Boundary Line Adjustments
A Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) is the process for adjusting property lines between legally created lots. This process cannot create a lot or reduce the size of a lot so that it contains insufficient area and dimension to meet minimum zoning or Snohomish Health District requirements. If you wish to propose a Boundary Line Adjustment, you are encouraged to check with the Customer Permitting Center about legal lot, access and other BLA requirements
The BLA is submitted using a Boundary Line Adjustment Application form. The certified legal descriptions and map may be submitted on separate sheets. If the BLA application involves more than two lots, a record of survey showing the new lot configuration must be submitted. All owners of the lots (including spouses, if married) must have original, notarized signatures on the application form. Additional sheets of individual signatures as necessary may be attached. If someone is signing the application on behalf of a company or corporation, include the notary certification for representative acknowledgement (otherwise this sheet may be eliminated from your submittal package). The documents to be recorded must meet Auditor’s Office recording requirements.
One copy of lot status documentation, ownership data, lot closures, etc. (if applicable) should only be provided as a supplement to the original submittal package.
To submit the complete application, an appointment is required: call 425.388.3311 ext. 2790.
Upon submittal, the application fees are paid and the BLA application may be routed to Traffic Review, the Snohomish Health District, as well as other agencies, if applicable. The BLA is reviewed based upon the criteria established in Chapter 30.41E SCC. In cases where access is affected, staking proposed access points and property lines along the road frontage may be required.
If the application is determined to be incomplete or more information is needed, PDS will 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 the applicant may wish to delay recording of the Boundary Line Adjustment until this appeal period has expired.
Once the Boundary Line Adjustment is approved, it must be recorded within one year of approval to be finalized and take effect. Upon approval, the applicant is instructed to pick up the original and three copies of the approved Boundary Line Adjustment package 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 the applicant’s records, and the other two copies of the Boundary Line Adjustment package must be returned to Planning and Development Services in order to finalize the procedure.
If the Boundary Line Adjustment involves more than one property owner, conveyance document(s) must also be recorded to finalize the BLA. For preparation of the conveyance document(s), consultation with a title company or attorney is advised.
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. Questions about this form should be addressed to the Treasurer's Office (425.388.3366). This form is not used if all lots involved in the Boundary Line Adjustment are owned by the same person or entity. Check with the Treasurer's Office regarding property tax payments that may be due prior to recording a Boundary Line Adjustment.