You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-16.
Lakewood building permits
Lakewood, Washington — as published 2026-09-16.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit
Required for construction in Lakewood. The city adopts the 2021 IBC and IRC under RCW 19.27.031 as the Lakewood Building Code, strips the IRC's administrative sections, and runs everything through IBC Chapter 1.
Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source
Requirements
- Built to the 2021 IBC (with Appendix Chapters E, G and J) and the 2021 IRC
- IRC Sections R103 through R114 and Chapters 11 and 25 through 43 are NOT adopted
- IRC Appendices F, Q and U ARE adopted
- Administration for all work comes from IBC Chapter 1 (LMC 15.05.040)
- Accessibility is adopted under both RCW 19.27 and RCW 70.92, including ICC A117.1-2017
Required documents
- RequiredPermit application and plansAdministered under Chapter 1 of the International Building Code, which supplies the administrative provisions for the whole Lakewood Building Code.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee (amount not published in the building chapter) | Not stated in LMC 15.05 - see notes | LAKEWOOD DOES NOT PRINT ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THIS CHAPTER AND THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE ONE. Show full citationHideLAKEWOOD DOES NOT PRINT ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THIS CHAPTER AND THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE ONE. What the code DOES fix are three things you can act on. FIRST, STARTING WORK EARLY COSTS YOU THE PERMIT FEE TWICE: IBC Section 109.4 as amended provides that "Any person who commences work on a building, structure, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a fee equal to the permit fee." - a charge equal to the permit, on top of the permit. SECOND, REFUNDS ARE PUBLISHED: Section 109.6 as amended allows "one hundred percent (100%) of any fee paid erroneously; up to eighty percent (80%) of the permit fee for a permit that is withdrawn, if no work has been done under the permit; and up to eighty percent (80%) of the plan review fee paid when an application is withdrawn prior to any plan review having been done." THIRD, THE REFUND CLOCK RUNS FROM PAYMENT AND IS EASY TO MISS: "No refund shall be authorized except on written application filed by the original applicant not later than one hundred eighty days after the date of the fee payment." Note that Shoreline publishes the same three-part refund rule with the same 180-day clock from payment and the same original-applicant restriction - two cities, one rule. |
Verify a Contractor Licence
Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration is a STATE record; Lakewood 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 (amount not published in the building chapter) | Not stated in LMC 15.05 - see notes | LAKEWOOD DOES NOT PRINT ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THIS CHAPTER AND THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE ONE. Show full citationHideLAKEWOOD DOES NOT PRINT ITS PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS IN THIS CHAPTER AND THIS ENTRY DECLINES TO STATE ONE. What the code DOES fix are three things you can act on. FIRST, STARTING WORK EARLY COSTS YOU THE PERMIT FEE TWICE: IBC Section 109.4 as amended provides that "Any person who commences work on a building, structure, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to a fee equal to the permit fee." - a charge equal to the permit, on top of the permit. SECOND, REFUNDS ARE PUBLISHED: Section 109.6 as amended allows "one hundred percent (100%) of any fee paid erroneously; up to eighty percent (80%) of the permit fee for a permit that is withdrawn, if no work has been done under the permit; and up to eighty percent (80%) of the plan review fee paid when an application is withdrawn prior to any plan review having been done." THIRD, THE REFUND CLOCK RUNS FROM PAYMENT AND IS EASY TO MISS: "No refund shall be authorized except on written application filed by the original applicant not later than one hundred eighty days after the date of the fee payment." Note that Shoreline publishes the same three-part refund rule with the same 180-day clock from payment and the same original-applicant restriction - two cities, one rule. |
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 Lakewood building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.