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Burien building permits

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

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Codes adopted

THE 2021 IBC, NAMED, WITH THREE APPENDICES AND THE ACCESSIBILITY STANDARD. BMC 15.10.060: "The 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC), as published by the International Code Council, Inc., and as adopted by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC, and including Appendix Chapter E (Supplementary Accessibility Requirements), ICC A117.1 2017 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities), Appendix Chapter H (Signs), and Appendix Chapter J (Grading) excluding Chapter 1, Administration, is adopted by reference".ADMINISTRATION IS THE CITY'S OWN. "The Construction Administrative Code, as provided in Chapter 15.05 BMC, shall be used in place of IBC Chapter 1, Administration." So permits, inspections and fees are governed by a Burien chapter rather than by the model code.THE CHAPTER NAMES ITSELF. BMC 15.10.010: "This chapter is known as and may be referred to as the “city of Burien building and construction code” and may be cited as such."GREENHOUSES ARE CARVED OUT, IN WORDS SHARED WITH ANOTHER CITY. "The provisions of this code do not apply to temporary growing structures used solely for the commercial production of horticultural plants", defined as covered with "polyethylene, polyvinyl, or similar flexible synthetic material". Sammamish carries the same carve-out in the same words; the two are not neighbours, so this is shared drafting rather than a local quirk. This entry does not claim to know its source.RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.

Permit types & fees

Building Permit

Required for construction in Burien. The city adopts the 2021 IBC, runs administration through its own Construction Administrative Code, and imposes aircraft noise envelope requirements near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

Built to the 2021 IBC with Appendix Chapters E, H and J, and ICC A117.1 2017
IBC Chapter 1 is replaced by BMC Chapter 15.05, the Construction Administrative Code
If the site is in a Sea-Tac noise reduction area, BMC 15.12 envelope criteria apply
Construction noise is prohibited 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. weekdays and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. weekends

Required documents

RequiredPermit application and plansAdministered under BMC Chapter 15.05, the Construction Administrative Code, which stands in place of IBC Chapter 1.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee (set in the Construction Administrative Code)	Not stated in this guide - see notes	NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Burien replaces IBC Chapter 1 with its own Construction Administrative Code at BMC Chapter 15.05 - "The Construction Administrative Code, as provided in Chapter… Show full citationHide NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Burien replaces IBC Chapter 1 with its own Construction Administrative Code at BMC Chapter 15.05 - "The Construction Administrative Code, as provided in Chapter 15.05 BMC, shall be used in place of IBC Chapter 1, Administration." - and that chapter, which is where permits, inspections and fees live, was NOT opened for this entry. A figure is declined rather than invented, and the reader is pointed at the chapter that holds it. WHAT THIS ENTRY CAN TELL YOU ABOUT COST IS NOT A FEE AT ALL: if the site is inside a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise reduction area, the envelope requirements in BMC 15.12 drive materially more expensive wall, window, door and roof assemblies and force a mechanical ventilation system. That will dwarf the permit fee.

Verify a Contractor Licence

Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration is a STATE record; Burien 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
Permit fee (set in the Construction Administrative Code)	Not stated in this guide - see notes	NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Burien replaces IBC Chapter 1 with its own Construction Administrative Code at BMC Chapter 15.05 - "The Construction Administrative Code, as provided in Chapter… Show full citationHide NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Burien replaces IBC Chapter 1 with its own Construction Administrative Code at BMC Chapter 15.05 - "The Construction Administrative Code, as provided in Chapter 15.05 BMC, shall be used in place of IBC Chapter 1, Administration." - and that chapter, which is where permits, inspections and fees live, was NOT opened for this entry. A figure is declined rather than invented, and the reader is pointed at the chapter that holds it. WHAT THIS ENTRY CAN TELL YOU ABOUT COST IS NOT A FEE AT ALL: if the site is inside a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport noise reduction area, the envelope requirements in BMC 15.12 drive materially more expensive wall, window, door and roof assemblies and force a mechanical ventilation system. That will dwarf the permit fee.

Sources & verification

Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.

City of Burien — official building department

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

City of Burien

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

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