You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-16.

Olympia building permits

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

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Codes adopted

NO EDITION YEAR IS NAMED - OLYMPIA FOLLOWS WHATEVER THE STATE HAS ADOPTED. OMC 16.04.020: "The current State adopted edition of the International Building Code, (“IBC”), as adopted by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC ... as published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), including ICC A117.1-2017 “Accessible and usable buildings and facilities”". The accessibility standard is the only thing carrying a year.THE CHAPTER NAMES ITSELF. OMC 16.04.010: "This Chapter shall be known as the “Building Code,” may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” The codes adopted in this Chapter shall be collectively the “Building Code.”"THE ADOPTION IS MADE UNDER THE STATE STATUTE. "Pursuant to RCW 19.27.031, the City of Olympia hereby adopts the following codes, as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, and as thereafter amended by the City of Olympia".FOUR SPECIFIC PIECES OF IBC CHAPTER 1 ARE CUT OUT, AND ONE OF THEM IS ODDLY SPECIFIC: "excluding Chapter 1, Section 101.4.3 “Plumbing”; excluding Chapter 1, Section 105.2 “work exempt from permit”, item 3, “Oil Derricks”; excluding Chapter 1, Section 110.3.5 “Exception”; excluding Chapter 1, Section 113, Board of Appeals".THE RESIDENTIAL APPENDICES ADOPTED ARE UNUSUALLY BROAD: "Appendix F Passive Radon Gas Controls", "Appendix Q, Tiny Houses", "Appendix T, Solar-Ready Provisions-Detached One-and Two-Family Dwellings, Multiple Single-Family Dwellings (Townhouses)" and "Appendix U, Dwelling Unit Fire Sprinkler Systems". IRC Chapter 1 Section R112, Chapter 11 and Chapters 25 through 43 are excluded, "except that Chapter 29, Section P2904 is adopted".The International Mechanical Code is adopted the same way - "The current State adopted edition" under Chapter 51-52 WAC, excluding Chapter 1, Section 109, Means of Appeals.RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.

Permit types & fees

Building Permit

Required for construction in Olympia. The city adopts the current state edition rather than a named year, requires residential fire sprinklers with five exceptions, and prices a renewal on the work left to do.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

Built to the CURRENT State adopted edition of the IBC and IRC, per Chapters 51-50 and 51-51 WAC
ICC A117.1-2017 accessibility standard is adopted by name
IRC Appendices F, Q, T and U are adopted; Chapter 29 Section P2904 is adopted
Residential fire sprinklers required to protect all areas of a dwelling unit, with five named exceptions
Permits expire after 180 days of inactivity, and after eighteen months regardless

Required documents

RequiredPermit application and plansAdministered under the adopted codes' Chapter 1 as amended by OMC 16.04.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Permit fee (not set in the building title)	Not stated in this guide - see notes	NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Chapter 16.04 provides for "the issuance of permits and collection of fees" without setting them, and OMC Title 15 is a whole separate title called IMPACT FEES… Show full citationHide NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Chapter 16.04 provides for "the issuance of permits and collection of fees" without setting them, and OMC Title 15 is a whole separate title called IMPACT FEES which was NOT opened for this entry - so a figure is declined rather than invented, and the reader is pointed at the title most likely to carry it. WHAT THE CHAPTER DOES FIX IS THE RENEWAL RULE, AND IT IS UNUSUAL: where a permit has expired, a new one must be obtained and "the fee therefor paid based on the work left to complete the project" - a renewal priced on the PERCENTAGE OF INCOMPLETE WORK rather than a flat charge, so the later you let it lapse the less the replacement costs. That is the opposite of the intuition most owners bring.

Verify a Contractor Licence

Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration is a STATE record; Olympia 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 (not set in the building title)	Not stated in this guide - see notes	NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Chapter 16.04 provides for "the issuance of permits and collection of fees" without setting them, and OMC Title 15 is a whole separate title called IMPACT FEES… Show full citationHide NO FEE AMOUNT IS STATED IN THIS ENTRY. Chapter 16.04 provides for "the issuance of permits and collection of fees" without setting them, and OMC Title 15 is a whole separate title called IMPACT FEES which was NOT opened for this entry - so a figure is declined rather than invented, and the reader is pointed at the title most likely to carry it. WHAT THE CHAPTER DOES FIX IS THE RENEWAL RULE, AND IT IS UNUSUAL: where a permit has expired, a new one must be obtained and "the fee therefor paid based on the work left to complete the project" - a renewal priced on the PERCENTAGE OF INCOMPLETE WORK rather than a flat charge, so the later you let it lapse the less the replacement costs. That is the opposite of the intuition most owners bring.

Sources & verification

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

City of Olympia — official building department

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

View current record →All versions →