INV20190014.pdfCITY OF EDMONDS
121 51h Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
'11c. 1 s9v,
August 21, 2019
Daniel & Kristin Sonon
927— 9th Ave N
Edmonds, WA 98020
Case: INV20190014
Subject Property: 927-9th Ave N, Edmonds, WA 98020
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sonon,
The City received a complaint regarding a new retaining wall and fence that was constructed without
a permit at the subject residential property. It appears that the retaining wall was constructed within
the street setback and is over 3 feet in height in some sections. The fence is approximately 6 feet in
height.
Pertinent codes that relate to the violations are noted below:
21.90.150 Structure. Structure means a combination of materials constructed and erected permanently on the ground
or attached to something having a permanent location on the ground. Not included are residential fences less than six
feet in height, retaining walls, rockeries, and similar improvements of a minor character less than three feet in height.
Retaining wall is over three feet in height in some sections and considered a structure.
21.90.020 Setback. Setback means the minimum distance that buildings/structures or uses must be set back from a
lot line, excluding up to 30 inches of eaves.
21.90.140 Street setback. Street setback means the minimum distance required by this code for a building or structure
to be set back from the street lot line.
Retaining walls three feet in height must meet setbacks. The subject property is zoned RS-12 and has
a 25 foot street setback. The retaining wall is approximately 10 feet from the property line and
within the street setback
19.00.025 International Building Code section amendments.
The following sections of the IBC are hereby amended as follows:
E. Section 105.2, Wlork exempt from permit, is replaced as follows:
(d) Retaining walls 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height or less measured vertically from the finished grade at the exposed toe
of the retaining wall to the highestpoint in the wall.. .
Retaining walls over 4 feet in height require a permit. See the Retaining Wall handout attached for
submittal requirements.
17.30.000 General.
A. A fence permit shall be required for any fence over three feet in height which is also within 10 feet of any street
right-of-way or access easement or within 30 feet of any corner. Height shall be measured from the top of the fence to
the lowest originalgrade.
Fence appears to be 10 feet away from right-of-way. If this is the case, a fence permit will not be
required.
D. When a retaining wall three feet in height orgreater is contiguous to and below a proposed fence, the proposed fence
may be constructed for the purposes of safety notgreater than four feet above the top of the retaining wall or the finished
grade, whichever is less, without the necessity for a variance.
Fence may not exceed four feet above the top of the retaining wall or the finished grade, whichever
is less.
The conditions of the Seabrook Plat required a native vegetation area per ECDC 23.90.040(C). A portion of the
required native vegetation area extends across the rearportion of the subject site.
It is likely work recently completed removed the required native vegetation and replaced it with fill.
If so, the native vegetation area must be restored through replanting of landscaping comprised of
native plants, shrubs, and/or trees.
Please make contact with our office no later than (14 days from today) to either make
application for the needed permit or to apprise of your intent and timeline to do so.
If you have questions, feel free to contact me at (425) 771-0220 ext. 1367.
Sincerely,
Brad Shipley I Associate Planner
brad. shipley@edmondswa.gov
CC. Building Division
Planning Division
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