Building Permit — Sammamish, Washington · Requirements sheet
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source: https://sammamish.municipal.codes/SMC/16.20
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Building Permit in Sammamish, Washington
Required for construction in Sammamish. The city adopts the 2021 IBC and IRC as adopted by the State Building Code Council, supplies its own administrative code in place of Chapter 1, and publishes an ordered, binding inspection sequence.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
When you need this permit
- Built to the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC as adopted by the State Building Code Council
- IRC Appendix Q (Tiny Houses) IS adopted; IRC Chapters 1, 11 and 25 through 43 are excluded
- IBC Appendix E (Accessibility), ICC A117.1-2017 and Appendix H (Signs) are included
- Administration is governed by SMC Chapter 16.20, not by model-code Chapter 1
- Plan review is a separate and additional fee, payable when submittal documents are lodged
Required documents
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Fee schedule
SAMMAMISH DOES NOT PUBLISH ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THE CODE - THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE A FIGURE RATHER THAN INVENT ONE. Show full citationHide
SAMMAMISH DOES NOT PUBLISH ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THE CODE - THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE A FIGURE RATHER THAN INVENT ONE. SMC 16.20.340 directs the reader to "the fee schedule as established in the City of Sammamish fee resolution", which is a separate council instrument not read for this entry. WHAT THE CODE DOES FIX IS A FLOOR, AND IT IS AN UNUSUAL ONE: "In no case shall the building permit fee be less than the City's hourly inspection fee multiplied by the number of inspections expected to be performed for work authorized by the permit." The minimum is therefore tied to an expected inspection COUNT, not to a dollar amount - which matters here because the city publishes twelve required inspection stages. Plan review is a SEPARATE and ADDITIONAL fee (SMC 16.20.345), payable when submittal documents are lodged; the permit centre may take a deposit in lieu where the full amount is not yet known, applied against the total. Incomplete or changed submittals, and deferred submittal items, draw a further plan review fee. A reinspection fee may be assessed where work is not complete or previous corrections were not made (SMC 16.20.450).Review timeline
Inspection process
- 1
Temporary erosion and sediment control inspection
Made after all required silt fencing, construction fencing, straw bales, storm drain catch basin inserts (socks), entrance rocking and other required elements are in place, and prior to commencement of work (SMC 16.20.393).
- 2
Footing and foundation inspection
Made after poles or piers are set, trenches or basement areas are excavated, or excavations for footings are complete, any forms erected, and all required hold-down anchor bolts, hold-down straps and any required reinforcing steel are in place (SMC 16.20.395).
- 3
Concrete slab and under-floor inspection
Made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, slab insulation, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed (SMC 16.20.400).
- 4
Exterior wall sheathing inspection
Made after all wall framing is complete and strapping and nailing are properly installed, but prior to being covered (SMC 16.20.410).
- 5
Roof sheathing inspection
Made after all roof framing is complete. No roof coverings may be installed until the inspection is made and approved (SMC 16.20.415).
- 6
IMC/IPC/Gas/NEC/IFC rough-in inspection
Rough-in mechanical, gas piping, plumbing and fire suppression systems are inspected when the rough-in work is complete and, if required, under test (SMC 16.20.420).
- 7
Electrical rough-in inspection
Made after the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and all wiring and other components to be concealed are complete, and prior to covering (SMC 16.20.423).
- 8
Frame inspection
Made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete, and the rough electrical and plumbing are in place (SMC 16.20.425).
- 9
Flashing and exterior weather barrier inspection
Made after flashing and weather barrier materials have been installed, but prior to any of that work being covered (SMC 16.20.430).
- 10
Lath and gypsum board inspection
Made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board joints and fasteners are treated (SMC 16.20.435).
- 11
Energy efficiency inspection
Covers envelope items including wall insulation, to be made after exterior wall weather protection and all wall insulation and air vapor retarder, sheet or film materials are in place (SMC 16.20.445).
- 12
Final inspection
Made after all work required by the building permit is completed (SMC 16.20.465).
See the full Sammamish inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →
Tips
- Work cannot proceed past a stage until that inspection is approved - the sequence is enforceable under SMC 16.20.480
- The permit fee cannot fall below the hourly inspection rate times the expected number of inspections, and the city publishes twelve stages
- A deposit may be taken in lieu of the full plan review fee and applied against the total
- Changed or incomplete submittals, and deferred submittal items, draw an additional plan review fee
Frequently asked questions
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 Sammamish building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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