Frequently Asked Questions

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No. All projects that require public notice are posted , but not all projects require public notice. You can learn about which projects require which types of notice in Chapter 17.13 of the Mukilteo Municipal Code.

Projects remain on this page during the period the public process is active for the project. They are removed from this page when the project is complete or no longer moving forward.

If you want to receive future notices (such as environmental determinations, notice of public hearing, project decision) on one or all of the projects you see on this page, email the Planning Department with specific comments about the project or simply state, “I’d like to be a party of interest” or “I’d like to be a party of interest on all projects.” That will add your email to our distribution list for future notices.

Yes. The public process and feedback from the community are essential parts of land use planning. Some projects have clear rules and regulations and some projects involve more discretion. Regardless, it’s helpful to hear thoughts and opinions from the community. All commenters become parties of interest which keeps them in the loop on future notices and also makes them eligible to appeal the final decision. Note that form letters and petitions are not considered comments for the purposes of land use review.

No. This page includes the most relevant initial submittal items for helping the public understand the details of what is being proposed. It’s typical for application materials to be edited and revised and supplemented throughout the review process as the city sends the applicant corrections or notes where more information may be needed to make an informed decision. If you’re curious about a specific submittal item, you’re always welcome to visit City Hall during business hours or email the Planning Department.

A Long-range Financial Plan (LRFP) provides a "road map" for where the City wants to go financially and its plans to get there by combining financial forecasting with financial strategizing. The underlying goal being that the plan can be used as a tool to identify problems, opportunities, and provide an avenue for Council, citizens and staff to discuss policy.

A Long-range Financial Plan is needed as a communication aide to citizens, staff and rating agencies. When Council and staff receive questions from constituents, the LRFP will:

1. Help provide an answer.
2. Provide documentation to support the answer.
3. Provide consistency.

The LRFP clarifies the City's financial strategic intent and imposes discipline on decision makers by magnifying the cumulative effects of poor decisions.

The elements of a long-range financial plan can be broken down into four major phases:

1. The mobilization phase puts in place the cornerstones for financial planning: resources needed to undertake planning, preliminary financial analysis, definition of the underlying purpose of the planning process, the City's service-level preferences, financial policies, and define the scope for the planning effort.
2. The analysis phase focuses on the City's financial position, making long-term projections, and then analyzing the City's probable future financial position.
3. The decision phase is where strategies, plans, and adjustments are created and agreed upon.
4. The execution phase carries the plan forward into action.

Several groups benefit directly from seeing that the City of Mukilteo has a Long-range Financial Plan:

• Citizens – Effective financial stewardship enhances the quality of life for a community - increasing the desirability of the community as a place to live.
• Council – Long-range financial plans offer guidance to new Council Members with the City's finances. The plan also serves as an ongoing context for Council decisions, thereby providing consistency and quality control.
• Businesses looking to do business in the City – long-range financial plans increase the desirability of the community as a place to locate.
• Department heads and staff benefit knowing the City's financial future is a priority with Council and Mayor.

In 2016, the Long-Range Financial Planning Team will begin work to draft a Long-Range Financial Plan for the City's Capital needs. The City's Long-Range Financial Plan for Capital Projects is a fiscal planning tool designed to assist Mayor, City Council and management with their capital spending decisions and provide discussion points covering capital projects that are outside the scope of the City's current Capital Facilities Plan. The Long-Range Financial Plan provides a summary of capital projects, an analysis of their respective funding sources and existing reserve levels, and connect the timing of the projects identified in the City's Capital Facilities Plan to this funding analysis.

A Trespass Letter of Consent (TLC) is a specifically worded, legal document which allows a police officer to take enforcement action, on your behalf, without contacting you first.

Police officers do not have the authority to go onto private property and remove individuals or request them to leave without the consent of the property owner. If an officer observes someone on private property, when the business is closed, or a problem is called in by someone who does not have the authority to sign a trespass complaint, MPD must then contact the person who is legally responsible for the property. A Trespass Letter of Consent gives Mukilteo Police officers permission to act on the property owner's/manager's behalf, in trespass situations.

Officers who observe trespassers on private property can then immediately address the problem, rather than be delayed in acting or be unable to take action at all.

RCW 9A.52.070 - Criminal Trespass in the first degree - A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the first degree if he or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building.

RCW 9A.52.080 - Criminal Trespass in the second degree - A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the second degree if he or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon the premises of another under circumstances not constituting criminal trespass in the first degree.

RCW 9A.52.010(3) - "Premises" includes any building, dwelling, structure used for commercial aquaculture, or any real property.

RCW 9A.52.105 and 9A.52.115 also provide additional information regarding the removal of unauthorized persons.

In addition to filing the trespass letter, your property must be posted with "No Trespassing" signs for immediate enforcement action. These signs should not include any language directed at loitering as there is no law that can be enforced regarding loitering. If there is not a "No Trespassing" sign present, the Officer will issue a notice of trespass form for future enforcement.

Should an officer respond to your property, he/she will be notified by dispatch if there is a Trespass Letter of Consent filed on the property. Once the letter has been confirmed, the officer will take appropriate action.

You may revoke your Trespass Letter of Consent at any time. Simply notify us of your wishes in writing at PD records by email and your letter will be removed from the records. Although trespass letters have no expiration date, if the status of the property changes in any way, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible and arrange for your trespass letter to be updated.

If you have any additional questions, please contact the Mukilteo Police Department at 425-263-8100 or by emailing PD Records.

Dial 911 if there is an immediate emergency threat to life or property:

• Any urgent/emergency medical or fire situation
• Any crime in progress, suspicious activity, or anytime a person fears for their safety or the safety of others

Dial 425-407-3999 if:

• A crime occurred earlier and there is no suspect information, i.e., a car was burglarized but you don't know when it occurred. In this situation, the Police will arrive after they have responded to an emergency.
• Situations where emergency services personnel are needed but there is no immediate danger to life or property, i.e., car burglary example above, a package stolen from your front porch, a minor fender-bender where there are no injuries or vehicle damage
• A found pet or diamond ring in the park, etc.
• Illegal fireworks, noise complaint, illegal burning

In an effort to better serve our community and align our area emergency dispatch system with the national standard of reserving 911 for emergencies, this number is active and callers are encouraged to start using it to report non-emergencies instead of 911. If callers are unsure if their situation is an emergency, call 911 just in case; the dispatcher will prioritize your call for emergency response. Our county has grown, and those with true emergencies can potentially have their calls delayed because dispatchers answer each call in order to determine if a true emergency exists, delaying police and/or fire responders.

To get a copy of a police report, please complete an online public records request.

Call the Mukilteo Police Department at 425-263-8100 if you want:

• To leave a non-urgent message for an MPD officer
• To ask questions about pet licensing or a parking ticket
• Information about applying for a concealed pistol license application or to be fingerprinted

Please don't call the Police Department directly to report a crime, especially if it's during the event. Dial 911!

Dial 425-263-8150 if you would like information about:

• A smoke alarm issue
• Requesting a visit by the Fire Marshal
• Scheduling a tour of one of the fire stations

Hazard mitigation plans identify actions that can be taken by the City to reduce or eliminate the risk to human life and property from natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods.

Hazard mitigation plans essentially have two parts. The first part assesses the city's vulnerability to damage caused by natural hazards. The second part identifies capital projects and other programs that if implemented could mitigate the damage caused by the natural hazard when it occurs.

Part one, assessing vulnerability, has three steps.

1. Identify all of the natural hazards that have the potential to occur in Mukilteo and would have significant impacts.
2. Determine the probability of each natural hazard actually occurring.
3. Assess the extent the population, infrastructure, and private property would be impacted if the natural hazard happens.

Part two is a list of mitigation measures the city could undertake which, if implemented, would reduce the damage caused by the natural hazard.

Mukilteo's hazard mitigation plan is being updated because it was last updated in 2010 and because the agency that coordinated the City's previous plans and updates, ESCA (Emergency Services Coordinating Agency) dissolved in 2015. The new coordinating agency for Mukilteo is Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management (DEM). The Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan was updated by DEM in July 2015. As a planning partner, Mukilteo's updated plan, after it is adopted by the City Council, will become an "annex" to the countywide plan. The City of Mukilteo is one of 32 municipalities/agencies that are planning partners. The partners include towns, cities, Native American tribes, and special districts (school, water, wastewater, flood control, dike, health, PUD).

• Climate Change
• Earthquake
• Flood
• Landslide/Mass Movement
• Severe Weather
• Tsunami
• Volcano
• Wildland Fire

The impact from floods, tsunamis, volcanoes, and wildland fires would be minimal. There are no active volcanoes near Mukilteo so there is no direct threat from them. However, the ashfall from distant volcanoes could reach Mukilteo causing some damage to property and vehicles and negatively the health of people with breathing problems. While it's entirely possible a tsunami could reach Mukilteo's shore, the City's topography would contain the tsunami to a relatively small area. It's unlikely a wildland fire will occur in Mukilteo, but if it did it would be within one of the City's gulches and would likely be contained within a gulch where there is little or no development.

It was determined that Mukilteo is at zero risk of being impacted by an avalanche or dam failure, two hazards that pose significant risks to other areas in Snohomish County, because no dams or mountains are located close enough to Mukilteo to impact the City.

Step number one would be to read the draft plan. Download the current draft of the City of Mukilteo Annex to Snohomish County Hazard Mitigation Plan (Final Draft) (PDF). Comments may be submitted to the Planning Department by regular mail at:

• 11930 Cyrus Way
  Mukilteo, WA 98275

The local Source Control Program is a commercial, pollution prevention effort required by the Washington State Department of Ecology. Beginning in 2023, the City of Mukilteo and other NPDES permit holders are required to have a Source Control Program with the goal of helping businesses implement best management practices (BMPs), such as covering waste bins and reporting spills, to keep pollution out of rainwater. Spills or improperly stored waste travel into streams when it rains, and polluted rainwater can harm local watersheds and Puget Sound.

Program work will be carried out by the City of Mukilteo surface water team and will include inspections of commercial businesses and BMP technical support as needed. In addition to posting legally required notices, there will be updates to this webpage.

Certain business types will need to have plans to keep pollutants out of stormwater. These include a wide variety of business types and commercial entities that:

• Use hazardous materials
• Produce dangerous waste
• Have outdoor operations or storage

In January 2023, the City sent postcards to qualifying businesses notifying them that they will be inspected in the 2023 calendar year. If you received a postcard in the mail about Pollution Prevention and Source Control for Businesses, it means your business qualifies. Business types that qualify for the Pollution Prevention and Source Control Program include, among others:

• Dry cleaners
• Auto and equipment repair, auto detail, auto body (see BMP poster for more details)
• Gas stations
• Food establishments (see BMP poster for more details)
• Veterinarians and pet shops
• Dentists and medical laboratories
• Manufacturers and fabricators
• Municipal sites
• Commercial properties that border bodies of water
• Mobile businesses

An example list of qualifying business types by industrial classification code can be found in Appendix 8 of the NPDES Permit.

Examples of common pollutants and associated BMPs include:

• Oil, fuel, solvents, automobile liquids, and other petroleum products and their wastes
  • Example BMPs: Ecology Shop Guide
• Commercial discharge from cleaning activities or pressure washing
  • Example BMPs: Washing and Cleaning Equipment and Buildings
• Industrial discharges (such as manufacturing), process water, and runoff from materials stored outdoors that come in contact with rain or snow
  • Example BMPs: Storage or Transfer of Raw Materials, Byproducts, or Finished Products

Inspections will not be scheduled. A member of the City's surface water team will visit qualifying businesses during non-peak hours.

No action is needed by businesses at this time. Starting in 2023, the City will reach out to qualifying businesses and provide free inspections and appropriate technical assistance regarding business practices that have the potential to cause stormwater pollution, even in small amounts. Businesses will be advised on the correct BMPs for managing stormwater runoff. Follow-up communications will be provided as the Source Control Program gets underway.

The Source Control inspection will also include reviewing facility spill kits, spill plans, and employee training. Free assistance to develop your Spill Response Plans (PDF) and spill kits are available through the Mukilteo Public Works Department. Talk with your inspector on how to request a free spill kit and how to receive training.

Resources

• Clean Water Stewardship
• Mukilteo online stormwater web map
• Stormwater System Maintenance
• NPDES Phase II Municipal permit (Ecology)
• Puget Sound Starts Here
• Best Management Posters for Commercial Businesses by Type

If the first request for voluntary compliance is not acted on, source control inspectors will begin the Civil Violations process as outlined in MMC13.12.240 Enforcement.

The following Mukilteo Municipal Codes apply:

• 13.12.085 Requirement to implement best management practices
• 13.12.220 Inspections
• 13.12.240 Enforcement

Timeline

• May 2022 - Public hearing and ordinance adoption; 6 pm at City Hall. Public is welcome: Complete
• February 2022 - Announce program to potentially qualifying businesses via postcard and webpage: Complete
• August 2022 - Finalize inventory of qualifying businesses: Complete
• April 2022 - Send second postcards to qualifying business with schedule: Complete
• February 2023 - Begin business inspections and technical assistance

City of Mukilteo Adopted Monthly Surface Water Utility Rates (Per ERU or Equivalent Residential Unit):

• 2005 to 2015: $7.85 per ERU
• 2016: $14.84 per ERU
• 2017: $17.28 per ERU
• 2018: $19.19 per ERU
• 2019: $21.20 per ERU
• 2020: $23.43 per ERU

The surface water utility fee appears on your Mukilteo Water and Wastewater bill as "City storm water." A 6% tax also appears on the bill as "City storm water tax." It is billed every two months.

The surface water rates are calculated based on one Equivalent Residential Unit, or ERU. One ERU equals 2,500 square feet of hard surface. Residential properties are billed for one ERU, regardless of actual hard surface coverage.

Non-residential properties are calculated based on the actual square footage of hard surface coverage. For example, if a non-residential property has 7,500 square feet of hard surface, they are charged for 3 ERUs (7,500 divided by 2,500 equals 3).

For non-residential properties, hard surface calculations are made at the time of site development. Hard surfaces include any area that restricts rain water from reaching the soil; such as roofs, driveways, parking lots, and gravel areas. The calculations are used to determine how many ERUs are billed for stormwater fees.a

Qualifying low-income senior citizens and low-income disabled citizens can receive a 50% discount of the residential rate. If you qualify for a reduction on your Snohomish County property taxes, you qualify for the City's Surface Water Fee reduction. Contact Permit Services 425-263-8000 for an application.

In 2015, the City reviewed the stormwater utility's needs and the utility rates. While the City has added essential services including street sweeping, outreach programs, additional staff, and stormwater pond retrofits, the utility rates were not covering the costs of these programs. With a five-year graduated rate increase (beginning in 2016), the City anticipates having the necessary capacity to meet ever-growing needs and requirements through 2020.

In 2014, the City contracted with a qualified consultant to conduct a rate study. The rate study reviewed current costs and anticipated future costs associated with regulatory requirements, several capital improvement projects, and infrastructure assessment. The City determined that an increase in stormwater utility rates was needed to maintain essential services as well as to fund regulatory compliance work. Forty-seven capital projects were identified in this process. To keep rates low, only nine of these projects were scoped as part of the rate study.

The public was invited to participate in the process by identifying surface water needs and developing the rate through several avenues, including two Open House events, direct mailings, request for input on drainage issues, a Public Hearing, and a Citizen Advisory Committee. If you would like to be included as a party of interest for future surface water issues, please contact 425-263-8170.

A Surface Water Utility is a stand-alone service, responsible for building and maintaining the City's public drainage system. The drainage system carries runoff from roads and developed areas into natural waterways. This system includes roadside ditches, pipes, detention ponds, catch basins, and storm drains. A Surface Water Utility generates its revenue through user fees, just like the wastewater utility and the drinking water utility. Revenues from these fees go into a separate fund, to be used only for surface water services.

Surface water services include managing and maintaining infrastructure, providing technical assistance to property owners, providing review of development projects, meeting regulatory obligations, and using the best available science to prevent pollution from entering our streams and Puget Sound.

Regulatory Obligations: In addition to providing the essential functions of managing stormwater, the City also has obligations under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Stormwater Permit. This permit requires the City to limit pollution that leaves its drainage system. The NPDES Permit is based on the Federal Clean Water Act, and has been in place in Mukilteo since 2007.

Pollution (Water Quality): Every time it rains, runoff (the rainwater that is not absorbed into the ground or evaporated) carries contaminants from lawns, streets, buildings and parking lots, and deposits them directly into our streams and Puget Sound. Better pollution control and treatment is needed to reduce the pollution flowing into our local waterbodies.

Impervious Land, Localized Flooding, and Landslide Hazards (Water Quantity): The City's goal is to manage stormwater runoff so that it does not negatively impact our streams, steep slopes, or infrastructure. With development, there is more impervious area (paved streets, buildings, etc.). Impervious areas do not allow water to infiltrate, causing increased surface runoff. The steep slopes and underlying glacial till in Mukilteo combine to present unique challenges for managing frequent and intense rainfall events.

The stormwater fees go towards better stormwater management. Gradually you should see results in terms of better localized flooding management, stormwater maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Priorities for capital projects and other Utility programs are identified in the Stormwater Comprehensive Plan Update, and re-evaluated as new information is gathered. The Utility has defined Performance Measures to help evaluate its programs annually.

The City doesn't post minutes until they have been approved by the City Council or Commission. There must be a quorum present to approve the minutes and/or take action.

We recommend using Internet Explorer as your browser to view/listen to any streaming of video listed on this page. If you have any Internet issues with one browser, you could try another one. You may have a bad Internet connection, or the browser is having difficulties.

We use Granicus as our video and audio streaming service, and it can take 12 to 24 hours for a video or audio to be compressed and encoded to our website. On rare occasions, we have technical difficulties with a server, and strive to have all recordings available to the public as soon as possible.

The parking lots are closed to reduce the number of people who access the beach. The beach is still open and we are counting on visitors to observe the six feet social distancing rules. If beaches get too crowded and people aren't observing the social distancing rules, then we will take a second look at the situation. Help us out and stay six feet apart.

Yes, beginning May 5. You can access Japanese Gulch from the 76th Street/Community Garden entrance. If you want to access Big Gulch, we encourage you to park at the Library, rather on the street near 92nd Street Park. All park parking lots will be reopened but restrooms may not be. Please do not drive to a park or the beach to walk, stay in your neighborhood and keep social distancing. Trails and sidewalks are not considered parks, and continue to be open for your physical activity. Please respect physical distance of six feet and avoid groups.

Yes, beginning June 2, 2020, fire pits are allowed. Please see fire pit information on the Lighthouse Park page.

We aren't telling people to stop driving, but please do not drive to a park or the beach to walk. Stay in your neighborhood and keep social distancing. We are discouraging large groups of people at one park where it will be difficult to observe social distancing.

Yes if you stay in your car, practice social distancing and wear a mask.

Yes. Remain six feet apart from walkers who are not members of your current household.

City operations will continue via primarily phone, email and online. The public is encouraged to call 425-263-8000 for assistance with City services or visit our website. Your new parking permit(s) for the waterfront were mailed on May 1. Continue to use your current, expired permit until you receive the new one; remember, you could be cited if you do not display a permit. You can apply for an annual boat launch permit here (PDF).

See updates for residential or commercial permit submittal and inspections by visiting the Building & Permits page.

Stay away from them. You may report the situation to the Mayor's Office via email. You can also report violations or questions about violations to the State via this link.

The public can listen to and view the meetings from live streaming from the City's website or on the City's Facebook page (no login required). Scroll down that page and look for the meeting date; click on the audio or video icon. Regular Council meetings occur the first and third Monday of the month; if a Monday is a holiday, the meeting is on Tuesday that week. City Hall is closed to the public indefinitely. No members of the public will be able to attend meetings in person. Public comments can be sent via email to the City Clerk and they will be read into the record. Members of the public can email elected officials anytime. This information is subject to change without notice.

9-5

Since May 5, some public parks in Mukilteo are now open.

Lighthouse Park - allowed activities include walking, running and boating in household groups. Parking areas will be open. Restrooms will be open 7 am to 7 pm. The Boat Launch will be open. The playground is now open, but are only cleaned daily and are not sanitized.

92^nd Street Park, Tails and Trails Dog Park and Edgewater Beach: Parking areas will be open, but restrooms remain closed. City staffing is not sufficient to ensure frequent cleaning of these spaces. Port-a-potties will be open, and are cleaned weekly by the vendor. The playground is now open, but are only cleaned daily and are not sanitized.

The cameras are here to reduce speeding and crashes, especially in places where children and families are walking.

Speeding is one of the main causes of crashes. In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 12,330 people died and more than 326,000 were hurt in crashes where speeding was a factor.

Speed also makes a big difference for people walking. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that someone hit by a car going 20 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to die than someone hit at 30 mph.

Mukilteo and the Police Department work with NovoaGlobal to use cameras in school and park zones. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) reports that these cameras can cut crashes by more than 50%. Communities that use them also see safer roads around schools.

This program is allowed by Washington law (RCW 46.63.220) and Mukilteo municipal code chapter 10.06.

The cameras are placed where people are most at risk, like school zones and parks.

The City studied traffic complaints, crash reports, and speed surveys before deciding on each location. These areas were chosen to protect people who walk and bike, especially children near schools.

The City has prioritized school zones and parks to protect people walking and biking. 

• School Zone Speed Enforcement - 7700 Block Mukilteo Speedway at Olympic View Middle School (Northbound) 
• School Zone Speed Enforcement - 2500 Block of Mukilteo Speedway at Olympic View Middle School (Southbound) 
• Speed Enforcement - 300 Block Mukilteo Speedway at Rosehill Community Park (Southbound)
• Speed Enforcement - 9000 Block Mukilteo Speedway at 92nd St Park (Northbound) 

Each year the City must publish a report, as required by Washington law.

The report shows for each camera:

●    how many crashes happened, and

●    how many tickets (called Notices of Infraction) were issued.

Reports do not include names, faces, or personal details. Only the zip code and basics of the incident (speed, time, and place) are listed.

The City works with a company called NovoaGlobal, Inc. They provide the cameras and handle the computer system that captures possible violations.

●    Every potential violation is then reviewed by a Mukilteo Police Officer. If the officer confirms it is a valid violation, the officer issues the ticket.

●    The cameras only capture and process the images, the decision to issue a ticket is made by local law enforcement.

The law only allows the cameras to take pictures of the car and the license plate at the time of the violation.

●    The cameras do not take pictures of the driver or passengers.

●    The City also makes sure the camera flash does not distract drivers.

●    All photos and videos are for law enforcement use only.

●    By law, these images cannot be released to the public or the media.

These protections are required under Washington law (RCW46.63.220).

No, the cameras only record violations that occur during enforcement hours. 

●    School zone cameras: Only when the flashing beacons are on.

●    Park zone cameras: 0600-2200

The school zone cameras only issue tickets when the flashing lights are on. If you believe the lights were off, you may review the video of your violation at www.zerofatality.com and can bring that up at your hearing.

School-zone cameras only give tickets when the flashing school-zone lights are on.

The light schedule is set by Snohomish County. Current times are:

Olympic View Middle School

Mon–Thu: 7:35–8:10 AM & 2:40–3:15 PM

Fri: 7:35–8:10 AM & 1:25–2:05 PM

Early dismissal: 11:55 AM–12:30 PM

Mukilteo Elementary

Mon–Thu: 8:30–9:05 AM & 3:20–3:55 PM

Fri: 8:30–9:05 AM & 2:05–2:40 PM

Early dismissal: 12:50–1:25 PM

You have the right to see the evidence in your case. You can view it online at ZeroFatality.com using the violation number and PIN printed on your ticket.

If you’d like help, or don’t have internet access, you’re welcome to use the public kiosk at City Hall or the police department. Staff are available to help if you need assistance.

No. These tickets are treated like parking tickets.

They do not go on your driving record. Because they aren’t part of your driving record, they generally should not affect your insurance. These are handled in the same way as parking tickets. 

You must take action by the due date printed on your ticket. You have several options, you may:

• Pay the fine. You can pay online at ZeroFatality.com, by mail, or in person at City Hall.
• Ask for a hearing. You may request a hearing to explain your case. Hearings can be in person or in writing.
• Ask for help with payment. If you cannot afford the fine, you may request a payment plan, community service, or a reduction by filling out the Financial Hardship packet.
• Say you weren’t responsible. If you had sold the car, or someone else was in control of it, you must still Request a hearing and file a form explaining that you are not responsible (called an Affidavit of Non‑Liability). The Hearing Examiner will review it as part of your case.

 The fine amount for your case is printed on your ticket. The City of Mukilteo currently sets the fines at the following rates:  

If you were not the responsible party (for example, you sold the vehicle or it was under another person’s control), you must still submit a hearing request form along with an Affidavit of Non‑Liability. The affidavit will be reviewed as part of the hearing process.

No. The ticket always goes to the registered owner of the vehicle.

If you were not responsible (for example, you sold the car or someone else was in control), here’s what to do:

• Request a hearing with this form
• Fill out our Affidavit of Non‑Liability form.
• The Hearing Examiner will review it as part of your case.

If you already sold the car before the violation date, you are not responsible for the ticket.

Here’s what to do:

• File a Report of Sale with the Washington Department of Licensing (this should be done within 5 days of selling any vehicle according to RCW 46.12.650).
• Request a hearing and fill out our Affidavit of Non‑Liability.
• The Hearing Examiner will review your form as part of your case.

If you think a ticket was issued but you didn’t receive it, or if you’ve lost your ticket, contact the Administrative Hearings Office right away at court@mukilteowa.gov.

We can send you a copy and make sure you still have time to request a hearing.

You can request a hearing by filling out the online Request for Hearing form.

Once your hearing is scheduled, you can take part by coming in person to City Hall on your scheduled date, or

You may also choose a second option:

• Determination on Written Statement (also called an eHearing). In this option, the Hearing Examiner reviews your written statement, the officer’s report, and any evidence you submit. You don’t need to appear at all. There is no right to appeal a Determination on Written Statement. If you choose this option don’t forget to file the statement you’d like the Hearing Examiner to consider. You can do that with our form linked here. 

What happens after your request:

• We will schedule your hearing within 21 days of your request.
• You will get at least two weeks’ notice of your hearing date, time, and how to appear.
• If you choose a Determination on Written Statement (eHearing), you will not receive a hearing date. Instead, the Hearing Examiner’s ruling will be mailed to you once it is made. 

If you miss your scheduled hearing, a default ruling will be entered, and extra fees will be added.

We will schedule your hearing within 21 days of getting your request. You will get a notice by mail (and by email if available) with your hearing date, time, and how to attend.

You will always have at least two weeks’ notice before your hearing date.

Yes. You can choose to have your case decided based only on what you and the officer submit in writing. This is sometimes called an “eHearing” or a “Determination on Written Statement.”

Here’s how it works:

• Fill out the Request for Written Determination online.
• The Hearing Examiner will review your written statement, the officer’s report, and any evidence you send in.
• The ruling will be mailed to you once it is made.

Please note: under Washington Court Rule IRLJ 5.1, there is no right to appeal a case decided this way.

Yes. If you cannot make the date listed on your notice, contact us as soon as possible by emailing court@mukilteowa.gov. You must ask before the hearing, not after.

Our clerks may approve one change of date. Any additional requests will be reviewed by the Hearing Examiner and are only granted in limited situations. Please make every effort to attend the new date.

• Mitigation hearing: You admit you committed the infraction but want a hearing to explain the circumstances. The Hearing Examiner may reduce the penalty. In mitigation hearings you cannot subpoena witnesses and will be found to have committed the infraction.
• Contested hearing: You deny committing the infraction and want to contest it. The City must prove the violation by a preponderance of the evidence. You may subpoena witnesses, including the officer. 

• Determination on Written Statement: (Mitigation or Contested): You waive your appearance in a Hearing and submit a written declaration. The Hearing Examiner decides the infraction based on written materials including the officer’s sworn statement, your declaration and any submitted evidence before issuing a decision. You will indicate whether you are contesting the infraction or requesting mitigation—not both. The Hearing Examiner’s decision will be mailed to you and there is no right to appeal. 

No. Deferred findings do not apply to traffic safety camera tickets.

Here’s why:

• Camera tickets are treated as civil fines, not moving violations.
• They are not reported to your insurance and do not appear on your driving record.
• Because they are not “reportable” violations, Washington’s Deferral law does not apply.

You have several options:

• Online: Follow the payment instructions on your ticket (Note: $6.95 service fee applies for online payments).
• By mail: Send a check or money order to City Hall.
• In person: Pay at the counter in City Hall.

Need help paying? Fill out the Financial Hardship form to ask for a payment plan, more time, or community service instead of payment.

You may also ask about completing community service in lieu of payment by emailing us at court@mukilteowa.gov

Yes. If you are having trouble paying, we want to work with you. Fill out the Financial Hardship Form to ask for help.

Depending on your situation, options may include:

• More time to pay,
• Smaller payments over time,
• Community service instead of payment, and/or
• A possible reduction of the fine.

Please send in your request before the due date on your ticket so we can help you avoid late fees. Asking for help will not increase your fine or penalty.

Yes. You can ask to do community service instead of paying all or part of your fine. This option is open to everyone, no matter your income.

How the credit works:

• Each hour of service is worth the Washington State minimum wage.
• Right now, that means 1 hour = $16.66 credited toward your fine.

Where you can serve:

• Most charities, food banks, libraries, schools, parks, and shelters count.
• The group must be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status.

Rules you should know:

• You cannot be paid for your service.
• You cannot do hours for your employer, a family member, or a group you manage.
• Online “community service” programs that charge a fee are not accepted (examples: Terra Research, Community Service Help, Fast Community Service, American Angel Works, Caffeine Awareness Association).

Ask about this option when you request a hearing or email us at Court@mukilteowa.gov

If you do nothing, penalties will get worse:

• Late fees will be added after the due date on your ticket.
• The City may send your debt to collections.
• The Department of Licensing may put a hold on your vehicle registration, which means you cannot renew it until the fine is paid.

 Ignoring your ticket will only make the penalties more serious.

We will provide an interpreter or other reasonable accommodations at no cost to you.

Please let us know as early as possible so we can make arrangements. You can tell us on the Request for Hearing form or by email at court@mukilteowa.gov

Yes. See Q20 for instructions and explanation. 

You can reach us in several ways:

• By email: Send your questions to court@mukilteowa.gov. We track every request and usually reply within 48 hours.
• By form: Submitting any online form sends your request straight to our staff for follow-up.
• By phone or in person: Call us or visit City Hall during business hours.
• At City Hall: A public kiosk is available where you can view your video and complete forms.