The County designates and conserves resource lands in compliance with the State Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A.170). Resource lands include agricultural, forest and mineral lands.
Resource lands are mapped in the GMA Comprehensive Plan/Land Use Maps. Map 1 (1.3 MB pdf) shows designated forest resource lands (Local Forest, Commercial Forest, and Commercial Forest-Forest Transition Area) and designated agriculture resource lands (Local Commercial Farmland, Upland Commercial Farmland and Riverway Commercial Farmland). Map 2 shows a mineral resource overlay for bedrock deposits and sand and gravel deposits. Policies and regulations for the use and development of these lands are located in the General Policy Plan and Snohomish County Code.
Resource Lands Notification - Real Estate Transfer Forms Required In/Near Designated Agriculture and Forest Resource Lands
In 2006 and 2007, the county mailed a special notice to
property owners who own land within or near designated resource lands. The purpose of the notice is two-fold:
• To increase public awareness of the location of designated resource areas and type of resource activities that may take place; and,
• To inform landowners and purchasers of designated agriculture or forest resource areas that they are required to complete a Real Estate Transfer document in addition to other documents associated with the sale and purchase of land.
The notification took place in phases, beginning with property owners of land that is in or near designated agriculture resource land. The resource land notification areas vary, from 2000 feet to 500 feet from the specific type of resource land, based on the county’s adopted codes.
The notices state that:
• A variety of activities may occur on designated resource lands that may not be compatible with residential development; and,
• Residents of or near designated resource lands may experience potential impacts from the normal resource management related activities allowed on the designated resource lands.
Real estate transfer documents are required when buying or selling property in or near designated agriculture and forest resource lands.