Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the club located?
A: 34827 State Route 530 NE
ARLINGTON, WA 98223
Q: What’s the club like?
A:The Stillaguamish Country Club is a club, located
in the country.
The Stillaguamish Country Club was established in
1924 as a non-profit corporation and currently consists of
approximately 95 acres located on Hwy 530, between Arlington and
Darrington. The Club was created primarily for recreational and relaxation purposes. There
are no physical amenities: no swimming pool, tennis courts, golf
course or clubhouse.It is not a bedroom or retirement community and permanent residence is not
strongly encouraged. Roughly half of the property is undeveloped
forestland and the other half is divided into lots that are assigned
to members. Over the years, members have built cabins, or ‘improvements” on their
assigned lots, which vary in style and livability from very rustic
with no plumbing to year-round residences.
An important aspect of the Club is that individual
members DO NOT own the land on which their cabin sits. Members own ONLY the improvements, such as dwellings, sheds,
septic tanks, etc. The Club owns the land; all members are part of
the club that owns the land.
A:
First, prospective members have to locate a
cabin, called “improvements”, for sale. Sale of the improvements
is negotiated privately with the selling member.
It is important to note that because the sale is for
only the improvements, NOT the land, it can be very difficult to get
a mortgage. Most people who purchase improvements have cash, as from
a retirement fund, inheritance, or sale or refinancing of a home.
Other unsecured loans may be available, depending on an individual’s
financial circumstances. Some sellers may be willing to carry a
contract for at least a portion of the sale, but others are not. The
club will NOT co-sign for a loan, nor approve an agreement in which
a bank or corporation becomes the owner in case of default.
Next, the sale cannot be
completed until the prospective buyer/member applies for and is
approved for membership. When approval is granted, the sale
proceeds, and the new members are welcomed to the Club. Once seller
and buyer have agreed on a sale, there are several steps to applying
for membership:
- Submitting an application. This includes
finding 2 current members, not including the seller, to write a
letter of reference. The seller can help identify members if
needed. The application
process also includes a credit check and criminal background
check.
- Two interviews will be held. First,
applicants meet with the Membership Committee; the interview
covers the basic rules and expectations of membership, and
provides an opportunity for applicants and the club to answer
questions and clarify expectations. Assuming the first interview
is successful, applicants then meet with the Board of Directors
at a regularly scheduled meeting. Depending on timing, this
process can take two months.
- Once approved by both the Membership
Committee and the Board, the applicant pays the required
deposit.
- When these steps are completed, the seller and buyer finalize the sale, the seller/s surrender their membership certificate and the new member is issued a certificate of membership.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The cost of the improvements is determined solely by the
seller. Some selling prices are open to negotiation, solely at
the discretion of the seller. In general, asking prices over the
last few years have ranged from $65,000 to more than $200,000,
though asking prices may be lower or higher.
Prospective buyers pay a non-refundable application fee of $100 when applying for membership.
A deposit of $1,500 is required before final membership is approved. This deposit is refunded to the buyer when the membership is relinquished, minus a transfer fee, (currently $25,) and minus payment of any outstanding dues, fees or fines. (The deposit amount is subject to change based on approval by the membership; $1500 is current as of December 2011.)
All members pay annual membership dues, currently $680 for a single lot and $1020 for a double lot. Dues can be raised no higher, without approval of the membership as a whole. Dues cover the operating costs of the Club, including land taxes, caretaker’s salary and upkeep costs.
Members are responsible for paying property taxes on their improvements, any utility and insurance costs, and for any further maintenance, improvements or upkeep.
Q: What can I do with my
assigned lot?
A: You can enjoy it! You can landscape it. You can build an approved fire ring/barbecue
(please refer to the
burning rules document). You can build a new
outbuilding, as long as it meets county code. You can repair or
remodel the existing buildings. While the lot is not legally your
property, you are responsible for its upkeep, including removal of
invasive species and working with the club to identify and remove
dangerous trees.
Q: What are the benefits of
membership?
A: The benefits of membership include the opportunity to engage in
rest and recreation in a bucolic, quiet, secure, beautiful setting
that cannot be further developed; to enjoy a combination of retreat
and community; access to several nearby outdoor recreational
activities including fishing, hiking, biking, river and pond
swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, birding and camping.
If you have children or grandchildren in your life, they can find tadpoles, observe wildlife, watch baby salmon,
eat wild berries, wade in the creek, throw rocks in water and
generally enjoy an outdoor childhood experience becoming more and
more rare.
Q: What are the
responsibilities of membership?
A: Responsibilities include keeping current on dues and other
expenses as required; understanding and following community rules;
participating in the annual work and meeting days (alternatives to
work day are available for those who cannot participate in the
actual work); participate in the broader community by volunteering
for one of many committees; be willing to run for and serve if
elected to the board of directors after 2 years of membership;
holding a non-elective office or committee chair; or other
activities.
Q: What amenities does
membership offer?
A: Besides the benefits already listed, amenities include a live-in
caretaker with specific responsibilities; a security gate that is
closed and locked from 10 pm to 6 am to which members have keys;
approximately 2 miles of trails maintained by members; a private
pond for swimming and water activities, which is part of a salmon
habitat restoration project; private access to the north fork of the
Stillaguamish River; about 45 acres of undeveloped second growth
community land featuring second growth forest and several
microclimates.
Q: Why should I join? Why
shouldn’t I join?
A: Reasons to join include wanting to have access to club property
for the purposes of rest, relaxation and enjoying the benefits of
membership, and wanting to experience a balance of community and
privacy in a natural environment.
Q: Who can be a member?
A: Any single person or legally married couple can apply to be members.
Under current by-laws, domestic partnerships, whether same sex or
heterosexual, are not considered marriages.
Q: What does it take to be
approved as a member?
A: You follow the process outlined above. In general, the club is
looking for people who have an affinity for the purposes of the
club; are willing to meet all responsibilities of membership; can
meet all fiscal requirements; value stewardship of club property to
ensure its preservation for future generations; and intend to
participate in the club requirements and activities.
Q: Are my children welcome?
A: Children are very welcome. Children of members are expected to
follow all rules and expectations, and are strongly encouraged to
participate in club activities.Children may be present at annual meetings, if their behavior
is appropriate to the occasion, though they may not participate.
Occasionally, adult children may attend in order to assist a parent
to participate.
Q: Are there rules or covenants?
A: Yes. All rules and expectations are covered in the
by-laws, ground rules and other documents that are provided for each
membership.
Q: Is it handicapped
accessible?
A: No. Some cabins may be wheelchair accessible. Most are not, having been initially built
between 1924 and the mid-1950’s. The creek, river, pond and trails are not accessible by
wheelchair, though some persons using wheelchairs have visited and
enjoyed the club.
Q: Can I rent out my cabin? How can I make my cabin pay for itself? How can I grow my investment?
A: Cabins and membership are specifically NOT intended as a
financial investment or source of income. Cabins and assigned lots
cannot be rented. You can’t make your cabin pay for itself. It cannot be offered as a prize for an auction or raffle.
Q: Can I remodel my cabin?
A: Yes, cabins can be remodeled, as long as all improvements meet
Snohomish County zoning and building codes.
Q: Can I fish in the river?
A:Yes, you can fish in the river subject to Dept of Game and Wildlife rules and regulations. Fishing is also available in nearby rivers, notably the Sauk,
and lakes.
No fishing is allowed in French Creek and Blue Pond.
Q: Can I bring my dog/have
dogs?
A: Many members have dogs and cats, and bring them to the club.
Specific rules apply to dogs in particular, including that dogs be
under either voice control or on a leash at any time they are off
the member’s lot. Dogs must not leave a member’s lot unaccompanied by a person able to
control the dog; nor can dogs menace other members even while on
their owner’s lot. Fines and other sanctions may be levied against
members for failure to abide by rules pertaining to pets.
Q: Can I let friends use my cabin?
A: Friends and extended family may use your improvements, at your
discretion, though you may not charge them for such use. All guests
are expected to sign in and to follow all rules. If a guest wants or
plans to stay longer than a week, prior permission from the Board of
Directors is required.
Q: Can I have a wedding there?
A: There are no rental or other facilities available to the public.
As a member, as long as all other Club rules are followed, you may
choose to have a small wedding at your cabin on your assigned lot.
Q: If membership has to be approved, how can I
leave my property to my children/grand children/family/other person?
A: “Legacy” memberships are handled like any other transfer of membership. All memberships must be
approved, as described above. You may choose to transfer membership
during your lifetime; in this case the person of your choice must
follow the application process.
If your membership is active at the time of your death, the surviving spouse
in a married couple is assumed to still be the member and does not
have to apply for membership. If there is no surviving spouse, the
executor of the estate is responsible for transferring the
membership, either by sale or by application for membership by an
heir. The estate must continue to pay for costs associated with
membership, such as dues, fine, fees and taxes, until a new member
is approved. Further information on this process is available from
the club secretary.
Q: I’ve always wanted a
goat/chickens. Can I raise animals?
A: Horses, cattle, goats, chickens and other livestock are not
allowed at the Club. If you want to have a horse, pasturage and
horse boarding is available nearby, at your own expense.
Additional Resources
Please contact the club President (listed in Contacts) with any questions.