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Washington building permits
Adopted codes, fees, and permit requirements for every covered Washington city — browse by county, sourced from official records.
CountyCities
- Asotin County1 city covered
- Benton County2 cities covered
- Clallam County1 city covered
- Clark County2 cities covered
- Franklin County1 city covered
- Island County1 city covered
- King County21 cities covered
- Kitsap County3 cities covered
- Pierce County5 cities covered
- Skagit County1 city covered
- Snohomish County8 cities covered
- Spokane County3 cities covered
- Thurston County3 cities covered
- Whatcom County3 cities covered
- Yakima County1 city covered
- Cowlitz County1 city covered
- Chelan County1 city covered
- Walla Walla County1 city covered
- Whitman County1 city covered
- Grant County1 city covered
Do I need a permit? — Washington guides
- Window ReplacementUsually no — but yes if you change the size of the opening.
- FenceSometimes — many fences need only zoning/setback approval; a building permit kicks in mainly for fences over 7 feet or with structural elements.
- DeckYes — unless it's a small ground-level platform under 200 sq ft.
- Water HeaterYes — even for a like-for-like replacement.
- Basement FinishYes — any framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires a permit.
- Solar PanelsYes — both a building and electrical permit are required.
- Roof ReplacementYes — all roof replacements and re-roofing projects require a permit.
- Hot TubYes — at minimum an electrical permit for the 240V circuit.
- ShedUnder 200 sq ft and under 10 feet tall? Usually no. Bigger? Yes.
- Furnace ReplacementYes — even a like-for-like furnace swap requires a mechanical permit.
- EV ChargerLevel 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.
- Patio Cover / PergolaSolid roof covers yes. Open-lattice pergolas may be exempt.
- Home BusinessYes — most cities require a home occupation permit.
- ADU / In-Law SuiteOften yes — many states now require cities to allow at least internal ADUs.
- Concrete / DrivewayOnly if it connects to the street, modifies drainage, or is a structural element.
- Commercial Tenant ImprovementAlmost always yes — a commercial tenant improvement needs a building permit, usually with electrical, mechanical, and fire permits alongside it.
- Washington PermitsYes, and the code behind that permit is set at state level. Under RCW 19.27.031 the state building code is in effect in all counties and cities, and RCW 19.27.060 lets a county or city amend it only in one direction — amendments may not fall below the state's minimum performance standards, and residential amendments are not effective at all until the State Building Code Council approves them.
Permit types across Washington
View all →Compare a permit type’s fees across every Washington city we cover.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU / Casita) PermitAffordable Housing Permit Fee ReductionAlteration or Change of Occupancy in an Older BuildingAppeal a Building Code DecisionAutomatic Fire-Extinguishing System PermitBuilding PermitBuilding Permit — Earth Subsidence and Landslide Hazard AreaCommercial Building PermitConstruction Permit - Addition or AlterationConstruction Permit - Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI)Deck / Covered Patio PermitDemolition PermitDemolition Permit - BuildingDock and Over-Water Structure PermitElectrical PermitExpanded Work Hours PermitFenceFence / Retaining Wall PermitFuel gas permitHouse Moving PermitLand filling, clearing and grading permitMechanical / HVAC PermitPatio CoverPermit Fee Exemption or AdjustmentPlumbing PermitRe-Roof PermitRefrigeration PermitResidential Building Permit (New Construction)Roof Replacement or RepairRoofing Permit (Reroof)Shed or Detached Accessory BuildingSwimming Pool / Spa PermitTree RemovalVerify a Contractor LicenceWater and Sewer Service for Occupancy