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Council adopts code changes to ease permitting for daycare centers and family daycares
Summary
Ordinance 25-015 passed 5-0 to allow daycare centers and family daycare homes in more unincorporated locations and to permit administrative approvals for centers up to 8,000 square feet in specified zones; conditional use permits remain required for larger centers.
Snohomish County Council on March 19 approved ordinance 25-015, which revises development regulations for daycare facilities to expand where they can locate and to simplify some permitting processes. The council vote was 5-0.
Ryan Countryman, council staff, summarized that the ordinance would allow daycare centers and family daycare homes in more unincorporated locations and permit administrative approvals by Planning and Development Services for centers up to 8,000 square feet in certain urban zones and the rural 5-acre (R5) zone. "Daycare centers over 8,000 square feet would still require a conditional use permit and the hearing before the hearing examiner," Countryman said.
The ordinance was described as allowing daycare centers (facilities with 13 or more children) in more urban zones, including urban residential zones when the site fronts on an arterial road. Family daycare homes and centers would be permitted in more commercial zones where single-family residences exist.
Public commenters offered both support and concern. Debbie Wetzel of ClearView said the change would allow up to 8,000 square feet to be administratively approved and expressed concern that administrative review could miss site-specific impacts, citing septic systems and traffic in R5 zones. "Day care centers in the R5 zone must be required to go through the conditional use permit process and not be administratively approved," she said. Jason Turner, who operates a family home childcare, testified in support and said the ordinance helps small providers transition out of temporary waivers and avoid lengthy, costly permitting.
Council members discussed follow-up and monitoring. One member asked about traffic review; Countryman said traffic would be evaluated under existing permit review standards and that septic/sewer qualifications would still be required and reviewed by public health for R5 sites. The ordinance includes planning commission recommendations and additions suggested by Council Member Dunn. The council adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote with no amendments.
