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PermitBase

Building Permit in Federal Way, Washington

Required for construction in Federal Way under FWRC Title 13. The city adopts the 2021 IBC by name, with accessibility provisions expressly beyond local amendment.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Built to the 2021 Edition of the International Building Code, with Appendices E and J
  • Accessibility is to IBC Chapter 11 and ICC A117.1-2017 and CANNOT be locally amended
  • Plumbing is to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
  • A private sewage disposal system needs King County Department of Health approval

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building permit fee
NO PERMIT AMOUNTS ARE STATED HERE FOR FEDERAL WAY. Show full citationNO PERMIT AMOUNTS ARE STATED HERE FOR FEDERAL WAY. The chapters read for this entry adopt the codes and set the appeal procedure; they do not carry a permit fee schedule, and no fee chapter was opened. WHAT THE CODE DOES SAY ABOUT FEES IS WORTH KNOWING: FWRC 13.11.084 requires "an appeal fee consistent with the fee schedule maintained by the city clerk" - so the schedule lives with the clerk, outside the code - and adds that "The appeal fee may be refunded to the appellant should the appellant prevail before the hearing examiner."
Not stated in this guide - see notes

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Building Permit permit actually take in Federal Way?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    Tips

    • A 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code is in force, and where it conflicts with other city regulations the more restrictive language applies
    • Appeals are 14 days from the building official's decision

    Frequently asked questions

    Federal Way requires a building permit for: Built to the 2021 Edition of the International Building Code, with Appendices E and J; Accessibility is to IBC Chapter 11 and ICC A117.1-2017 and CANNOT be locally amended; Plumbing is to the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code; A private sewage disposal system needs King County Department of Health approval. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Federal Way - Community Development at (253) 835-7000 before starting work.

    In Federal Way, the published Building permit fee is: Not stated in this guide - see notes. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Federal Way does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Federal Way - Community Development at (253) 835-7000 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Permit application as required by the City of Federal Way. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Federal Way - Community Development. Phone: (253) 835-7000. Official information: https://www.federalwaywa.gov/.

    The 2021 Edition of the International Building Code, adopted by reference under Chapter 19.27 RCW and Chapter 51-50 WAC, including Appendices E and J, with accessibility to ICC A117.1-2017. Unlike several Washington cities that adopt whatever edition is current, Federal Way names the year.

    No, and its code says so. FWRC 13.16.020 adopts the barrier-free accessibility requirements of IBC Chapter 11, ICC A117.1-2017 and Appendix E pursuant to Chapters 19.27 and 70.92 RCW and states they "shall not be amended by local government." This is the opposite of most of what varies between Washington cities.

    Sources & verification

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

    Codes & ordinances

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

    Federal Way's permit history isn't searchable here yet

    This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Federal Way yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

    Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Federal Way lands. Privacy.

    Other permits in Federal Way

    Appeal a Building Code DecisionVerify a Contractor Licence

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