By Leslie Moriarty
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — Farmers will be able to host weddings without having to get conditional use permits, thanks to the Snohomish County Council.
The county council voted 4-1 this week to allow wedding operations on farms. Councilman Gary Nelson voted against the measure.
Under the new agreement, use of farms as rural wedding locations is now legal as long as the operator gets an occupancy permit, according to county fire marshal Pam Miller.
"Because the original farm buildings were built under the regulations of residential use and are now being used commercially, by the county’s building codes, it is a change of use," she said. "Operators will need to get certificates of occupancy for the buildings by applying to our commercial division."
But the good news is that if they do it before Jan. 1, all fees will be waived. They will not have to go through the public process that is a part of the conditional use permit and includes a public hearing.
Miller said the changes apply to wedding uses only. Farmers who want to host a variety of events will need to obtain a conditional use permit.
In the case of a place that wants to host a one-time event such as a crafts fair, the operator can apply for a special events permit, which is a relatively simple process, she said.
With the change in regulations, farmers who host weddings will no longer face conditional use permit fees, which can range from $2,700 to $3,400. With the occupancy permit fees being waived through Jan. 1, the farmers will save another $200 to $1,600, depending on the size of their operation.
Miller said the county doesn’t know how many of rural wedding facilities operate in Snohomish County, although there could be as many as 40.
"But we’ve only had complaints and been working with five specific ones so far," she said.
Farmers who want to apply for no-cost building and occupancy permits to host weddings by the Jan. 1 deadline may do so at the county’s commercial division at 2731 Wetmore Ave.
You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436
or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.
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