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You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-16.

Longview building permits

Verified

Longview, Washington — as published 2026-09-16.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Codes adopted

THE WAC IS NAMED FIRST AND THE MODEL CODE IS PARENTHETICAL — the inverse of every other city in this set, which names the code and then cites the WAC. LMC 16.02.010: “Chapters 51-11R and 51-11C WAC (2021 International Energy Conservation Code), Chapter 51-50 WAC (2021 International Building Code), including the Appendix Chapters E, as further amended by Chapter 51-50 WAC, I and J, Chapter 51-51 WAC (2021 International Residential Code), including the Appendix Chapters G and H, Chapter 51-52 WAC (2021 International Mechanical Code), and Chapter 51-56 WAC (2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards), together with amendments thereof and additions thereto, one copy of each of which is on file in the office of the city clerk of the city of Longview, shall be and are hereby adopted as the building code of the city of Longview…”Editions are NAMED: 2021 for the IECC, IBC, IRC, IMC and UPC. IBC Appendix Chapters E, I and J are adopted; IRC Appendix Chapters G and H are adopted.AN APPLICANT-ELECTED ALTERNATE PLUMBING CODE, which is unusual anywhere in this corpus. LMC 16.02.020 amends IBC Section 101.4.3 and adds: “Exception: When requested in writing by the permit applicant, on the permit application, the 2021 International Plumbing Code shall be considered an approved alternate for plumbing installations governed under the Uniform Plumbing Code. When approved Alternate plumbing codes are utilized, the entire plumbing installation shall be installed and governed under the provisions of the alternate code.” So the governing plumbing code is chosen by the applicant, in writing, at application.ELECTRICAL IS BEING WITHDRAWN, AND THE CODE SHOWS THAT MID-FLIGHT. LMC 16.02.020 already deletes IBC “Section 101.4.8, Electrical”. Separately, LMC Chapter 16.24 ELECTRICAL CODE is still published in full — Article I Adoption By Reference (§ 16.24.010), Article II General Provisions (§§ 16.24.020–.120), Article III Authority (§§ 16.24.200–.220), Article IV Permits And Approvals (§§ 16.24.300–.390) and Article V Plan Review (§ 16.24.400) — while the publisher's New Laws panel on that same chapter lists “Ord. 3577 — Adopted 2026-04-09 — Buildings and Construction: Repeals Electrical Code — Affects Ch 16.24”. BOTH ARE RECORDED AND NEITHER IS SUPPRESSED: the codified text is live, the repeal is adopted and not yet codified.Property maintenance runs through two documents at once: IBC Section 101.4.4 is amended so that “the International Property Maintenance Code and Longview Municipal Code Chapter 16.32 (Unfit Dwellings and Structures) shall apply to all structures and premises…”NOT OPENED FOR THIS ENTRY: LMC 16.12 (Historic Preservation), 16.13 (Uniform Sign Code), 16.28 (Building Numbering), 16.30 (Property Maintenance Code), 16.32 (Unfit Dwellings), 16.36 (Mobile Homes), 16.38 (Manufactured Homes), 16.40 (Advertising Structures), 16.46 (Hedges), 16.48 (Fences), 16.56 (Condominium Conversions), 16.60 (Property Tax Incentives), 16.75 (Wireless), 16.80 (Eligible Facilities Modifications), the body of 16.24, LMC Title 18 (Fire Prevention) and LMC Chapter 19.12 (Appeal Board of Adjustment).ELEVEN CHAPTERS OF TITLE 16 ARE NAMED “REPEALED” IN THE CONTENTS — 16.01, 16.03, 16.04, 16.05, 16.06, 16.07, 16.14, 16.23, 16.44, 16.53 and 16.54 — which is readable without opening them, the same rendering Lynnwood uses and the opposite of Puyallup's and Lake Stevens'.

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

Verified

Required for new one- and two-family dwellings in Longview, reviewed under the 2021 International Residential Code as adopted through Chapter 51-51 WAC.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

  • “Chapter 51-51 WAC (2021 International Residential Code), including the Appendix Chapters G and H” (LMC 16.02.010)
  • PLAN REVIEW IS AN EXTRA 65 PERCENT of the building permit fee for IRC one- and two-family reviews, “in addition to the permit fees”
  • A “Same As” master plan can cut repeat plan review to 30 percent, within one subdivision and one code cycle
  • Five of the IBC Section 105.2 permit exemptions are deleted locally (subsections 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12)
  • Appeals go to the Appeal Board of Adjustment under LMC Chapter 19.12

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationIf you want the International Plumbing Code alternate, the request must be made IN WRITING ON THIS APPLICATION — LMC 16.02.020 allows no other route and no later election.
  • RequiredSubmittal Documents for Plan ReviewRequired by IBC Section 107 as adopted. The plan review fee is payable at the time of submitting them.
  • Optional“Same As” Master Plan SetFor repetitive plans: three complete sets including all supporting documentation, plus one limited set consisting of a site plan, floor plan and exterior elevations only.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building permitSet in the master fee schedule
LMC 16.02.020 replaces IBC Section 109.2 and adds 109.2.1: “The fee for each building permit shall be as established in the community and economic development department master fee schedule.” The… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 replaces IBC Section 109.2 and adds 109.2.1: “The fee for each building permit shall be as established in the community and economic development department master fee schedule.” The same wording covers mechanical (109.2.2) and plumbing (109.2.3) permits. NO DOLLAR AMOUNT APPEARS IN THE CODE and none is asserted here — but unlike most of this Washington set, the PERCENTAGES that sit on top of that schedule ARE published, and they are recorded separately below.

Plan review (1-2 family, IRC)65% of permit fee, charged on topLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.2.1.3: the plan review fee “for reviews relating to the provisions of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings shall be 65 percent of the building permit fee”, and is “a separate fee from the permit fee … in addition to” it.
Repeat “Same As” plan review30% of permit fee for repeat plansLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.2.1.3: “The plan review fee for ‘Same As’ plans submitted subsequent to the initial submittal shall be reduced to 30% of the building permit fee.” Conditional on same subdivision, same code cycle, and no deviation from the approved master plan.
Refund if withdrawnUp to 80% refunded if no work is done
LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before any plan review effort has been expended.” Written application required “not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.”

Refund if charged in error100% refunded if charged in errorLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6(1): “The full amount of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.” Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.

Commercial Building Permit

Verified

Required for commercial construction, alteration and occupancy in Longview, under the 2021 International Building Code adopted through Chapter 51-50 WAC.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

  • “Chapter 51-50 WAC (2021 International Building Code), including the Appendix Chapters E, as further amended by Chapter 51-50 WAC, I and J” (LMC 16.02.010)
  • The code is locally retitled “the Building Code of the City of Longview, Washington”
  • PLAN REVIEW IS AN EXTRA 70 PERCENT of the building permit fee for all non-IRC reviews
  • The building official also enforces land use approval conditions as they relate to permit issuance and certificates of occupancy (Section 104.1 as amended)
  • Violations are a MISDEMEANOR under Section 114.1 as amended

Required documents

  • RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFiled under LMC Chapter 16.02.
  • RequiredSubmittal Documents for Plan ReviewPlan review fee payable at submittal. Where documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional review, or the project involves deferred submittal items under Section 107.3.4.2, an additional plan review fee is charged at the rate shown in Table 1-A.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Building permitSet in the master fee schedule
LMC 16.02.020 replaces IBC Section 109.2 and adds 109.2.1: “The fee for each building permit shall be as established in the community and economic development department master fee schedule.” The… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 replaces IBC Section 109.2 and adds 109.2.1: “The fee for each building permit shall be as established in the community and economic development department master fee schedule.” The same wording covers mechanical (109.2.2) and plumbing (109.2.3) permits. NO DOLLAR AMOUNT APPEARS IN THE CODE and none is asserted here — but unlike most of this Washington set, the PERCENTAGES that sit on top of that schedule ARE published, and they are recorded separately below.

Plan review (all other reviews)70% of permit fee, charged on topLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.2.1.3: “said plan review fee for all other reviews shall be 70 percent of the building permit fee as shown in the community and economic development department master fee schedule”, and is in addition to the permit fee.
Refund if withdrawnUp to 80% refunded if no work is done
LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before any plan review effort has been expended.” Written application required “not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.”

Refund if charged in error100% refunded if charged in errorLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6(1): “The full amount of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.” Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.

Plumbing Permit

Verified

Plumbing work in Longview is governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code — unless the applicant elects the 2021 International Plumbing Code in writing at application.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

  • “Chapter 51-56 WAC (2021 Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards)” (LMC 16.02.010)
  • ALTERNATE AVAILABLE BY WRITTEN ELECTION: “When requested in writing by the permit applicant, on the permit application, the 2021 International Plumbing Code shall be considered an approved alternate” (LMC 16.02.020, IBC 101.4.3 as amended)
  • “When approved Alternate plumbing codes are utilized, the entire plumbing installation shall be installed and governed under the provisions of the alternate code.” — no mixing
  • State of Washington requirements for private sewage disposal apply to private systems
  • LMC 16.02.060 contains further additions and changes to Chapter 51-56 WAC and was NOT opened for this entry

Required documents

  • RequiredPlumbing Permit ApplicationIf the International Plumbing Code alternate is wanted, the written request must be made ON THE PERMIT APPLICATION. There is no later route.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Plumbing permitSet in the master fee scheduleLMC 16.02.020 adds Section 109.2.3: “The fee for each plumbing permit shall be as set forth in the Community and Economic Development Department Master Fee Schedule.” No amount is published in the code.
Refund if withdrawnUp to 80% refunded if no work is done
LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before any plan review effort has been expended.” Written application required “not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.”

Refund if charged in error100% refunded if charged in errorLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6(1): “The full amount of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.” Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.

Mechanical Permit

Verified

Mechanical work in Longview is reviewed under the 2021 International Mechanical Code adopted through Chapter 51-52 WAC.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

  • “Chapter 51-52 WAC (2021 International Mechanical Code)” (LMC 16.02.010)
  • IBC Section 101.4.2 as amended applies the IMC to “ventilating, heating, cooling, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, incinerators and other energy-related systems”
  • Free-standing WOOD STOVES have their own inspection fee under Section 109.2.1.2
  • LMC 16.02.040 contains further additions and changes to Chapter 51-52 WAC and was NOT opened for this entry

Required documents

  • RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationFiled under LMC Chapter 16.02.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Mechanical permitSet in the master fee scheduleLMC 16.02.020 adds Section 109.2.2: “The fee for each mechanical permit shall be as set forth in the Community and Economic Development Department Master Fee Schedule.”
Wood stove inspectionSet in the master fee scheduleLMC 16.02.020 adds Section 109.2.1.2: “The fees for inspection of free-standing wood stoves shall be as set forth in the Community and Economic Development Department Master Fee Schedule.” A separately itemised inspection most codes do not break out.
Refund if withdrawnUp to 80% refunded if no work is done
LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before… Show full citation

LMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6: “Not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done”, and the same cap on plan review fees where an application is withdrawn or cancelled “before any plan review effort has been expended.” Written application required “not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.”

Refund if charged in error100% refunded if charged in errorLMC 16.02.020 Section 109.6(1): “The full amount of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected.” Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.

Electrical Permit

Verified

Electrical regulation in Longview is in transition: the codified electrical chapter is still published in full while an adopted ordinance repealing it has not yet been codified.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

  • LMC Chapter 16.24 ELECTRICAL CODE is still published complete — Article I Adoption By Reference (§ 16.24.010), Article II General Provisions (§§ 16.24.020–.120), Article III Authority (§§ 16.24.200–.220), Article IV Permits And Approvals (§§ 16.24.300–.390), Article V Plan Review (§ 16.24.400)
  • THE PUBLISHER'S NEW LAWS PANEL ON THAT CHAPTER LISTS: “Ord. 3577 — Adopted 2026-04-09 — Buildings and Construction: Repeals Electrical Code — Affects Ch 16.24”
  • Separately and already codified, LMC 16.02.020 deletes IBC “Section 101.4.8, Electrical”
  • THE CODIFIED TEXT AND THE ADOPTED ORDINANCE DISAGREE. This entry reports both and resolves neither
  • THE BODY OF CHAPTER 16.24 WAS NOT OPENED for this entry — only its article and section structure and the New Laws panel were read
  • ASK THE CITY which applies before filing

Required documents

  • RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationNOT ESTABLISHED. Confirm with the City of Longview, and with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, who is issuing electrical permits following Ord. 3577.

Fee schedule

Fee typeAmountNotes
Electrical permitAsk the city — chapter repeal pending
No electrical fee is asserted. LMC Chapter 16.24 remains published with a Plan Review article, while Ord. Show full citation

No electrical fee is asserted. LMC Chapter 16.24 remains published with a Plan Review article, while Ord. 3577 (adopted 2026-04-09) is listed as repealing that chapter and is not yet reflected in the codified text. Where the fee lands depends on which of the two governs, which this entry does not determine.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.

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 Longview building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Permalink: /washington/cowlitz-county/longview/as-of/2026-09-16/

Snapshot date: 2026-09-16

Commit: 0f10392

Reproducible from PermitBase’s version-controlled dataset, commit 0f10392.