Bolthole Index

Skagit County, Washington

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Anacortes, Washington

Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington. Anacortes adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Anacortes’s rules apply, not the county’s. 4 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 24, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Skagit County page.

Answers from the rulebook for Anacortes

Anacortes’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Anacortes city limits.

    • Development is subject to the Anacortes Unified Development Code and applicable zone standards.
    “As a city planning under the state Growth Management Act, Anacortes has adopted a Comprehensive Plan, zoning, shoreline, environmental, and critical area codes, and related documents to plan for future development of our city.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes on lots where new single-family residences are allowed inside Anacortes city limits.

    • The manufactured home must be new.
    • It must be attached to a manufacturer-specified permanent foundation and the space below enclosed as specified by AMC 19.43.110(B)(2).
    • It must comply with applicable single-family design standards, the state energy code, and other statutory designated-manufactured-home requirements.
    • Legally recorded covenants or deed restrictions are not overridden.
    “A manufactured home may be placed on any lot where new single-family residences are allowed and must meet the following requirements:”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divisions inside Anacortes city limits.

    • Land divisions are addressed under the city Unified Development Code permit division.
    “LONG SUBDIVISIONS, SHORT PLATS, BINDING SITE PLANS, OR UNIT LOT SUBDIVISIONS Applicant Checklist”
  • Permit processPartial

    Land-use permits inside Anacortes city limits.

    • The city code identifies a permit division containing site plan review, land divisions, boundary line adjustments, conditional uses, and variances; detailed application procedure was not opened.
    “The City's Unified Development Code (AMC Title 19) governs land use, construction, building, and permitting.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Anacortes or Skagit County directly.

  • Building permit — Residential construction inside Anacortes city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside Anacortes city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Anacortes city limits.
  • Inspections — Residential construction inside Anacortes city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — New or altered dwellings inside Anacortes city limits.
14 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Anacortes publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Skagit County’s page lists the county offices to call.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Anacortes means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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