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Shed or Detached Accessory Structure in Tukwila, Washington

Tukwila exempts the smallest detached accessory structures from a building permit, but all three conditions in the exemption have to be met.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Exempt only if one story, floor area not exceeding 120 square feet, and used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use
  • The structure must be "outside of and entirely separated, as prescribed by Code, from any existing building on the premises"
  • Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply even where a building permit does not

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building permit fee
TUKWILA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THE CODE SAYS SO. Show full citationTUKWILA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THE CODE SAYS SO. TMC 16.04.250(A) provides that "Permit and plan review fees applicable to all development permits shall be in accordance with the permit fee schedule adopted by resolution of the City Council." So no amount is printed here - the schedule is a Council resolution, published separately and changed separately. Ask the Permit Center for the current schedule. THREE FEE RULES ARE IN THE CODE AND DO APPLY: work begun before the necessary permits are obtained is "charged double the fee established in accordance with the permit fee schedule adopted by resolution of the City Council"; the Building Official may refund "not more than 80% of the permit fee when no work has been done under a permit"; and a re-inspection fee may be charged at an hourly rate where work was covered without inspection or was not ready.
Not stated in this guide - see notes

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Shed or Detached Accessory Structure permit actually take in Tukwila?

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

Inspection process

    Tips

    • Exceeding 120 square feet by any amount takes the structure out of the exemption
    • Attaching the shed to the house defeats the exemption even if it is small
    • Inspections scheduled online; the Permit Center states that requests made by 5 PM are scheduled for the next day
    • Work covered without inspection, or not ready at the time of inspection, may be charged a re-inspection fee at an hourly rate

    Frequently asked questions

    Tukwila requires a shed or detached accessory structure permit for: Exempt only if one story, floor area not exceeding 120 square feet, and used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use; The structure must be "outside of and entirely separated, as prescribed by Code, from any existing building on the premises"; Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply even where a building permit does not. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Tukwila - Permit Center at (206) 431-3670 before starting work.

    In Tukwila, 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.

    Tukwila does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Tukwila - Permit Center at (206) 431-3670 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Development permit application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through City of Tukwila - Permit Center at 6300 Southcenter Blvd., #100, Tukwila, WA 98188. Phone: (206) 431-3670, email: Permits@TukwilaWA.gov. Office hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Official information: https://www.tukwilawa.gov/departments/permit-center/.

    Tukwila, Washington has adopted: 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE AND 2021 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, both "with statewide amendments". TMC 16.04.020(A) adopts the model codes "Effective on the date established by the State Building Code Council... as numerated in Chapter 19.27 RCW".; THE ELECTRICAL CODE IS TWO YEARS NEWER THAN THE REST. TMC 16.04.020(A) lists the "2023 National Electrical Code with statewide amendments" alongside 2021 editions of the building, residential, mechanical, plumbing and energy codes. TMC 16.04.020(E) repeats it: "The 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) is adopted by reference as if fully set forth."; The full list at TMC 16.04.020(A) also carries ICC/ANSI A117.1-09 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, the 2021 International Mechanical Code, the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, the 2020 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code (NFPA 58), the 2021 National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) for LP gas only, the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, the 2021 Washington State Energy Code, the 2021 International Existing Building Code and the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.; RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.. Local amendments apply — see the Tukwila overview page for the full list.

    A one-story detached shed of 120 square feet or less, entirely separated from any existing building on the property, is exempt from a building permit under TMC 16.04.020. All three conditions must hold. Zoning rules still apply, so confirm setbacks with the Planning Division before you build.

    Sources & verification

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

    Codes & ordinances

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

    Tukwila's permit history isn't searchable here yet

    This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Tukwila 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.

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