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Richland building permits
Richland, Washington — as published 2026-09-16.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
Required for construction in Richland. The city adopts whatever the state adopts under RCW 19.27.031, prices permits from a 1997 table, and ties permanent utilities to the certificate of occupancy.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Built to the codes the state of Washington adopts under RCW 19.27.031, latest published editions as amended by the State Building Code Council
- Additions and deletions are in RMC Title 21 AND RMC Title 20
- All contractors and subcontractors must hold a City of Richland business licence
- Cedar shakes and shingles are prohibited on new construction
- No permanent utility service until a certificate of occupancy issues
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding permit application with declared valuationThe declared valuation must cover all construction work plus finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems and any other permanent equipment.
- RequiredContractor and subcontractor business licencesAll contractors and sub-contractors must hold a valid and current City of Richland business licence under RMC Title 5.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (1997 UBC Table 1-A) | 1997 UBC Table 1-A, greater-of rule | RICHLAND'S BUILDING PERMIT FEE COMES OUT OF A 1997 CODE, AND THIS ENTRY DOES NOT STATE A DOLLAR FIGURE FOR IT. Show full citationHideRICHLAND'S BUILDING PERMIT FEE COMES OUT OF A 1997 CODE, AND THIS ENTRY DOES NOT STATE A DOLLAR FIGURE FOR IT. RMC 21.01.020: "Fees for building permits and related inspections shall be as set forth in Table 1-A from the 1997 Uniform Building Code as previously published by the International Code Council, Inc." That table is not reproduced in the municipal code, so no amount is quoted here rather than invented - ask the city for the current schedule. THE PART YOU CAN ACT ON IS THE VALUATION RULE: the fee is computed on "the greater of either the valuation noted in Supplemental Table 1-B or the declared valuation of construction from the applicant for the permit", so declaring a low valuation does not lower the fee. The declared valuation must include "the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment." Valuations absent from Supplemental Table 1-B fall back to the "Building Valuation Data" published in the Building Safety Journal, or to the building official's determination. SEPARATELY, THE NREC FEE IS PUBLISHED IN FULL IN THE CODE and is reproduced in feeSchedule - it runs from $100 up to a $1,550 maximum. |
Verify a Contractor Licence
Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries - AND Richland separately requires a city business licence for contractors and subcontractors.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Check contractor registration with Washington State Labor & Industries
- Confirm the contractor holds a current City of Richland business licence under RMC Title 5
- Subcontractors need the city licence too
Required documents
- RequiredCity of Richland business licenceRequired of all contractors and subcontractors under RMC Title 5.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee (1997 UBC Table 1-A) | 1997 UBC Table 1-A, greater-of rule | RICHLAND'S BUILDING PERMIT FEE COMES OUT OF A 1997 CODE, AND THIS ENTRY DOES NOT STATE A DOLLAR FIGURE FOR IT. Show full citationHideRICHLAND'S BUILDING PERMIT FEE COMES OUT OF A 1997 CODE, AND THIS ENTRY DOES NOT STATE A DOLLAR FIGURE FOR IT. RMC 21.01.020: "Fees for building permits and related inspections shall be as set forth in Table 1-A from the 1997 Uniform Building Code as previously published by the International Code Council, Inc." That table is not reproduced in the municipal code, so no amount is quoted here rather than invented - ask the city for the current schedule. THE PART YOU CAN ACT ON IS THE VALUATION RULE: the fee is computed on "the greater of either the valuation noted in Supplemental Table 1-B or the declared valuation of construction from the applicant for the permit", so declaring a low valuation does not lower the fee. The declared valuation must include "the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment." Valuations absent from Supplemental Table 1-B fall back to the "Building Valuation Data" published in the Building Safety Journal, or to the building official's determination. SEPARATELY, THE NREC FEE IS PUBLISHED IN FULL IN THE CODE and is reproduced in feeSchedule - it runs from $100 up to a $1,550 maximum. |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Richland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.