2019-1151 20114 83rd ave W Ryker Young LB (003).pdfDATE: October 29, 2019
TO: Ryker Young
FROM: Kevin Bloomfield, Plans Examiner
RE: Plan Check: BLD 2019-1151
Project Address: 20114 83rd Ave W Lot #1
Scope: New SFR
Thank you for submitting your plans to the City of Edmonds for review. We have completed an
initial review of the project mentioned above. For this project to move forward a few items will
need to be addressed.
Once a revised set of plans, including a written response to the list of the items contained in this
letter are resubmitted, we can complete the review. Some items may require a review by other
divisions, such as Planning, Engineering, or Fire and will be noted as such.
Resubmittals can be made at the Development Services Department on the 2nd Floor of City
Hall. Permit Center hours are M, T, Th, & F from 8am-4:30pm and from 8:30am-12pm on
Wednesdays.
To complete the review the following items will need to be addressed:
General:
The city of Edmonds does not allow rockeries in certain applications. The city of Edmonds has a
section in the Edmonds Community Development Code to address the prohibited rockeries, I have
added that below. Good open communication is the key to a successful project and avoids delays as
well as possible code violations.
The places of concern are the rockery on the SE corner of the property. The plans state this wall has
a top of wall at 7’ and it appears it will need to be backfilled. However, Item #7 states this is
prohibited (refer to item 7 below). Please revise the plans to reflect that no rockery is placed against
fill greater than 3 feet in height.
Also, concerning that same rockery, where it approaches the foundation on the SE corner of the
home. The concern is the close proximity of both the rockery wall and foundation in relation to each
other. To avoid the rockery supporting a surcharge in that area, which is prohibited under item #4
(refer to item 4 below), please keep the house footing below the bottom of the rockery wall.
In addition, even though the home on Lot #2 is not part of the scope of this review, it appears the
home comes close to the proposed rockery that separates lots 1 and 2. Please be aware of the
City of Edmonds
PLAN REVIEW COMMENTS
BUILDING DIVISION
(425) 771-0220
Page 2 of 2
setback of the home in that area. Maintain the set back of the home to avoid the rockery supporting
a surcharge, which is prohibited under item #4 (refer to item 4 below)
ECDC 18.40.020 Prohibited Rockeries.
A. The following types of rockeries are prohibited. No person shall construct a rockery within the
city of Edmonds under the following circumstances or in the following situations:
4. No rockery shall support a surcharge. The term “surcharge” shall have that meaning
assigned in the state-adopted building code.
6. No rockery may exceed three feet in setback area height within a setback. The term
“setback area height” is defined as the height measured vertically from the original grade of
the soil to the highest point of the uppermost rock. It is the property owner’s responsibility to
verify original grade and compliance with setback area height by submitting a professional
land surveyor letter and section view when an enforcement action is initiated due to a
violation of this section.
7. No rockery shall be placed against fill where the rockery exceeds three feet in height. The
height of a rockery shall be determined as the height measured vertically from the finished
grade of the soil at the exposed toe of the rockery to the highest point of the uppermost rock.
If you need any clarification or have any questions at all, please feel free to call anytime.
Kevin Bloomfield
Plans Examiner
kevin.bloomfield@edmondswa.gov
425-771-0220 x1314
Development Services Department
Building Division
121 5th Avenue N
Edmonds, WA 98020
www.edmondswa.gov