Bothell makes it easy to choose the wrong permit office. County location matters for some services and records. Property inside Bothell uses the City’s process. A Bothell mailing address outside city limits may use another office.
This independent page is not the City, either county or a contractor. Confirm the parcel permit office first.
What does Bothell publish for ADUs?
Bothell’s Housing Choices page covers attached units, garage apartments and detached ADUs. It says ADUs usually share utilities with the main home. The City’s forms page lists the home ADU filing as form 3f.
Bothell also updated housing rules in response to HB 1337. Check the current code and filing rather than relying on an older middle-housing FAQ.
How should city or county be confirmed?
Record the legal site address, parcel number, city status and county. If the site is outside Bothell, find out whether King County, Snohomish County or another city reviews it.
Then collect:
- zoning and current legal units.
- planned attached, detached or conversion path.
- lot dimensions and site plan or survey.
- trees, slope, critical areas and drainage.
- work access and staging.
- water, sewer and power permit offices.
- easements or private restrictions.
Use the King County city or county guide if the southern part of the market creates uncertainty.
What lot conditions should be checked?
Bothell lots can include mature trees, slopes and local drainage systems. Check the buildable area, tree protection and access first. Add retaining walls, rainwater and utility routes before choosing a footprint.
For a garage conversion, inspect slab, moisture, structure, ceiling height, fire separation and service capacity. For a detached unit, check excavation access, foundation assumptions and the distance to services.
The early site-check guide provides one property checklist for each option.
What permit and design work should be assigned?
The team should list the City ADU form, building plans, site plan, structure and energy work. Add mechanical, plumbing, tree and critical-area records. Ask who files, answers City comments and updates the issued plans.
A pre-drawn or prefab design may reduce some design work. But Bothell must still review the site and current code. Confirm which documents are reusable and which are site-specific.
Use the design and permits guide to turn “permit handling” into named tasks.
How should shared utilities be evaluated?
Bothell says ADUs usually share utilities with the main home. Sharing does not mean no design or cost. Check power demand, water capacity, sewer, heat, shutoffs, meters and repair access.
Map trenching and repairs after the work. If the project crosses a driveway, tree-root zone or public right of way, record the extra planning. The utilities and site-work guide lists the items to include in a comparable quote.
How much does a Bothell ADU cost?
Online prices do not confirm the cost of a Bothell ADU. Use the Seattle-area cost guide to create a full budget based on the property and plans.
Separate site checks, survey, design, engineering and permits. Add access, foundation, structure, shell, utilities, finishes and repairs. Keep money for surprises. Ask whether each price covers a shell, standard finishes or a move-in-ready unit.
How should Bothell companies be compared?
Check the legal builder in Washington L&I and confirm it serves the address. Ask for recent Bothell or nearby ADUs and the permit office for each.
Give companies the same property file, plans and finish list. Use the builder comparison to review project proof, plan duties, utilities, exclusions, timing, payment and warranties.
Build a Bothell city or county and utility record
Save proof that the parcel is inside Bothell and list the water, sewer, power and fire offices. County location alone does not answer those questions. Save the dated City form and code pages used.
If a mailing address sits outside city limits, stop using the Bothell checklist. Find the actual county or city permit path. This keeps the plans and price from using the wrong forms or utility facts.
What should a Bothell site plan show before bids?
Show current and planned buildings, setbacks, access, trees, slopes, drainage and utilities. Mark where machines, concrete work, storage and waste removal can occur. For shared services, show the connection and shutoffs instead of writing only “tie into current.”
Give this plan and the same finish list to each bidder. Require separate lines for design, City comments, permits, foundation, utilities and repairs.
What must be reconciled at permit issuance?
Compare the approved plans and permit terms with the priced set. Record changes to the foundation, energy systems, drainage, trees or utilities. Agree on the cost and timing. Keep approved changes and inspections in the owner’s file.
How should County-line assumptions be communicated?
Put the city-limit answer at the top of the project brief. Repeat the utility offices in the permit and bid package. A King or Snohomish County mailing reference does not replace the Bothell permit choice.
When requesting project examples, ask whether they were inside Bothell and which utilities served them. A nearby project can demonstrate building quality while still following different forms, fees and service rules. Note that distinction in the company comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Does King or Snohomish County issue Bothell city permits?
Property inside Bothell uses the City’s permit path. Property with a Bothell mailing address outside city limits may use a county or different city.
Do shared utilities mean no upgrade is needed?
No. Capacity, routing, controls and access still require review.
Is Bothell's ADU filing the only document needed?
No. Building, site, structural, energy and trade documents may also apply.
Does this site guarantee a Bothell company?
No. Territory, capacity and project fit are checked separately.