If you've ever looked out at your big backyard and thought "there's room for another house out there," you're not alone! We hear this question all the time, and the good news is that Washington has been making it easier to turn one lot into two. Here's a friendly rundown of how lot splitting works around here, what's changing, and what to think about before you get started.
What is a lot split?
A lot split is exactly what it sounds like: dividing one legal parcel into two (or more) separate legal lots. Each new lot gets its own legal description and can be built on, sold, or financed on its own.
That's different from adding an ADU. With an ADU, the second home stays on the same lot as your main house. With a lot split, you end up with two separate properties.
People split lots for all kinds of reasons:
Building a new home for yourself and selling or keeping the original
Creating a lot for a family member to build on nearby
Selling the new lot to free up some equity
Building a second home to rent or sell
How it works in unincorporated Snohomish County
In unincorporated Snohomish County, dividing land into a small number of lots is called a short plat. A short plat can create up to 9 lots in urban areas or up to 4 lots in rural areas. Anything bigger becomes a full subdivision, which comes with a public hearing and more review.
The county's general path looks like this:
Check feasibility with a land use consultant or surveyor
Prepare and submit your application materials
County review for zoning, critical areas, drainage, and traffic
Preliminary approval
Construction plans reviewed and approved
Roads, drainage, and utilities get built
As-built drawings approved
Final plat recorded, and your new lots are official!
Snohomish County says a typical short plat takes about 12 to 18 months from start to final recording. If everything is complete and meets the requirements, it can be closer to 6 to 9 months. A little patience goes a long way here!
What's new in Washington
In 2025, the state passed two laws to make dividing residential lots a lot simpler inside city limits.
HB 1096 (administrative lot splits): Cities now have to offer a streamlined way to split a residential lot into two. Approvals are handled by staff using clear, objective standards, with no public hearing required. Both lots still need to meet the city's minimum lot size and density rules, and a lot that was already created by a split can't be split again. Cities have until about mid 2027 to put this in place, so the timing depends on where you live.
SB 5559 (unit lot subdivisions): This one helps with middle housing like townhomes and cottage homes. It lets each home sit on its own lot with an administrative review instead of a public hearing.
The big takeaway? It's getting easier to split a lot on paper. Your city's planning department can tell you where things stand for your address.
Where the real work happens
Here's the part people don't always see coming. Getting approval is only half of it! Before a new lot is ready for a home, it usually needs:
Access: A driveway or shared access easement to reach the new lot
Utilities: Water, side sewer or septic, storm drainage, power, and sometimes gas
Grading and site prep: Clearing and leveling the ground for a foundation
Drainage: Managing stormwater so it doesn't end up in your neighbor's yard
Geotech review: Extra care if your property has slopes or tricky soil
This is where we come in. Blade handles excavation, site work, and underground utilities every day, so we can help you understand what your lot actually needs before you commit. Once your lots are recorded, we can build the new home too, from groundwork to the final walkthrough.
A few things to check first
Before you get too far, it helps to know:
Your zoning and the minimum lot size where you live
Whether there are wetlands, streams, or steep slopes on the property
How the new lot will reach water, sewer, and the street
Whether there are any covenants or HOA rules that limit dividing your property
Let's talk about your lot!
Every property is a little different, and we love helping homeowners figure out what's possible. If you're dreaming about splitting your lot in Snohomish, Everett, or anywhere in Snohomish or North King County, reach out to us. We'd love to walk your property with you and talk through your options.
Contact Blade Trucking & Construction
Rules for lot splits vary by city and county and are changing as cities adopt the new state laws. Details are current as of October 2026, so please check with your local planning department about your specific property.
