Residential Building Permit (New Construction) in Wenatchee, Washington

Wenatchee requires a residential building permit (new construction) for: “The 2018 International Residential Code … with amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-51 WAC as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended” (WCC 2.04.010), with Appendix J and Appendix M (Home Day Care) specifically adopted; THE NAMED YEAR IS 2018 AND THE CITED WAC CHAPTER CURRENTLY CARRIES 2021 — confirm the operative edition with the building official; Only Class A, B or C roofing assemblies may be installed within the city limits (R902.1 as amended); Sheds up to 200 sq ft are exempt but must sit five feet from all property lines and one foot clear of other structures, or they count as attached and need a permit; Permits expire if work does not start within 180 days, if work stops for 180 days, or two years after issuance regardless of progress (WCC 2.06.010). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Wenatchee – Community Development Department at (509) 888-6200 before starting work.

In Wenatchee, the published Permit fee is: Not published in code; ask the city. Additional published fees: Administrative appeal — Set by WCC 1.99.010; ask the city. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Up to two years, with two earlier ways to lose it. WCC 2.06.010: “All building permits shall expire by limitation and be declared void if (a) work is not started within 180 days of obtaining a permit, or (b) work is abandoned for 180 days or more after beginning work, or (c) after two years from the date of permit issuance, regardless of whether the work is finished.” An AFTER-THE-FACT permit is far tighter — invalid unless work commences within 60 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 60 days.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Documents. Depending on your project, Wenatchee may also ask for: Special Inspection Agency Documentation. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apply through City of Wenatchee – Community Development Department at 301 Yakima Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Phone: (509) 888-6200. Official information: https://www.wenatcheewa.gov/.

The code names 2018 and the state chapter it incorporates now carries 2021, and this guide does not resolve that. WCC 2.04.010 adopts “The 2018 International Residential Code published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), with amendments as set forth in Chapter 51-51 WAC as the same exists now or may hereafter be amended”, with Appendices J and M. The amendments chapter, WCC 2.04.020, is written against the “2018 International Residential Code” to match, so the named year is deliberate rather than a stale cross-reference. But the rolling WAC clause points at a chapter that today adopts the 2021 IRC. Confirm the operative edition with the building official.