Snohomish County, WA Erosion Control Performance Bond
Overview
Snohomish County required you to post this bond before your grading or land-disturbing permit moves forward. It guarantees that you will complete all erosion control measures — silt fencing, sediment controls, stabilization work — exactly as your approved plan specifies. If you walk away or fail to finish, the County can draw on the bond to fund the cleanup. Getting bonded is the final step between your permit approval and breaking ground.
Who Needs This Bond?
If you are a developer, contractor, or property owner who has received a grading or site development permit from Snohomish County, this bond is your financial commitment to the County that erosion control work will be completed as planned. Builders clearing land, excavating slopes, or disturbing soil in Snohomish County regularly encounter this requirement before site work begins. It applies whether you are building a single-family home on a steep lot or managing a large subdivision grading plan. The County holds the bond to protect adjacent properties and waterways from uncontrolled sediment runoff.
What is this Bond For?
Snohomish County uses this bond to enforce performance on erosion and sediment control measures tied to a specific permitted project. It is not a license bond — it is project-specific, meaning it covers the scope of work outlined in your approved erosion control plan. If sediment escapes the site, damages neighboring land, or enters a drainage system because controls were never installed or maintained, the County has recourse through this bond. Your obligation ends when the County inspects and accepts the completed erosion control work.
When is it Required?
This bond does not renew on a fixed annual schedule — it stays in force until Snohomish County formally releases it after a satisfactory site inspection. If your project extends beyond its original timeline, the bond must remain active throughout the entire construction and stabilization period. County inspectors will verify that all erosion control measures are in place and functioning before the bond obligation is discharged. Plan accordingly: delays in completing site stabilization mean the bond stays open longer.
Where Does it Apply?
This is a Snohomish County requirement, not a Washington State license. It applies specifically to permitted land-disturbing activity within unincorporated Snohomish County or within jurisdictions that have delegated permitting authority to the County. It is not transferable to projects in King County, Whatcom County, or any other jurisdiction.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and you will be taken directly into the secure surety portal in a new tab. Enter your project details, complete the application, and get your bond documentation without waiting on an agent. Once issued, you can submit the bond to Snohomish County as part of your permit package.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, giving you access to a nationwide surety bond catalog with the purchasing speed of a modern online platform. There is no agent callback to wait for and no paperwork to fax — you handle the entire transaction online. We built this system specifically for contractors and developers who need to move fast and get back to work.