You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-16.
Vancouver building permits
Vancouver, Washington — as published 2026-09-16.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
Required for construction in Vancouver. Unusually for Washington, the permit fee schedule is published in the municipal code rather than in a separate council resolution.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Built to Washington State's currently adopted IBC or IRC - VMC Title 17 names no edition year
- Neither model code's Chapter 1 applies; VMC Chapter 17.08 supplies the administration
- Valuation is determined by the building official from national statistical averages, not by the applicant
- A permit is not valid until the permit and construction documents are approved AND the fees are paid
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding permit application and construction documentsBuilding permit application and construction documents, as required by VMC 17.08.100
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | VANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". Show full citationHideVANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". The schedule is valuation-based and regressive, starting at $30.93 for work valued at $1 to $500 and reaching "$7,378.62 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof" at the top bracket. THREE THINGS ARE ADDED ON TOP AND PEOPLE MISS THEM: a plan review fee of 65% of the building permit fee (100% if you want fast track review); a technology fee of five and one-half percent applied to the building fund fees in Tables I through VI; and, where the work involves two or more codes, a single permit fee of ONE AND SIX-TENTHS TIMES the fee otherwise set out. Valuation itself is not yours to choose - VMC 17.08.130 provides that it "shall be generated from national statistical averages as found in 'Building Standards' or similar source", with the determination made by the building official. These figures were read from the code on 2026-09-16 and checked for internal consistency; confirm them with the city before relying on them for a budget. |
Deck Permit
Residential decks in Vancouver are built to the state's currently adopted IRC as amended by VMC 17.10, using the city's own design criteria.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Minimum roof snow load 25 lbs/sft for any covered structure
- Frost depth 12 inches - footings must bear below it
- Seismic design category D1
- Design wind speed: V-ASD 105 mph or V-ULT 135 mph (Risk Category II) - use the one your design method calls for
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding permit application and construction documentsBuilding permit application and construction documents, as required by VMC 17.08.100
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | VANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". Show full citationHideVANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". The schedule is valuation-based and regressive, starting at $30.93 for work valued at $1 to $500 and reaching "$7,378.62 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof" at the top bracket. THREE THINGS ARE ADDED ON TOP AND PEOPLE MISS THEM: a plan review fee of 65% of the building permit fee (100% if you want fast track review); a technology fee of five and one-half percent applied to the building fund fees in Tables I through VI; and, where the work involves two or more codes, a single permit fee of ONE AND SIX-TENTHS TIMES the fee otherwise set out. Valuation itself is not yours to choose - VMC 17.08.130 provides that it "shall be generated from national statistical averages as found in 'Building Standards' or similar source", with the determination made by the building official. These figures were read from the code on 2026-09-16 and checked for internal consistency; confirm them with the city before relying on them for a budget. |
Verify a Contractor Licence
Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration is a STATE record; Vancouver does not issue it.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Check contractor registration with Washington State Labor & Industries
Required documents
- OptionalNo city document requiredNo city document - check the state register
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | VANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". Show full citationHideVANCOUVER IS UNUSUAL: ITS BUILDING PERMIT FEES ARE IN THE CODE ITSELF, AS TABLE I OF VMC 17.08, marked "2026 Fees". The schedule is valuation-based and regressive, starting at $30.93 for work valued at $1 to $500 and reaching "$7,378.62 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof" at the top bracket. THREE THINGS ARE ADDED ON TOP AND PEOPLE MISS THEM: a plan review fee of 65% of the building permit fee (100% if you want fast track review); a technology fee of five and one-half percent applied to the building fund fees in Tables I through VI; and, where the work involves two or more codes, a single permit fee of ONE AND SIX-TENTHS TIMES the fee otherwise set out. Valuation itself is not yours to choose - VMC 17.08.130 provides that it "shall be generated from national statistical averages as found in 'Building Standards' or similar source", with the determination made by the building official. These figures were read from the code on 2026-09-16 and checked for internal consistency; confirm them with the city before relying on them for a budget. |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.
Fee schedules
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 Vancouver building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.