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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Adams County
All construction work generally requires a permit, including: new homes, mobile home moves, repairs and additions, plumbing, re-roofing, window replacement, wood/pellet stove installations, and gas inserts.
One-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, up to 200 sq ft
Fences under 7 feet high (zoning review may still be required)
Decks not exceeding 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling
Oil derricks
Retaining walls under 4 feet high (not supporting surcharge or retaining liquids)
On-grade water tanks with capacity under 5,000 gallons
Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation, and similar finish work
Siding replacement on accessory structures
Temporary theatrical sets and scenery
Prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and under 5,000 gallons
Agricultural shade cloth structures
Playground equipment (swings, slides, etc.)
Window awnings on single-family residences with projection under 54 inches
Movable partitions under 5 feet 9 inches high
Small antennas (size restrictions vary by zone)
Window replacement on single-family homes maintaining structural integrity
- Exempt One-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, up to 200 sq ft
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet high (zoning review may still be required)
- Exempt Decks not exceeding 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high (not supporting surcharge or retaining liquids)
- Exempt On-grade water tanks with capacity under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation, and similar finish work
- Exempt Siding replacement on accessory structures
- Exempt Temporary theatrical sets and scenery
- Exempt Prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Agricultural shade cloth structures
- Exempt Playground equipment (swings, slides, etc.)
- Exempt Window awnings on single-family residences with projection under 54 inches
- Exempt Movable partitions under 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Small antennas (size restrictions vary by zone)
- Exempt Window replacement on single-family homes maintaining structural integrity
Note: Even permit-exempt work may be subject to zoning review. Call (509) 488-9441 to confirm exemptions for your specific project. Agricultural structures (particularly shade cloth) are explicitly permit-exempt, but non-agricultural construction on farm parcels may trigger both building and land use review.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site plan drawn to scale
- Complete construction drawings (incomplete drawings may result in denial)
- Energy code compliance forms — WSEC-R (residential: single-family, duplex, townhouses, certain multifamily) with Code Compliance Calculator (C3); WSEC-C (commercial)
- Agent authorization form if submitting on behalf of property owner
- Design criteria documentation
- Building code
- 2021 Washington State Building Codes (including the state Energy Code, effective March 15, 2024)
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must hold valid Washington State Department of Labor & Industries registration before commencing work.
Source: Adams County Building and Planning — Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 3-4 weeks for plan review; varies by project complexity and number of departments involved.
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Adams County or one of the three towns (Lind, Hatton, Washtucna).
- 02 Obtain the land parcel number from the Adams County Assessor's tax website or by calling (509) 488-9441.
- 03 Secure pre-application approvals as applicable: Planning Department (zoning confirmation and address assignment), Environmental Health (water supply and septic approval), Fire Marshal (fire access review), Public Works (road approach permit), WSDOT (if project involves access to a state highway), and town administration (if project is within Lind, Hatton, or Washtucna).
- 04 Prepare complete application package with all required documents.
- 05 Submit online via Cloudpermit or in person Monday–Friday during office hours.
- 06 Await plan review; multi-department projects may take 3–4 weeks.
- 07 Pay permit fees upon approval (per Master Fee Schedule).
- 08 Receive issued permit and permit packet; post permit on site.
- 09 Schedule required inspections through Cloudpermit.
- 10 Obtain final inspection approval and Certificate of Occupancy before occupancy.
Typical processing time: 3-4 weeks for plan review; varies by project complexity and number of departments involved.
Source: Adams County Building and Planning — Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025-2026
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Assessed separately per fee schedule
02
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees based on construction valuation (per Table 1-A). Includes plan review fees (assessed separately), residential and commercial plumbing/mechanical permit fees, fire suppression and alarm permit fees, grading permit fees, and SBCC surcharge per RCW 19.27.085.
Contact the Building Division at (509) 488-9441 or visit co.adams.wa.gov to obtain the current Master Fee Schedule document.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Cloudpermit portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (permits not accepted or issued after 4:00 PM)
Typical sequence: Typical residential inspection stages: (1) Footing/Foundation, (2) Framing, (3) Rough Plumbing, (4) Rough Mechanical, (5) Insulation, (6) Final. A 30-day extension for final inspection may be granted when only final work remains outstanding. Certificate of Occupancy required before any building is occupied; Building Official will not issue CO until approvals have been obtained from all applicable county departments and state/federal agencies. Address identification must be verified by the Building Department prior to final inspection.
Source: Adams County Building and Planning — Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Adams County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
All construction work generally requires a permit, including: new homes, mobile home moves, repairs and additions, plumbing, re-roofing, window replacement, wood/pellet stove installations, and gas inserts.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Adams County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees based on construction valuation (per Table 1-A). Includes plan review fees (assessed separately), residential and commercial plumbing/mechanical permit fees, fire suppression and alarm permit fees, grading permit fees, and SBCC surcharge per RCW 19.27.085.. Plan check fee: Assessed separately per fee schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, WA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Adams County or one of the three towns (Lind, Hatton, Washtucna). 2. Obtain the land parcel number from the Adams County Assessor's tax website or by calling (509) 488-9441. 3. Secure pre-application approvals as applicable: Planning Department (zoning confirmation and address assignment), Environmental Health (water supply and septic approval), Fire Marshal (fire access review), Public Works (road approach permit), WSDOT (if project involves access to a state highway), and town administration (if project is within Lind, Hatton, or Washtucna). 4. Prepare complete application package with all required documents. 5. Submit online via Cloudpermit or in person Monday–Friday during office hours. 6. Await plan review; multi-department projects may take 3–4 weeks. 7. Pay permit fees upon approval (per Master Fee Schedule). 8. Receive issued permit and permit packet; post permit on site. 9. Schedule required inspections through Cloudpermit. 10. Obtain final inspection approval and Certificate of Occupancy before occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Adams County, WA typically run 3-4 weeks for plan review; varies by project complexity and number of departments involved.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Adams County, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, up to 200 sq ft; Fences under 7 feet high (zoning review may still be required); Decks not exceeding 30 inches above grade and not attached to the dwelling; Oil derricks; Retaining walls under 4 feet high (not supporting surcharge or retaining liquids); On-grade water tanks with capacity under 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation, and similar finish work; Siding replacement on accessory structures; Temporary theatrical sets and scenery; Prefabricated above-ground pools under 24 inches deep and under 5,000 gallons; Agricultural shade cloth structures; Playground equipment (swings, slides, etc.); Window awnings on single-family residences with projection under 54 inches; Movable partitions under 5 feet 9 inches high; Small antennas (size restrictions vary by zone); Window replacement on single-family homes maintaining structural integrity. Note: Even permit-exempt work may be subject to zoning review. Call (509) 488-9441 to confirm exemptions for your specific project. Agricultural structures (particularly shade cloth) are explicitly permit-exempt, but non-agricultural construction on farm parcels may trigger both building and land use review. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Adams County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Adams County, WA via: Cloudpermit portal.
last verified April 2026
source Adams County Building and Planning — Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/adams/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Adams County Building and Planning — Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.