Boundary Line Adjustments
A Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) allows for adjustment to boundary lines between legally created lots. This process cannot create an additional lot or reduce an existing lot so that it contains insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning and Snohomish Health District requirements. If you wish to propose a Boundary Line Adjustment, you are encouraged to check with the Customer Support Center Front Counter about lot status and other BLA requirements. Provide the tax account numbers of the applicable lots to assure that your proposal will meet code requirements.
The BLA application must be submitted by using the Affidavit of Boundary Line Adjustment form provided by PDS. It is permissible to attach the legal descriptions on separate sheets and note "see attached" in sections 1, 2 & 3 of the application. Depending on the ownership of the different parcels involved, multiple signature pages may be required for section 4. If there is more than one owner of a lot or lots (including spouses, if married), all owners must have original, notarized signatures within the application package. You may attach additional sheets of individual acknowledgments as necessary. If someone is signing the application on behalf of a company or corporation, you must include the notary certification for representative acknowledgement (otherwise this sheet may be eliminated from your submittal package).
Only attach to the original and copies of the application what you intend to record. One copy of lot status documentation, ownership data, lot closures, etc. should only be provided as a supplement to the original submittal package.
When a BLA is processed as a Type 2 application, the applicant is responsible for posting the property in a conspicuous location on the subject properties' frontage within five (5) days of submittal and providing verification of posting back to PDS. The posting signs are provided by PDS. The property shall remain posted until all appeal periods have expired. In cases where access is affected, the applicant shall stake approximate proposed access points and property lines along the road frontage within 5 days of the BLA application.
Upon submittal, your BLA application will automatically be routed to PDS Traffic Review, the Snohomish Health District, as well as other agencies, if applicable. PDS reviews the BLA based upon the BLA review criteria established in Chapter 30.41E SCC. If the application is determined to be incomplete, PDS shall notify the applicant in writing within 30 days of submittal.
A decision will be made to approve, approve with conditions or deny the application within 45 days following submittal of a complete application or revision. When review is complete, a written decision will be issued. This decision may be appealed by the Administrative Appeal process established by Chapter 30.70 SCC. The appeal period is fourteen (14) days from date of the decision, and you may wish to delay recording of your Boundary Line Adjustment until this appeal period has expired.
If your Boundary Line Adjustment is approved, the appropriate documents must be recorded within one year of approval in order for the Boundary Line Adjustment to be finalized and take effect. You will be instructed to pick up the original and three copies of the Boundary Line Adjustment package approved by the department and take these to the Snohomish County Auditor's Office for recording. After recording the documents in the Auditor's Office, the Auditor will keep the original document(s) recorded. One copy is for your records, and the other two copies of the Boundary Line Adjustment package and the conveyance documents, if applicable, must be returned to PDS in order to finalize the procedure.
If the Boundary Line Adjustment involves more than one property owner (if you do not own all lots involved in the adjustment) you are also required to bring the conveyance document(s) (original and three copies) with you for recording at the same time if they have not been previously recorded. For preparation of the conveyance document(s), you may wish to consult with a title company or attorney. Snohomish County cannot assist you with the preparation of the deeds or documents which legally convey property from one party to another.
If property is being conveyed from one owner to another, State law requires that a "Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit" be completed and processed by the Snohomish County Treasurer's Office prior to recording of the conveyance documents and Boundary Line Adjustment. This form will be enclosed in your letter of approval for your convenience so that notarized signatures may be obtained on the Affidavit prior to picking up the Boundary Line Adjustment packages for recording. If you have questions about this form, please address them to the Treasurer's Office (425.388.3366). This form will not be applicable if you own both lots involved in the Boundary Line Adjustment. You must check with the Treasurer's Office regarding property tax payments that may be due prior to recording a Boundary Line Adjustment.