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Puyallup building permits

Verified

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

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Codes adopted

NO EDITION YEAR IS NAMED FOR ANY STATE-ADOPTED CODE. PMC 17.04.030 opens: “The city of Puyallup hereby adopts the following codes by reference, which are incorporated herein, as they currently exist or are hereafter amended:” and then names each code only as “the current edition”.IBC — “The current edition of the International Building Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC.” Only one appendix is taken: “Appendix E: Supplementary Accessibility Requirements.”, “specifically adopted in its entirety”.IRC — “The current edition of the International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC.”IMC — “The current edition of the International Mechanical Code … as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-52 WAC, except that the standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be NFPA 58 (Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases) and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code).”IFGC — “The current edition of the International Fuel Gas Code published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-52 WAC.”UPC — “Except as provided in RCW 19.27.170, the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC.”WASHINGTON STATE ENERGY CODE — “The current edition of the Washington State Energy Code, as adopted by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-11 WAC.”NEC — “The current edition of the National Electric Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries in Chapter 296-46B WAC, and Chapter 19.28 RCW.”ACCESSIBILITY — “The rules adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council establishing standards for making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by the physically disabled or elderly persons as provided in RCW 70.92.100 through 70.92.160, as they now exist or are hereafter amended.”THE ONE NAMED EDITION IN THE CHAPTER IS THE ONE CODE THE STATE DOES NOT ADOPT. “The 2012 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code published by the International Code Council, Inc., effective July 1, 2013, and any subsequent editions published by the International Code Council, Inc., effective July 1st of the following calendar year.” That single sentence carries a real edition year (2012), an effective date (July 1, 2013) and a recurring rule (“July 1st of the following calendar year”) — three different temporal things.REPEALED, NOT ADOPTED: PMC Chapter 17.24 appears in the Title 17 contents as “UNIFORM HOUSING CODE” with no sections. Opening it resolves the question — the chapter body reads “(Repealed by Ord. 2370)”. Puyallup does not adopt the Uniform Housing Code.

Permit types & fees

Residential Building Permit (New Construction)

Verified

Required for new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in Puyallup, reviewed under whichever edition of the International Residential Code the Washington State Building Code Council currently adopts in Chapter 51-51 WAC.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

Reviewed under “the current edition of the International Residential Code … as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC” (PMC 17.04.030) — the city names no edition year
IRC Section R104 is amended to add R104.12, under which the building official has no duty to verify or establish lot lines or setback lines
Fire sprinklers are NOT triggered by house size: PMC 17.36.020 excepts “a building that has three or less dwelling units”
Applications expire 180 days after the city determines the application COMPLETE, extendable in 90-day periods for good cause (PMC 17.04.120(1))
Permits expire if work is not commenced within 180 days, if work stops for 180 days, or two years after issuance regardless of progress (PMC 17.04.120(2))

Required documents

RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFiled with the city under PMC Chapter 17.04. The 180-day application clock does not start until the city determines the application is complete.
RequiredConstruction PlansPMC 17.04.090 governs construction plans; the section was not opened for this entry, so its specific contents are not asserted here.
RequiredSite Plan Establishing Lot Lines and SetbacksPractically essential rather than code-listed: because PMC 17.04.040(2) and 17.04.050(1) disclaim any city duty to verify lot lines or setback lines, the burden of siting the structure correctly rests entirely with the applicant.
OptionalContractor RegistrationPMC 17.04.110 covers contractor registration. The section was not opened for this entry; confirm requirements with the city.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.
Fee waiver (low-income nonprofit)	May be waived: low-income nonprofit	PMC 17.04.080(2): building permit fees for construction, alteration and repairs of single-family or duplex dwellings MAY be waived when ALL of three conditions apply — the structure “is intended for… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(2): building permit fees for construction, alteration and repairs of single-family or duplex dwellings MAY be waived when ALL of three conditions apply — the structure “is intended for low-income families”, the construction “involves some volunteer labor”, and the builder is “an organization classified as a 501(c) nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service.”
Reissue after expiry	Reissue after expiry: half original fee	PMC 17.04.120(2): after expiry the city may issue a new permit for the unfinished work on a showing of good cause and payment of “half of the original permit or approval fee”.

Commercial Building Permit

Verified

Required for commercial construction, alterations and additions in Puyallup, reviewed under whichever edition of the International Building Code the Washington State Building Code Council currently adopts in Chapter 51-50 WAC.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

“The current edition of the International Building Code … as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC” (PMC 17.04.030); no edition year is named
Only one appendix is adopted — “Appendix E: Supplementary Accessibility Requirements”, taken in its entirety
The code is locally retitled “the Building Code of the City of Puyallup, Washington” (IBC 101.1 as amended)
IBC 113.3 (“Qualifications”) is deleted from the Board of Appeals provisions
Automatic sprinklers are required above 10,000 sq ft gross floor area, 40 feet in height, or four stories (PMC 17.36.020)

Required documents

RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationFiled under PMC Chapter 17.04; the 180-day application clock starts on the city's completeness determination.
RequiredConstruction PlansPMC 17.04.090 governs construction plans and PMC 17.04.100 governs professional services; neither section was opened for this entry.
OptionalFire Sprinkler Plans (NFPA 13 or 13R)Required where the building exceeds 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, reaches 40 feet in height, or has four or more stories. “Floor area” is defined locally at PMC 17.36.025.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.
Reissue after expiry	Reissue after expiry: half original fee	PMC 17.04.120(2): a new permit for the unfinished work on a showing of good cause and payment of “half of the original permit or approval fee”. A materially changed law may apply to the new permit.

Mechanical Permit

Verified

Required for mechanical and fuel gas work in Puyallup, under the current editions of the International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

“The current edition of the International Mechanical Code … in Chapter 51-52 WAC” (PMC 17.04.030)
Liquefied petroleum gas is carved out: the standards “shall be NFPA 58 … and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code)”
The International Fuel Gas Code is separately adopted, also through Chapter 51-52 WAC
No edition year is named for either code

Required documents

RequiredMechanical Permit ApplicationFiled with the city under PMC Chapter 17.04.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.

Plumbing Permit

Verified

Required for plumbing work in Puyallup, under the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code — not the International Plumbing Code — as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

“Except as provided in RCW 19.27.170, the current edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Plumbing Code Standards, published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapters 51-56 and 51-57 WAC” (PMC 17.04.030)
TWO WAC chapters are cited, 51-56 and 51-57 — the code and its standards are adopted separately
No edition year is named

Required documents

RequiredPlumbing Permit ApplicationFiled with the city under PMC Chapter 17.04.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.

Electrical Permit

Verified

Electrical work in Puyallup follows the National Electrical Code as adopted by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

“The current edition of the National Electric Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association, as adopted by the Department of Labor and Industries in Chapter 296-46B WAC, and Chapter 19.28 RCW” (PMC 17.04.030)
The adopting authority is L&I rather than the State Building Code Council, unlike every other code in the section
No edition year is named

Required documents

RequiredElectrical Permit ApplicationConfirm with the city or with L&I which body issues for your project — PMC 17.04.030 sets the standard by reference to L&I's rule rather than establishing a city edition.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.

Automatic Fire-Extinguishing System Permit

Verified

Required for automatic sprinkler and fire-extinguishing systems in Puyallup under PMC Chapter 17.36, which sets local installation thresholds on top of the adopted codes.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

Required above 10,000 sq ft gross floor area, 40 or more feet in height, or four or more stories, “with the exception of a building that has three or less dwelling units” (PMC 17.36.020)
Systems are designed, installed and tested per NFPA 13 or 13R (residential occupancies), “currently adopted edition”
PMC 17.36.030 adds a separate requirement for new structures where hazardous conditions exist — NOT opened for this entry
PMC 17.36.070 governs issuance of the automatic fire-extinguishing system permit — NOT opened for this entry
An alarm substitution is available under PMC 17.36.080 for Type I or Type II construction with low life-safety threat

Required documents

RequiredSprinkler System PlansDesigned, installed and tested per NFPA 13 or 13R, currently adopted edition (PMC 17.36.020).
OptionalAlarm Monitoring ArrangementWhere the PMC 17.36.080 substitution is used, the fire alarm system “shall have an approved supervised alarm system that terminates at an off-premises, approved, monitored agency.”

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee	Set by city manager executive order	PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of… Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(1): “All fees and charges for permits, approvals, inspections or other services or items related to this title shall be established and amended from time to time by executive order of the city manager.” The code therefore publishes no dollar amount and none is asserted here. NOTE THE AUTHORITY: Puyallup sets fees by EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE CITY MANAGER, where most Washington cities in this set use a city council resolution. Ask Development Services for the current executive order.
Refund if withdrawn	Up to 80% refunded if no work is done	PMC 17.04.080(3)(b)-(c): up to 80 percent of the permit fee “when no work had been performed”, and up to 80 percent of the plan review fee when an application is withdrawn or cancelled before any plan review. Written application required within 180 days of payment.
Refund if charged in error	100% refunded if paid in error	PMC 17.04.080(3)(a): “One hundred percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected”. Still subject to the 180-day written-application deadline.
Work started before permit	Investigation fee if work starts early	PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. Show full citationHide PMC 17.04.080(4): where work has commenced without a permit the city may perform a special investigation and impose a fee “in an amount that compensates the city for performing the investigation”. It is payable “whether or not a permit or approval is subsequently issued.” No amount is published.

House Moving Permit

Verified

Moving a building into, out of or within Puyallup requires its own permit under PMC Chapter 17.13, with dedicated fee, bond and insurance provisions.

Verified 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

PMC 17.13.010 requires a permit; PMC 17.13.020 governs the application
PMC 17.13.025 is a dedicated Fees section for house moving, separate from the Chapter 17.04 fees
Bonds (PMC 17.13.030) and insurance (PMC 17.13.040) are required
PMC 17.13.050 covers utilities, landscaping and clean-up; PMC 17.13.070 makes the grantee bear expenses
THE INDIVIDUAL SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 17.13 WERE NOT OPENED for this entry — only the chapter's section list was read, so no term of the chapter is quoted here

Required documents

RequiredHouse Moving Permit ApplicationRequired by PMC 17.13.020. The section was not opened for this entry; confirm contents with the city.
RequiredBondRequired by PMC 17.13.030. Amount and conditions not established here.
RequiredCertificate of InsuranceRequired by PMC 17.13.040. Limits not established here.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
House moving permit	Set by city manager executive order	PMC Chapter 17.13 carries its own Fees section at 17.13.025, which was not opened for this entry. PMC 17.04.080(1) sets the general rule that fees under Title 17 are established by executive order of the city manager. No amount is published in the code.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-16.

City of Puyallup — official building department

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

City of Puyallup

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

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