Do I Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger in Washington?

EV charger installation permit requirements. Level 1 vs Level 2, panel capacity, and available rebates.

Level 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.

In Washington

WASHINGTON HAS ONE STATE BUILDING CODE IN FORCE EVERYWHERE, ADOPTED BY REFERENCE: "Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code which shall consist of the following model codes which are hereby adopted by reference:" IN ALL COUNTIES AND CITIES - the model codes named in that section are the code, without any act by your city. AND YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MAY CHANGE IT, BUT ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION: "The governing bodies of counties and cities may amend the codes enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council as they apply within their respective jurisdictions, but the amendments shall not result in a code that is less than the minimum performance standards and objectives contained in the state building code except as provided in subsection (2) of this section." NOT LESS THAN THE MINIMUM. So a local amendment may add to the state code and may not fall below it. That is the opposite arrangement from states that cap local rules at the model code, and it means a stricter local requirement in Washington is normal rather than suspect. FOR A HOUSE THERE IS A SECOND GATE, AND IT IS THE PART MOST READERS WOULD NEVER GUESS: "Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, no amendment to a code enumerated in RCW 19.27.031 as amended and adopted by the state building code council that affects single-family or multifamily residential buildings shall be effective unless the amendment is approved by the building code council under RCW 19.27.074 (1)(b)." SHALL BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF APPROVED BY THE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL. A local amendment touching single-family or multifamily residential buildings is not merely constrained - it does not take effect at all until a state council approves it. If you are told a local residential rule differs from the state code, that approval is the thing to ask about.

Level 1 vs Level 2

Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120V outlet and do not require a permit. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated 240V circuit (usually 40-50 amps) and always require an electrical permit. Level 2 is what most EV owners install for practical daily charging speeds.

Panel Capacity

A Level 2 EV charger draws 40A and requires a 50A breaker. Many older homes have 100A or 150A panels that may not have capacity. If your panel is full, you'll need a sub-panel or panel upgrade ($1,500-$3,000 additional). An electrician can do a load calculation to determine if your current panel can handle it.

Installation Location

Most home EV chargers are installed in the garage, near the electrical panel. Longer runs from the panel to the charger increase wire cost. Outdoor installations require a weatherproof-rated charger (NEMA 4 or 4X enclosure).

Rebates and Incentives

Many utilities offer rebates for residential EV charger installations. Federal tax credits may also apply. Check current programs with your utility before installation — rebates often require pre-approval and may have specific equipment requirements.

Level 2 chargers need an electrical permit ($40-$75). Fast approval, one inspection. Check for utility rebates first.

Permit fees by city in Washington

Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.

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Permit fees by city in Washington
	Permit fee	Source
Bonney Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Des Moines	Set by the City Manager or designeeVerified	Electrical permit →
Edmonds	Set by council resolution; not in codeVerified	Electrical Permit →
Issaquah	Not published in the code — ask cityVerified	Electrical Permit →
Kenmore	Set by adopted fee scheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Lake Stevens	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical Permit →
Longview	Ask the city — chapter repeal pendingVerified	Electrical Permit →
Lynnwood	Set by city council fee ordinanceVerified	Electrical Permit →
Maple Valley	Set by Development Fee ScheduleVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Mercer Island	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Moses Lake	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Mountlake Terrace	Set by annually adopted fee scheduleVerified	Electrical permit →
Pullman	Set by city council resolutionVerified	Electrical permit →
Puyallup	Set by city manager executive orderVerified	Electrical Permit →
Sammamish	See city page for the current Residential Building Permit fee	Residential Building Permit →
SeaTac	Set by City of SeaTac Fee ScheduleVerified	Electrical permit →
Seattle	See city page for the current Electrical Permit fee	Electrical Permit →
Tumwater	Set by city council resolutionVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
University Place	Not established; ask city or L&IVerified	Electrical Permit →
Walla Walla	From $30.00, tiered by valuationVerifiedvia Residential building permit	Residential building permit →
Wenatchee	Not published in code; ask the cityVerified	Electrical Permit →

See the national overview for this permit →