues.

• Yes. Our policy provides clear guidance to our officers to utilize de-escalation tactics when circumstances permit and when feasible to reduce or eliminate the necessity to use physical force.
• Any use of force is reviewed and evaluated to determine what de-escalation techniques were used. De-escalation is always a part of the training and policy discussion during our annual use of force training. It is also a mandatory requirement to cover de-escalation in regards to WAC 139-11-020, and Initiative 940 implemented on December 7, 2019.
• We also participate in the Response Awareness, De-escalation And Referral (RADAR) program, which addresses the rights and needs of individuals with behavioral health issues and/or developmental disabilities. Having the expert help and assistance of these Mental Health Professionals is very valuable for our officers and ultimately may help reduce use of force incidents.

• Policy 200.10 states, “A verbal warning should precede the use of deadly force, where feasible.”
• Policy 200 addresses verbal warnings with respect to all deadly force encounters – not just shootings.

• Our use of force policy is based on the concept that officers shall use only the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary, given the facts and circumstances at the time of the use of force.
• Policy 200.8 lists several factors to consider when determining if force is necessary and reasonable. For example, the subject’s mental state or capacity, the availability of other options and their possible effectiveness, and whether the conduct of the individual being confronted no longer reasonably appears to pose an imminent threat to the officer or others.

• Policy 200.11 states, “Shots fired at or from a moving vehicle are rarely effective and generally discouraged. Unless it reasonably appears that it would endanger officers or the public, officers are expected to move out of the path of any approaching vehicle. This is not intended to restrict an officer’s right to use deadly force directed at the operator of a vehicle when it is reasonably perceived that the vehicle is being used as a weapon against the officer or others. Officers should not shoot at any part of a vehicle in an attempt to disable the vehicle.”

• Yes. Policy 200.4 states, “Any officer present or directly observing another officer using force beyond that which is objectively reasonable under the circumstances shall, as soon as practicable, intercede to prevent the use of unreasonable force. An officer who observes, or has information that another employee uses force that exceeds the degree of force permitted by law shall promptly report the incident(s) to a supervisor.”

• The term “use of force continuum” refers to an outdated use of force model. As a state accredited agency, our use of force policy is based on the fundamental concepts of de-escalation, reasonableness and necessity.

• Yes. As a state accredited agency, we are required to ensure we meet a lengthy list of standards as set forth by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The Bothell Police Department has been a long-standing state accredited agency because we continue to meet these standards. One of the standards involves the reporting of force used by officers and it requires that any force capable of causing injury has to be reported. All use of force events are thoroughly reviewed by a supervisor, a division captain, and the Professional Standards Unit to ensure compliance with our policies, state standards, and legal requirements. In certain cases, such as an officer involved shootings or deadly force encounters, an independent investigative team will be assigned to investigate the incident.

"No-knock warrants" are illegal in the state of Washington.  See RCW 10.31.040, which strongly states that officers must always make their presence and purpose known. 

RCW 10.31.040

Officer may break and enter.

(1) To make an arrest in criminal actions, the officer may break open any outer or inner door, or windows of a dwelling house or other building, or any other enclosure, if, after notice of his or her office and purpose, he or she be refused admittance.

(2) An officer may not seek and a court may not issue a search or arrest warrant granting an express exception to the requirement for the officer to provide notice of his or her office and purpose when executing the warrant.

 

Pop Shops On Main nurtures new small business owners by removing barriers to starting a small business and providing technical resources.

Participants in Pop Shops On Main are provided a 8’ x 10’ retail space that includes utilities, heat, a portable AC unit, and garbage service.

No. A portable restroom is located on site.

Entrepreneurs are required to pay 10% of their monthly revenue, keep regular shop hours, provide their own signage, participate in monthly roundtable discussions, and take Bothell's Small Business Workshop Series which includes Business Basics, Creating a Business Plan, Marketing, and Financing. 

There are a variety of resources available at no cost or low cost for small businesses. See link for a list of opportunities. 

No but entrepreneurs are required to pay 10% of their monthly revenue, 

Pop Shops are required to maintain regular business hours: Thursday – Saturday, noon – 6 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

Entrepreneurs enter into a concession agreement with the City of Bothell, are required to a City of Bothell business license, and insurance.

Classes cost $67 for residents of Bothell city limits/Snohomish County Fire District #10 or $78 for non-residents. Additional fees — including Washington State sales tax and Eventbrite processing fees — will be added at checkout.

The minimum number of students is 3 and the maximum is 16.   

This class is for everyone. Everyone can benefit from learning the lifesaving skill of CPR. It is ideal for parents and caregivers or others who need a course in first aid, CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory or other requirements. At the end of the course, students receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED (Adult, Child and Infant) Course Completion Card that is valid for 2 years.  

This course covers infant, child, and adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), AED (automated external defibrillator) training, and procedures for administering aid to choking victims. Students learn to recognize warning signs of heart attack and stroke in adults and breathing difficulties in children. This program teaches rescue breathing with and without the use of barrier devices. Upon completion of the course, students receive an AHA Heartsaver CPR AED card that is valid for two years from the date of issue.  

Heartsaver CPR/AED starts promptly at 8:30 am and ends at 12:00 pm.  

Check-in starts at 8:00 am.   

We appreciate your understanding that we cannot certify anyone who does not attend the entire class. The class involves practicing and testing of certain skills; if you arrive more than 20 minutes late or after the first skills test, you will be asked to reschedule.  

No. Please pack a snack and water. A filling station is available onsite for reusable water bottles.   

For this class, you will be getting on the floor to practice and demonstrate CPR and AED use, so please dress accordingly. The classroom also tends to be cool, so please consider bringing a jacket.  

We make every effort to avoid cancelling classes. In the event of a cancellation, we notify the class via email as early as possible. In addition, we will call the phone number you provided during registration. Registration staff will then email you within one week after the cancelled class to reschedule or issue a refund.  

All payments go through Eventbrite and their secure online payment system.  

Yes, the group course fee is $535 for a minimum of 4 students and maximum of 8 students per course. If your team would like, we can facilitate two courses simultaneously with an additional instructor making the fee $1,070 for a course of up to 16. Additional fees — including Washington State sales tax and Eventbrite processing fees — will be added at checkout.

Group/business classes are available Monday - Friday during business hours. 

For specialized groups, please call 425-806-6260 or email fireeducation@bothellwa.gov.  

Yes. All Heartsaver CPR/AED & First Aid classes are wheelchair-accessible. Participants will be asked to perform certain skills; however, some modifications can be made as needed (for example, performing CPR on a table instead of the ground). If accommodations are needed, please email fireeducation@bothellwa.gov or call at 425-806-6260.  

Almost always, yes. If accommodations are needed, please email fireeducation@bothellwa.gov or call at 425-806-6260.  

Due to the size and length of the class, this class is not appropriate for young children.  

To continue to deliver the level of service and quality you expect, CPR & AED/First Aid rates have increased to match operating costs.

If you live in Bothell city limits, all fireworks are banned from being discharged except for sparklers, tanks, and novelty devices. Sparklers, tanks, and novelty devices can only be discarded between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. on July 4th. See Bothell Municipal Code 8.37.

The discharge of fireworks is prohibited in all unincorporated areas of King County, and in unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County.

Visit the webpages for King County or Snohomish County for details. 

Examples of novelty devices are toy-caps, snappers, pop-its, snakes, glow worms or confetti pops. These generally are found at grocery or party stores and are sold year-round. 

Law enforcement enforces the ban. Response may be limited as calls are prioritized based on the most emergent.

The sale of consumer fireworks in Bothell is illegal.

Tanks and sparklers can only be discharged on private property on July 4th between the hours of 9am-11pm.  

Speeding is dangerous and often deadly. In 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 12,330 fatalities where at least one driver was speeding, 29 percent of total traffic fatalities for the year. An estimated 326,000 people were injured in speeding-related crashes.

A vehicle’s level of speed also has a significant impact on a pedestrian’s level of risk for severe injury or death. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 m.p.h. is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed, compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 m.p.h.

The City of Bothell and the Bothell Police Department have partnered with Verra Mobility to utilize state-of-the-art speed safety cameras to help decrease potential violations at school zone locations. Speed safety cameras are proven to be effective in reducing crashes as well as pedestrian-related injuries. Most importantly, communities that use speed safety cameras consistently report safer roads around their schools.

According to USDOT, speed safety cameras can reduce crashes by over 50%.

The use of school zone speed safety cameras in Bothell was authorized under the State statute, RCW 46.61.440 as enforced by Bothell city code 10.65: Speeding in a School Zone.

The Bothell Municipal Court has much more information available about infractions,  including school-speed-zone infractions.  Whether you need payment options, or wish to contest the infraction,  you will find answers to many questions under Infractions on the Bothell Municipal Court page. 

Yes.   In addition to existing school-zone signs with warning beacons,  new signs have been posted to let drivers know when they're approaching a speed zone that is photo enforced. 

Each school's unique schedule determines the appropriate times of day for the warning beacons (and speed zone cameras) to be activated,  to help keep students safe during peak school traffic times before and after school.  The warning-beacon activation times are different, because each school must consider its own before and after school programs, early-release schedules, and other factors.

The best way to help keep our school zones safe (and avoid school-zone speeding tickets) is to slow down when children are present and observe school-zone signs, including warning beacons.  The speed limit in school zones, when warning beacons are flashing, is 20 mph.   Speed-zone cameras will only be active when warning beacons are flashing.

The City of Bothell utilizes fixed-speed safety systems.

Notice of Infractions are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle after police review and approval of the data and recorded images.

The speed safety camera installations represent state-of-the-art technology that is precise and unbiased in its ability to identify vehicles speeding.

In addition to the camera enforcement systems in place, Bothell Police Officers will be in our school zones watching for speeding drivers and interacting school safety patrol personnel.    

The Bothell Police Department Traffic Unit also conducts regular emphasis patrols in school zones, and throughout Bothell as part of its ongoing, active role with the Snohomish County Target Zero Task Force,  dedicated to reducing traffic fatalities and deaths to ZERO by 2030 through education and enforcement.  The focus of the task force is impaired driving, distracted driving, pedestrian and bicyclist safety. 

Please contact the program manager, Captain John Rogers of the Bothell Police Department. 

The City is evaluating regional fire services to ensure Bothell has the strongest, most sustainable fire and emergency response model for both the community and the firefighters who serve it. As Bothell continues to grow and calls for service become more complex, the City wants to make sure the fire department has the staffing, training, resources, and long‑term stability needed to keep pace. Regional fire service is also the predominant model in our area, with Bothell being one of only eight cities in King and Snohomish Counties that still operates its own fire department. Exploring a regional approach is a natural step in planning for the future.

Yes. Firefighters have been actively involved in the City’s conversations about regionalization for many years. Both department leadership and the local firefighters’ union have participated in evaluating different service models that would best support firefighter safety, professional development, and long‑term service delivery. 

The Shoreline Fire Department Regional Fire Authority is a potential fit for Bothell for several reasons: 

• Proximity: Shoreline Fire Department RFA borders Bothell and already serves our neighboring communities of Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, and the Town of Woodway. 
• Existing partnership: Bothell currently contracts with Shoreline Fire Department RFA for executive level administration. 
• Regional model alignment: Shoreline Fire Department RFA operates within the same regional mutual‑aid network as the City of Bothell and shares similar service expectations.

For community members, daily fire and emergency services would look the same. Response times, service levels, and the way emergencies are handled won’t be experienced any differently. The primary change would be organizational: Bothell’s fire department would become part of a larger regional agency, and behind the scenes, this can increase staffing depth, training opportunities, and operational support. 

No. Bothell’s fire stations will remain open and staffed, and emergency responses will continue to come from the closest available units – just as they do today. Regionalization does not mean moving firefighters out of Bothell or pulling services from other cities.

The City of Bothell will continue to own its fire stations. Those facilities and resources will remain in service to the community, regardless of whether regionalization moves forward.

No. No firefighters will lose their jobs as part of regionalization. In fact, most personnel would transition seamlessly into the regional fire authority with equivalent positions, pay, and benefits they have today. A regional model would also create more opportunities for advanced training, promotion, and specialization. 

Three Bothell city councilmembers would become members of the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority’s Board of Commissioners, if an agreement with the Shoreline RFA is adopted. The City Council will select these council members in the same way they do for other council committee appointments, as a group during a public Council meeting.

The exact financial impacts of moving to a regional fire services model are still being evaluated. As part of the formal review process, the City will analyze the full cost and funding structure to understand what regionalization would mean for Bothell taxpayers. The goal is to best utilize tax dollars and maximize their impact in delivering fire services that sustainably meet the needs of our community. 

If Bothell were to adopt a regional model, the regional fire authority would collect tax revenue to fund fire services instead of the City funding it through its general fund. For taxpayers, this would function as a relative shift in where their fire services dollars are sourced from. 

Bothell would also maintain a voice in future tax decisions. Three Bothell councilmembers would serve on the RFA’s governing commission, giving the City direct representation in discussions about budgets, assessments, and long‑term financial planning. 

More detailed financial information will be shared as the evaluation continues and community input is gathered. 

The process to formally evaluate a regional fire services model follows many years of research and conversations with firefighters, City staff, and the community. Given Bothell’s projected growth, the City is evaluating how to maintain strong, sustainable fire and emergency services well into the future. 

Regional fire authorities depend on contiguous service areas. In 2025, the Shoreline Regional Fire Authority (RFA) officially formed when voters in Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline passed Proposition 1 to combine the Northshore and Shoreline Fire Departments. This new RFA creates a direct connection between Bothell and the Shoreline RFA. That alignment opens the door for Bothell to explore joining a regional system that already serves adjacent communities and operates within the same emergency response network. 

Together, these factors make it an ideal time for the City to formally explore whether regionalization is the best long‑term approach for Bothell. 

Photo-enforced infractions are processed like parking tickets and will not appear on your driving record.  

Information about payment is printed on the infraction you received in the mail.  You can also find information at www.bothellwa.gov/1245/Payment-Options

 You may view your images online at www.ViolationInfo.com. You will need your Citation # and PIN shown on the front of the Notice of Infraction you received in the mail.

Yes,  Information about how to contest or mitigate is mailed along with your infraction notice.  You can also find this information on the Bothell Municipal Court webpage under Infractions.

The registered owner of a vehicle will be mailed the Notice of Infraction, which will include information about the process for completing and sending a sworn statement, under oath, declaring non-responsibility for the vehicle at the time of the infraction.  

Safety cameras were added to several Bothell school zones in the fall of 2023.  You can learn more about the project, timeline and purpose at https://www.bothellwa.gov/2205/School-Zone-Speed-Enforcement.

Lot EFG is one of six cleanup sites in historic downtown. In 2006, the City of Bothell embarked on an ambitious plan to transform its downtown. Part of that plan is to clean up contaminated groundwater and soil left behind by gas stations, vehicle maintenance facilities, and dry cleaners over the past 100 years. 

The City of Bothell is working closely with the Department of Ecology to remediate all six lots, including EFG. The City anticipates the site to be ready for redevelopment in 6 to 8 years.  

You can find information about the about the cleanup process and timeline here. 

Once the site is remediated, the city will consider future redevelopment opportunities  You can learn more about the City’s Downtown Redevelopment Plan here. 

Cleanup work will be conducted in a manner that prevents property owners, property visitors, and project workers from exposure to contamination. 

Be part of the process and get involved by taking the five-minute Lot EFG survey by November 10, 2023.

Once the survey window has closed, your feedback will be shared with members of Council to help them decide if anything will be done with EFG during the 6-to-8-year site cleanup/monitoring period.

Not at this time. A Bothell permit is required to serve in Bothell. 

The Regional Food Checklist is a document used by permitting agencies to ensure inspections are being performed the same across the region. This is not a permit.

Yes but please be advised the permit is attached to the mobile food vehicle and can be used for other events.

Not to serve in Bothell, but if supplied during the application process for a permit, a 50% discount will be applied. 

This permit type requires two weeks for processing and review. Bothell does not have a process  to expedite any permits so please plan accordingly especially during times of high activity.

If you have a permit from another city that is currently active, upload the document during the application process and a 50% discount will be applied. Please note that the discount cannot be applied once the permit has been issued. Permits from a Health Department or business licenses are not eligible for the discount.

Mobile food vending was not addressed by the International Fire Code until the 2018 version. Bothell established the permit when the 2018 IFC was adopted.

Yes, fire code is applied to private property and events as well as public property and events. If serving on a public road/parking lot, contact with the Permitting Department to determine if a Right of Way Permit is required.

Yes, the International Fire Code requires that permits are printed and with the vehicle. Many owners/operators maintain a binder containing their permits and other documents required such as business licenses for each city and health department permits. 

If your permit was issued, you can log into My Building Permit and download another copy.

The work for Bothell’s 2040 City Council Vision was done by the Council at their retreat in January 2023 with adoption in March 2023.

Please submit the costs in hard copy only. The copy of the fees does not count against the 25 pages.

Please submit a minimum of three references and no more than five references.

Once contracts have been signed and a notice to proceed has been issued, 52 weeks (12 months) is the anticipated length of time to complete all components of the Economic Development Vitality Plan scope of work.

This parcel is ideally positioned in our growing and transit-rich Downtown, providing convenient access to jobs, schools, parks, and other services. This accessibility can reduce transportation cost burdens and support improved community health outcomes. It presents a unique opportunity to deliver new homes and potentially public amenities or community space.

Washington state is experiencing a housing crisis. Bothell City Council has prioritized creating more long-term affordable housing opportunities, and we must plan for ways to meet housing targets established by Washington State HB 1220, the Growth Management Act, and the Puget Sound Regional Council. Often, affordable housing developments are more successful if cities, government agencies, and community-based organizations partner, and the City recognizes and values Bothell United Methodist Church’s long-standing legacy of community services and support in Bothell. 

An LOI is a non-binding agreement between two parties. It is often used in real estate to get two parties on the same page before moving forward to a more formal Purchase and Sale agreement. While the letter of intent is not legally binding, it demonstrates a basic level of commitment that can help negotiations without the need to focus on minor details that can be ironed out later. 

If City Council approves an LOI, the next step would be to negotiate a Purchase and Sale agreement (PSA). A PSA is a document written up and signed after a buyer and seller mutually agree on the price and terms of a real estate transaction.

Some of the highlights of the full draft LOI are: 

• The City is asking Bothell United Methodist and developers to maximize the number of affordable rental homes built on the property, thereby increasing benefits to the public. To help with development capacity, the City is proposing that a development agreement be done to provide flexibility in zoning and development regulations. This could include maximum building heights, maximum building floors, maximum building length, and minimum off-street parking. 
• Describes an arrangement in which Bothell United Methodist will own the land and have a ground lease with Bridge Housing. Currently, it is expected to deliver approximately 200 units of long-term affordable housing operated by Bridge, with an indoor community area, human services offices, job training space, and community meeting areas operated by BUMC or an entity created by BUMC. 
• The parcel will be transferred at no monetary cost to Bothell United Methodist, recognizing and accounting for public benefits provided to the community by BUMC.  
• The City is not expected or obligated to provide any future support, financial or otherwise, to BUMC or Bridge for any part of the project. 
• Once the LOI is finalized, the City and BUMC will work together to finalize the Purchase and Sale agreement within 90 days. If a Purchase and Sale agreement is finalized, BUMC will then have five years to secure funding and meet all requirements of the agreement. If they are unable to do so, the property will not be transferred to BUMC.

The City has just recently completed the cleanup, so it has not actively marketed this parcel. However, the City did have the property appraised in June 2022, when the fair market value was estimated to be approximately $6M.

Around $4M, including purchase, clean up, and legal services. This does not include the city cost for streets, utilities, and other infrastructure improvements made in the area. Those costs were intended to be reimbursed by the new owner when property within the area is developed. It also does not include staff time. 

City Council recognizes BUMC's long-standing community service and values its steadfast interest in delivering affordable housing and needed community services to Bothell’s residents. BUMC's history and involvement in our community make it uniquely poised and well-equipped for this partnership. 

We don’t have all of these details yet, as we are only in the early phases of a LOI, but it is expected to deliver approximately 200 units of affordable housing. We do know that long-term affordable housing opportunities will be provided to households of various sizes earning less than 80% of the area’s median income (AMI).

Once the LOI is finalized, the City and BUMC will work together to finalize the Purchase and Sale agreement within 90 days. If this happens, BUMC and Bridge will then have five years to secure funding and meet the requirements of the Purchase and Sale agreement before the land will be transferred to BUMC.

City Council discussed this decision during a June 25, 2024, study session and could potentially take action on the LOI later in the summer or early fall of 2024.

Wild animal sightings do not need to be reported.  

Please visit our page on Wildlife in Bothell for more information and additional resources.

All dogs need to be kept in control by a leash in all city parks and public areas. Voice control is not considered "under control."

If you are found to be in violation of the Bothell Leash Laws you may receive a $250 ticket for "Dog Running at Large" BMC 6.16.010(B). 

The Leash Laws are in place to keep people and pets safe. Questions about Bothell Parks? Please email Parks and Recreation.

Reporting Lost  Pets

• If you have lost a cat or dog, please contact Everett Animal Shelter at 425-257-6000. 
• Local Social Media Groups are very helpful in reuniting lost pets with their owners. A few on Facebook include; Lost Pets of Bothell,  Lost Pets of Snohomish County, Lost Pets of King County.
• You can also leave a message for the Bothell Animal Control Officer at 425-487-5145 with a full description and location of the lost/found pet.

Yes! Pet owners are required to clean up after pets. Learn more about the law and health concerns. 

Follow these steps if you have been bitten by an animal within the city limits of Bothell:

1. Wash the bite with soap and water, or go to the doctor to have it properly cleaned.
2. If you haven’t received a tetanus shot within five years, it is important that you do so within 48 hours of being bitten. Contact your doctor for more information.
3. Report all dog and cat bites to the Bothell Police Department at 425-577-5656. Additionally, if the dog bite you suffered broke the skin and you reside in the King County portion of Bothell, report the bite to King County Health Department at 206-263-8454. If you reside in the Snohomish County portion of Bothell, report the bite to Snohomish County Health Department at 425-339-5278.
4. File a statement with Bothell Police Department Animal Control. If there are witnesses to the incident, have them file statements as well. Officers will investigate the bite incident once a statement has been filed with Bothell Police Animal Control. Citations and/or Potentially Dangerous Dog declarations may be issued based on witness statements received by Animal Control. Witness statements must be filed before any official action can be taken.

Links:  

King County Public Health:  Information about animal bites

Snohomish County Public Health:  Information about animal bites

In King County: 

Please visit the  King County Health Department: Information about rabies and prevention.

In Snohomish County: 

Please visit the Snohomish County Health Department:  Animal bites & concerns.

Yes, there are limits.  Please see Owning Animals in Bothell for detailed information. 

Bothell has contracted with the Everett Animal Shelter to accept owner-surrendered pets through its Re-Homing Program (fees do apply).  The Everett Animal Shelter will also accept stray pets that are found within Bothell City limits (by appointment only).

The Everett Animal Shelter is located at 333 Smith Island Road in Everett. For hours and directions call 425-257-6000. You can also find information on the City of Everett's website. 

Yes! There are beavers who live in Bothell. Learn more about beavers and other wildlife in our city. 

Bothell has contracted with the Everett Animal Shelter to accept owner-surrendered pets through its Re-Homing Program (fees do apply).  

The Everett Animal Shelter is located at 333 Smith Island Road in Everett. For hours and directions call 425-257-6000. You can also find information on the City of Everett's website. 

• To learn more about the laws in Washington State regarding Animal Cruelty, please read the RCW here.
• It is important to first be informed of what is considered animal cruelty or neglect before making the decision to file a report and share evidence. In Washington State, there are two levels of Animal Cruelty, and both require some level of pain or suffering to occur to the animal . The City of Bothell does not have it's own Animal Neglect law at this time, and follows the State requirement for violations and sentencing.
• If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected in Bothell City limits, please call 911 or the non-emergency line at 425-577-5656.
• Be prepared to complete a witness statement form for the Officer, and provide the address the abuse is occurring.

A certain amount of noise must be tolerated living in urban and suburban areas, as it is part of daily life. However, when the noise becomes unreasonable, such as a chronic, excessive barking dog, we offer these suggestions. 

If a neighbor’s dog barks regularly

1. Speak to the dog owner directly.  
2. If that is not possible, send them a letter.  Being neighborly, offering solutions and compromises, and allowing some time are all part of solving the problem at a neighborhood level.
3. If the problem continues, contact Bothell Police Animal Control and provide the address of the offending dog. An officer will contact the household and encourage them to solve the problem to avoid further action.
4. If the dog continues to cause noise to an unreasonable degree, please contact Bothell Police Animal Control again. We will provide you with a witness statement. Once you have completed the witness statement, the owner of the offending dog may receive a written warning.
5. Ongoing issues can ultimately result in a case being sent to the City's prosecuting attorney, who may issue a citation.

If your dog barks regularly

If you have a dog that barks regularly, investigate and determine why your dog is barking. Here are some reasons for barking and some possible solutions:

• Excess energy: Dogs often bark in order to get rid of excess energy. Going for walks, playing ball or visiting off-leash parks are some ways to help your dog work off that pent-up energy. When you are gone, leave some chew toys at home for your dog.
• Noises: New or sudden noises can incite dogs to bark. While you’re away, turn on a radio when your pet is in an enclosed space. This way, your dog won’t hear every noise and will be less likely to react.
• Outside distractions: Your dog may see people and dogs passing by outside your house. These distractions may threaten or frighten your dog. Obscuring your dog's view of the outside can keep your dog more at ease. Block windows with curtains, shades or large blankets. You may also want to install a wooden fence or add slats to a chain-link fence.

Communication

Contact your neighbors and tell them that you are working on the dog-barking problem. Solicit their help to keep track of when and why your dog is barking. Encourage them to contact you when there is a problem.

Yes! Pets are part of your family, so you'll want to include them in your emergency preparedness and readiness plans. Here's more information about how be a prepared pet owner, ready for an emergency.

Reporting Lost or Found Pets

• If you have lost/found a cat or dog, please contact Everett Animal Shelter at 425-257-6000. 
• Local Social Media Groups are very helpful in reuniting lost pets with their owners. A few on Facebook include; Lost Pets of Bothell,  Lost Pets of Snohomish County, Lost Pets of King County.
• You can also leave a message for the Bothell Animal Control Officer at 425-487-5145 with a full description and location of the lost/found pet.

If you live in Bothell, your dog or cat needs a City of Bothell pet license.  

County licenses are valid only in unincorporated areas of Bothell.  Take a look at this map of Bothell -- to see if you live within Bothell city limits. 

All dogs and cats over 8 weeks old must have a City of Bothell pet license.

A Car's Interior Gets Hot - FAST

On an 85 degree day – even with the windows cracked, the inside of a car can reach 109 degrees in just 10 minutes.  After 30 minutes, the interior temp can reach 119 degrees! Running into the store “for just a minute” can be fatal for dogs (and for anyone) left in a hot car. 

Animals in distress in a parked car.  Is it okay to call 911?

Yes.  If you see an animal in a parked car - that you believe is in distress,  it is okay to call 911 to have an officer and/or animal control respond.  

Washington State Law:

 Drivers can be fined anytime pets are left in a vehicle when there is potential for harm due to:

• lack of ventilaqtion
• no access to water
• exposure to hot or cold temperatures

When in doubt - leave pets home

If you can’t take pets out of the car with you, just leave them at home… with lots of fresh water. 

Additional resources: 

• Pet safety Tips:  King County
• Cold Weather Safety & Pets:  Snohomish County

When you license your pet in Bothell,  the collected fees help support and enhance several services, including: 

• Fast field response
• Resources for nuisance animals
• Sheltering services
• Education
• Customer service
• Licensed animals are held for 10 days at Everett Animal Shelter (versus 72 hours for unlicensed pets).

The City of Bothell encourages spaying and neutering.  Each year 6-12 million animals die in shelters simply for lack of a home. 

For more information about spaying/neutering, including the benefits, myths, and where to find low-cost services in Washington,  please visit the PAWS website.  

A single-lane roundabout has only one lane of traffic navigating around the traffic circle. Learn how to navigate a single-lane roundabout. 

A roundabout was selected to help improve safety, reduce congestion, and improve traffic flow. The project was designed by a team of engineers to City and national standards for roundabouts with a virtual community meeting and an open house held to share project details with and hear feedback from the community. 

The roundabout is designed to accommodate larger vehicles, including buses and emergency vehicles. A truck apron is a raised section of the roundabout that is designed to allow large vehicles to ride up on the center island to easily complete the turn.  The truck apron is raised and a different color and material than the roadway to discourage use by smaller vehicles and emphasize that it is not a normal travel lane.

A City Inspector is on site all day during construction to make sure the project is going to plan. Daily inspector reports, material testing, material certifications, site testing, and more are required. The City Project Engineer is also on site each week. 

The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for Bothell’s future.

The update is a process required by the State and completed by all cities in our area every 10 years. The Comprehensive Plan provides the framework for how Bothell can adapt to and plan for projected growth.

The Comprehensive Plan examines all aspects of the City—from land use to transportation, housing to parks, climate change to the natural environment—to form a complete picture of our City and region’s future.

Adopt-a-Drain is a volunteer program focused on preventing flooding and keeping our waterways clean. Residents “adopt” a storm drain and commit to checking and clearing it of leaves, trash, and debris once or twice a month. You also have the option to name your drain for fun! Volunteers track their impact using a simple online tool.

As of August 2025, these 30 jurisdictions participate in Washington's Adopt-a-Drain program:

If your city or county isn’t listed, reach out to your local government to suggest they join the program!

Visit wa.adopt-a-drain.org and enter your address. If you’re in a participating city, you’ll see a map with available drains. Choose one to adopt, and after signing up, you'll receive a welcome packet with safety tips and an optional yard sign to show your support.

Anyone! Individuals, families, businesses, schools, churches, clubs, scout troops, and sports teams are all welcome to participate. Choose a drain that’s easy for you to check regularly.

There’s no strict schedule, but we recommend checking your drain every two weeks, especially before heavy rain or after windy weather.

No, please never lift the grate! The goal is to keep debris from getting inside the drain while keeping you safe.

No need for a scale! When you log a cleaning, just estimate the amount in pounds or gallons. Using a 5-gallon bucket can help with this. If tracking becomes too much, don’t worry—cleaning is the priority! Try to report at least once every three months so we know you’re still involved.

Some storm drains are unavailable because they’re on private property or busy streets that might be unsafe to clean. If so, they won’t show up on the map. If you have an unlisted private drain you’d like to adopt, you can do so by putting a “pin” in its location in the online map.

Follow and share Adopt-a-Drain WA’s social media pages (@AdoptaDrainWA on Facebook and Instagram). You can also share the program’s website, wa.adopt-a-drain.org, to encourage more people to sign up.

Yes! Bothell’s Storm Operations Division maintains over 8,200 public storm drains and runs its street sweepers year-round on 300+ miles of streets, but city crews can’t be everywhere at once. Volunteers like you help keep neighborhoods cleaner and safer, especially during fall storms and spring cleanup when there’s a lot more debris than usual.

Meet Sweeping Beauty and The Grim Sweeper

Thanks to a community vote in fall 2024, our two street sweepers have names! If you see Sweeping Beauty or The Grim Sweeper in your neighborhood, give ‘em a wave and a little extra room so our Storm Operations crew can help keep your streets safe and clean.

Only rainwater should go down storm drains! If you see anything suspicious near a storm drain in Bothell’s city limits, call our 24/7 Spill Hotline at 425-806-6750 so our team can investigate right away.

See examples of what spills we want to know about.

Stay safe and don’t touch it! Contact the city for guidance on proper disposal.

If your drain is inside Bothell’s city limits, call 425-488-0118 during business hours or submit a Customer Action Request at www.bothellwa.gov/car. If it’s causing dangerous flooding after hours, call 911.

Yes! Log into your account on the Adopt-a-Drain website, find your drain, and choose the option to un-adopt it.

Yes! Email info@adopt-a-drain.org with your name and address, and they’ll send you a replacement.

For general questions, email info@adopt-a-drain.org.