Community Development
Mission
The Bothell Community Development Department's mission is to collaborate with residents, businesses, and colleagues to promote a community that celebrates its history, embraces its present, and envisions its future. We carry out our mission by:
- Acting with integrity and honesty
- Treating people with respect, care, patience and empathy
- Creating a safe, sustainable, and healthy environment
We Want to Hear From You!
Your input is important to the City of Bothell. Please share your thoughts on our plans and projects in the Community Development Department by visiting www.EngageBothell.com.
Permit Center and Development Services
The Development Services team, including the Permit Center, coordinates between multiple City departments to provide permits for all types of projects - from residential repairs and remodels, to new commercial buildouts and subdivisions.
Building Department:
Dedicated to upholding the State and Local building codes, the building department handles reviews of permits for built structures - ADU's, remodels, new buildings, decks, roofs, commercial buildings, etc.
Planning and Land Use:
Our Planning Department oversees the land use and zoning aspects of projects and applications. From new subdivisions and developments to residential buildings - they look at how the land is used, how trees and open spaces are preserved, and more!
Fire Prevention / CRR:
Permitting works together with our Community Risk Reduction department (CRR) to permit and inspect your fire permitting needs. Whether you are hosting a tented event, putting in a new fire alarm or sprinkler system, or are doing new construction, Fire and Permitting work hand in hand.
Public Works:
Responsible for streets, utilities, and other fundamental infrastructure, the Public Works department works closely with the Permit Center to make sure all your foundational permits are obtained and inspected.
Long-Range Planning Team
The Long-Range Planning team is working on the future of Bothell, including land use, code amendments, development, and more.
The Comprehensive Plan
The Comprehensive Plan is one of the most significant tasks the Strategic Planning team takes on every 8-10 years or so. This plan incorporates requirements from the state and counties and touches all aspects of the city. The Comprehensive Plan examines how the city can prepare for projected regional growth from transportation to climate change, housing to shoreline management.
Housing Action Plan
The City of Bothell’s Housing Action Plan aims to ensure that our community offers a variety of affordable and diverse housing options to meet the needs of all residents through thoughtful policies, partnerships, and innovative strategies. Our plan prioritizes equitable access, housing choice, and long-term solutions to foster a vibrant, inclusive, thriving community for current and future generations.
Downtown Subarea Plan Update
Bothell’s downtown has experienced huge change over the last 15 years, with new residents arriving, revitalized businesses opening, and the area becoming a safe and welcoming place to live, work, play, learn, and gather. The Downtown Subarea Plan will engage the community to create a new and inclusive future vision for downtown, including its buildings, transportation system, public spaces, and economy. It will build on downtown’s assets and continued momentum while ensuring it reflects Bothell’s unique character.
Climate Action Plan
Addressing climate change is essential for Bothell’s future. The Climate Action Plan (CAP) will provide a strategic framework to tackle this global challenge with local solutions. The CAP will guide our efforts toward a more sustainable future by setting specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in key areas such as buildings, energy, transportation, and development.
Urban Forest Management Plan
Trees are vital to Bothell’s well-being. They clean the air, cool our streets, filter stormwater, and provide a habitat for wildlife. Trees also reduce energy costs and help combat climate change, making our city a more resilient and healthier place to live. The Urban Forest Management Plan will guide Bothell’s efforts to protect and expand tree cover throughout the city. By planting, preserving, and caring for trees - especially in underserved areas - we can ensure that everyone enjoys the benefits of a greener community.
The Code Compliance Division of the City of Bothell's Community Development enforces several chapters of the Bothell Municipal Code (BMC) relating to unsafe structures or conditions, land use, garbage, junk or hulk vehicles, nuisance vegetation and public nuisances.
Please note: The City does not enforce property line disputes, hazardous trees on adjacent properties, or tenant / landlord disputes.
How to Report:
Please use our Customer Action Request Form and provide the following information:
What is the issue:
- Nuisance property or vehicles
- Overgrown private property
- Building or other code violations
- Street sign down
- Plugged storm drain
- etc
Where is it:
- Street address, if available
- Street and / or nearest cross street
- Trail or park name (location near entrances or how far north, east, south, or west of the entrance)
Your contact information so we can follow up:
- Email address
- Phone number
Snohomish County Residents
Snohomish County Junk Vehicle and Boat/RV Disposal Program
