Public Works Engineering

Establishing existing private roads as County roads

Authorization: 

Revised Code of Washington 36.81 grants:

a) the Board of Skagit County Commissioners the ability to declare a road as a public necessity and establish it as a County road; or,

b) a Petition to Establish can be submitted by ten or more freeholders and must have the signatures of the majority of property owners in the vicinity of the proposed road for establishment. A Public Hearing will be held to present the Office of the County Engineer’s Report on the proposed establishment and listen to testimony for consideration by the Board.

Requirements:

The petition must state the public necessity, describe the general course and terminal points of the road(s), include a map or survey of the road(s), and submitted with the appropriate bonds and fees.

Prior to establishment, the road must comply with current County road standards including, but not limited to, proper signage and traffic safety installations, functioning drainage appurtenances in good condition, and a driving surface in good condition.

• Procedure For Establishment of a County Road and Petition [Pdf]
• Map: Skagit Region Traffic Counts

Process:

The County Engineer’s Office will evaluate the proposed road(s) for defects and make sure that it meets current County road standards. This information will be shared with the Petitioners to decide on whether or not to proceed with the petition.

If a public hearing is not held, the application fee will be returned.

If the Board agrees that the road(s) are a public necessity and wish to establish as County roads, an “Conditional Order to Establish” will be executed, outlining the remaining improvements needed to bring the road(s) to County Standards, and/or reimburse the County for costs associated with the establishment process, i.e. transfer of rights-of-way, publishing fees, recording fees, Excise Tax fees, etc.