The Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption is the Snohomish County form on which a landowner and the party receiving part of the land by transfer or lease declare that the division is exempt from the Short Subdivision Code under SCC 30.41B.020(10). It is returned to Planning & Development Services (PDS), and although it asks for each party's property tax account number, it concerns land division rather than Snohomish County property tax. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the county.
Last updated
What is Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA?
The Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption is the Snohomish County form on which an owner and a receiving party swear that a division of land is exempt from the Snohomish County Short Subdivision Code, Chapter 30.41B SCC, under SCC 30.41B.020(10).
The form involves two parties. The Party of the First Part is the conveyor or lessor who owns the parcel. The Party of the Second Part is the receiver or lessee of a portion of it. Parcel No. 1 is the entire property and Parcel No. 2 is the portion being transferred or leased; each gets a complete legal description and an approximate size in acres or square feet.
The exemption, quoted on the form, covers any division where no permanent road may be constructed and where restrictive covenants or lease provisions prohibit construction of buildings of a type that permits human occupancy, overnight camping or human habitation. In the affidavit both parties declare that Parcel No. 2 will be used only as that provision allows and will not qualify as a lot under the Snohomish County Zoning Ordinance, Subtitle 30.2 SCC, and Section 30.91L.120-Lot of Chapter 30.91L.
Each party signs before a notary public. A Determination and Approval block at the end records a conclusion that the proposed exemption is approved pursuant to SCC 30.41B.020(10), with a signature, date, printed name and title. The form has two pages and is marked REV October 2007.
Who needs to file Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA?
The main group is an owner of a parcel in Snohomish County (the Party of the First Part) who is considering a transfer of ownership or a lease of a portion of that parcel and wants the division treated as exempt under SCC 30.41B.020(10). The person or entity receiving the portion (the Party of the Second Part, the grantee or lessee) also completes and signs the form.
The exemption is narrow. It applies only to a division where no permanent road may be constructed and where restrictive covenants or lease provisions prohibit construction of buildings that permit human occupancy, overnight camping or human habitation. Both parties declare that the new parcel will be used only that way and will not qualify as a lot under the county's zoning ordinance.
If someone other than the owners handles the paperwork, the form has a Contact Person (if different than owners) section with name, address, telephone and e-mail. The form does not say that this person may sign for the owners: the owners sign and swear before a notary.
The form does not describe other situations in which it may be used, so contact PDS at 425-388-3311 if your division does not match the conditions above.
When to file Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA
Complete the affidavit when the owner is considering a transfer of ownership or a lease of a portion of the property and the parties want that transfer or lease to be exempt from the Snohomish County Short Subdivision Code, Chapter 30.41B SCC. The form states that the Party of the First Part is "considering" the transfer or lease, so it is prepared before the division takes effect.
No due date, expiration or renewal period is printed on the form. Both parties must sign in front of a notary public, so plan for both signatures and both notarizations before you return it. Ask Planning & Development Services at 425-388-3311 about timing or review questions.
Documents you need
- Complete legal description of the entire property (Parcel No. 1, Lessor), attached to the affidavit as the form directs.
- Complete legal description of the new parcel (Parcel No. 2, Lessee), attached to the affidavit as the form directs.
How to fill out Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA
Confirm the exemption applies
Read the SCC 30.41B.020(10) text printed on the form. It covers a division where no permanent road may be constructed and restrictive covenants or lease provisions prohibit buildings permitting human occupancy, overnight camping or human habitation.
Enter the Party of the First Part
Under PARTY OF THE FIRST PART, enter the name of the conveyor(s)/lessor(s), address, city, state, ZIP, contact telephone, e-mail and Property Tax Account Number.
Enter the Party of the Second Part
Enter the name of the receiver(s)/lessee(s), address, city, state, ZIP, telephone and e-mail. The Property Tax Account Number is not required for a lease or if no number is assigned.
Add a contact person if needed
If someone other than the owners will handle the application, complete Contact Person (if different than owners) with address, telephone and e-mail. Leave it blank if not applicable.
Identify the owner and Parcel No. 1
In the statement beginning "I," enter the name of the undersigned Party of the First Part. For (a) Parcel No. 1 (Lessor), attach the complete legal description of the entire property and enter its approximate acres or square feet.
Describe the portion and Parcel No. 2
Enter the name of the Party of the Second Part in the transfer or lease paragraph. For (b) Parcel No. 2 (Lessee), attach the complete legal description of the new parcel and enter its approximate acres or square feet.
Review the exemption and declaration
Read the exemption provision under SCC 30.41B.020(10) and the HEREBY MAKE IT BE KNOWN declaration. By signing, both parties state that property (b) will be used only as the exemption provides and will not qualify as a lot.
Have the Party of the First Part sign
The Party of the First Part signs and dates, then swears before a notary public. The notary completes the day, month, year and place of residence.
Have the Party of the Second Part sign
The Party of the Second Part signs and dates in the second signature block, followed by the notary's SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN line.
Check the Determination and Approval block
This block, with signature, date, printed name and title, states a conclusion that the exemption is approved. The form does not say who completes it, so confirm with PDS before filling it in.
Review, download and print
Check names, parcel descriptions and acreage, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Take it to a notary for signing and assemble it with the legal descriptions as described under How to submit.
How to submit Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA
The form prints a return address, and it names no other channel.
- By mail or delivery to the return address: Snohomish County, Planning & Development Services, Customer Support Center, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S #604, Everett, WA 98201.
Send the signed and notarized affidavit with the complete legal description of the entire property (Parcel No. 1) and of the new parcel (Parcel No. 2) attached, as the form directs. Both the Party of the First Part and the Party of the Second Part must have signed before a notary public.
The county's Planning & Development Services forms page gives 425-388-3311 for questions, including whether a different delivery method such as the PDS online Permit Portal applies to your case; that page does not tie the portal to this affidavit. The form shows no fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving off the complete legal description of the entire property (Parcel No. 1) or of the new parcel (Parcel No. 2); the form says to attach both.
- Using the affidavit for a division where a permanent road may be constructed; the exemption covers only divisions where none may be.
- Relying on the exemption without covenants or lease provisions that prohibit buildings permitting human occupancy, overnight camping or human habitation.
- Signing without a notary present; each party's signature block is followed by a SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN notary line.
- Having only one party sign and notarize; both the Party of the First Part and the Party of the Second Part have a signature block.
- Omitting the property tax account number of the Party of the First Part, or of the Party of the Second Part when the transaction is a sale and a number has been assigned.
- Treating the new parcel as a building lot; the declaration says it will not qualify as a lot under the county zoning ordinance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption?
It is a Snohomish County form in which an owner and a receiving party declare that a transfer or lease of part of a parcel is exempt from the Short Subdivision Code, Chapter 30.41B SCC, under SCC 30.41B.020(10). Both parties sign before a notary.
Is the Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption a property tax form?
No. It concerns a land division exemption under the Short Subdivision Code. It asks for each party's property tax account number, which is not required for the Party of the Second Part on a lease or if no number has been assigned.
What kind of division qualifies for this exemption?
The form quotes SCC 30.41B.020(10): any division where no permanent road may be constructed and where restrictive covenants or lease provisions prohibit construction of buildings that permit human occupancy, overnight camping or human habitation.
Does the affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes, the form is built for it. Both the Party of the First Part and the Party of the Second Part have a signature block followed by a SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN notary line for a notary public in and for the State of Washington.
What do I attach to the Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption?
Attach the complete legal description of the entire property (Parcel No. 1, Lessor) and the complete legal description of the new parcel (Parcel No. 2, Lessee). The form asks for an approximate size in acres or square feet for each.
Where do I return the Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption?
The form prints this return address: Snohomish County, Planning & Development Services, Customer Support Center, 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S #604, Everett, WA 98201. For questions, the county lists 425-388-3311.
Can I fill out the Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Snohomish County and does not file the affidavit; you still sign before a notary and return it through the county's channels.
Does the new parcel become a buildable lot?
No. In the declaration both parties state that the new parcel will be used only as SCC 30.41B.020(10) provides and will not qualify as a lot under the Snohomish County Zoning Ordinance, Subtitle 30.2 SCC, and Section 30.91L.120-Lot.
Ready to fill out Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA?
Fill out Affidavit of Short Subdivision Exemption – Snohomish County, WA now