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Yakima building permits

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

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Codes adopted

THE 2021 WASHINGTON STATE BUILDING CODE, NAMED. YMC 11.04.010: "The city of Yakima hereby adopts the 2021 Washington State Building Code, including Sections 101 through 111 of Appendix E (Supplementary Accessibility Requirements), Appendix G and Appendix J, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted and maintained by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC".THE 2021 RESIDENTIAL CODE, WITH TINY HOMES. YMC 11.22.010: "The city of Yakima hereby adopts the 2021 Washington State Residential Code, including Appendix Q (Tiny Homes), as published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted and maintained by the State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC". Camas also specifically adopts Appendix Q; most cities in this guide do not.THE CODE PINS ITS OWN VOCABULARY. Both adoptions add that any reference to "the International Building Code, the building code, the Washington State Building Code, or this code" means the 2021 edition "as referred to herein" - so a stray reference elsewhere in the title cannot quietly mean a different edition.Title 11 also carries separate chapters for Energy (11.05), Mobile Homes (11.06), Signs (11.08), Existing Building (11.12), Electrical (11.16), Fuel Gas (11.18), Mechanical (11.32), Property Maintenance (11.40), Plumbing (11.44), Chronic Nuisance Properties (11.45) and Control of Moved Buildings (11.50). NONE OF THOSE WERE READ FOR THIS ENTRY.RCW 19.27 - the Washington State Building Code applies statewide.

Permit types & fees

Building Permit

Required for construction in Yakima. The city adopts the 2021 Washington State Building Code by name and amends the residential exempt-work list generously.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

Built to the 2021 Washington State Building Code, including Appendix E Sections 101-111, Appendix G and Appendix J
Residential work is to the 2021 Washington State Residential Code including Appendix Q (Tiny Homes)
Design to the city's own Table R301.2(1) - and check your site elevation against the 1,166 foot line before fixing a snow load

Required documents

RequiredPermit applicationPermit application as required by the City of Yakima division of code administration.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building permit fee	Not stated in this guide - see notes	YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. Show full citationHide YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. YMC 11.04.030 provides that "The city council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of permit fees required under this chapter which shall include a schedule of fees and a building valuation" - so both the fee schedule AND the valuation basis it is computed from sit in a council resolution outside the code, the same arrangement Lynden uses. Ask the city for the current resolution.

Fence

Yakima exempts fences up to seven feet from a building permit - a higher threshold than neighbouring cities in this guide.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

No building permit for a fence not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high
Zoning rules on height, placement and sight triangles can still apply

Required documents

RequiredPermit applicationPermit application as required by the City of Yakima division of code administration.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building permit fee	Not stated in this guide - see notes	YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. Show full citationHide YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. YMC 11.04.030 provides that "The city council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of permit fees required under this chapter which shall include a schedule of fees and a building valuation" - so both the fee schedule AND the valuation basis it is computed from sit in a council resolution outside the code, the same arrangement Lynden uses. Ask the city for the current resolution.

Shed or Detached Accessory Structure

Yakima exempts detached non-habitable accessory structures up to 200 square feet.

Reviewed 2026-09-16 · Source

Requirements

One story, DETACHED, and NON-HABITABLE
Used as a tool or storage shed, play house or similar use
Floor area not exceeding 200 square feet
Zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply

Required documents

RequiredPermit applicationPermit application as required by the City of Yakima division of code administration.

Fee schedule

Fee type	Amount	Notes
Building permit fee	Not stated in this guide - see notes	YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. Show full citationHide YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. YMC 11.04.030 provides that "The city council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of permit fees required under this chapter which shall include a schedule of fees and a building valuation" - so both the fee schedule AND the valuation basis it is computed from sit in a council resolution outside the code, the same arrangement Lynden uses. Ask the city for the current resolution.

Verify a Contractor Licence

Washington contractors register with the Department of Labor & Industries. Registration is a STATE record; Yakima 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
Building permit fee	Not stated in this guide - see notes	YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. Show full citationHide YAKIMA'S PERMIT FEE AMOUNTS ARE NOT IN ITS CODE. YMC 11.04.030 provides that "The city council shall adopt by resolution a schedule of permit fees required under this chapter which shall include a schedule of fees and a building valuation" - so both the fee schedule AND the valuation basis it is computed from sit in a council resolution outside the code, the same arrangement Lynden uses. Ask the city for the current resolution.

Sources & verification

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

City of Yakima - Division of Code Administration — official building department

Codes & ordinances

Department & other records

City of Yakima

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

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