Leavenworth, WA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Community Development Department, Building Division

Street address

700 Highway 2, Post Office Box 287, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Phone

(509) 548-5275

building@cityofleavenworth.com

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Leavenworth. For properties outside city limits or within the Urban Growth Area (UGA), contact Chelan County Community Development.

Online portal

City of Leavenworth Online Permit Portal

Online Permit Portal

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Leavenworth

Building permits required for most construction projects within the City of Leavenworth.

Note: Most construction projects require a permit unless specifically exempted by Section 105 of the International Residential Code or International Building Code. Zoning regulations apply regardless of permit exemption.

Required documents

Completed Building Permit Application
Site plan drawn to scale using Site Plan Checklist
Building plans including floor plans, elevation profiles, footing and foundation plans, cross sections, framing details, mechanical and plumbing plans
Engineering calculations
WA State Residential Energy Code Compliance Worksheets
Water Connection Application (if applicable)
Sewer Connection Application (if applicable)
Driveway Permit Application (if applicable)
Stormwater plan (if applicable)
Utility Plan (water, sewer, stormwater)

Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 2024), as listed in LMC 15.04
Permit validity: Work must begin and be inspected within 180 days of permit issuance to keep permit active.
Owner-builder: Owner-builder work shall NOT be performed for purpose of leasing or selling.
Contractor requirements: Contractor must be licensed by State and City when construction is done by someone other than owner.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Initial plan check typically 2-4 weeks; resubmittals add additional time depending on scope of corrections.

01

Pre-submittal consultation recommended: Contact building@cityofleavenworth.com to review your project and identify required permits
02

Ensure all buildings have assigned addresses; contact City if a new address is needed
03

Create an account on the online permit portal at www.cityofleavenworth.com and click 'Permit Portal'
04

Select 'View Permits, or Submit a Permit for Review' and choose Community Development
05

Click 'SIGN IN / REGISTER' to create an account or sign in; new users must register first
06

Scroll to 'APPLY ONLINE' and select 'Click to Apply Online'
07

Agree to terms and conditions and select permit type
08

Prepare and upload all required documents: Site Plan (using checklist), Building Plans, Engineering Calculations, WA State Energy Code Compliance Forms, and any necessary reports (stormwater plan, geo assessment, wetland delineation)
09

Submit application with permit deposit (dollar amount provided by City)
10

City staff reviews completeness and routes for plan review
11

Respond to correction comments and upload revised documents
12

Pay all remaining fees upon permit issuance before starting work

Typical processing time: Initial plan check typically 2-4 weeks; resubmittals add additional time depending on scope of corrections.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Leavenworth building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Plan check fee

Included in final fee at permit issuance; deposit system used

Permit fee formula

Permit deposit required at submittal (dollar amount provided by City). Final fee calculated and due at time of permit issuance. Applicant agrees to pay all applicable fees regardless of whether permit is issued, picked up, or withdrawn.

Pass-through fees for outside consultants may apply. Staff time may be billed including reviewing plans, routing, site visits, and consultations.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(509) 548-5275 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Inspections must be requested at least one day prior, before 4:00 PM.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday (hours to be confirmed with Community Development)

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/Footings, Framing, Plumbing rough-in, Mechanical rough-in, Electrical rough-in (L&I), Insulation, Final inspection. All permit-related documents available through online permit portal. Projects not receiving all required inspections will not receive final sign-off or Certificate of Occupancy.

Source: Community Development Department, Building Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Leavenworth permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Leavenworth, WA? ▸

Building permits required for most construction projects within the City of Leavenworth.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Leavenworth, WA? ▸

Building permit fees in Leavenworth, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Permit deposit required at submittal (dollar amount provided by City). Final fee calculated and due at time of permit issuance. Applicant agrees to pay all applicable fees regardless of whether permit is issued, picked up, or withdrawn.. Plan check fee: Included in final fee at permit issuance; deposit system used.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Leavenworth, WA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Leavenworth, WA, follow these steps: 1. Pre-submittal consultation recommended: Contact building@cityofleavenworth.com to review your project and identify required permits 2. Ensure all buildings have assigned addresses; contact City if a new address is needed 3. Create an account on the online permit portal at www.cityofleavenworth.com and click 'Permit Portal' 4. Select 'View Permits, or Submit a Permit for Review' and choose Community Development 5. Click 'SIGN IN / REGISTER' to create an account or sign in; new users must register first 6. Scroll to 'APPLY ONLINE' and select 'Click to Apply Online' 7. Agree to terms and conditions and select permit type 8. Prepare and upload all required documents: Site Plan (using checklist), Building Plans, Engineering Calculations, WA State Energy Code Compliance Forms, and any necessary reports (stormwater plan, geo assessment, wetland delineation) 9. Submit application with permit deposit (dollar amount provided by City) 10. City staff reviews completeness and routes for plan review 11. Respond to correction comments and upload revised documents 12. Pay all remaining fees upon permit issuance before starting work

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Leavenworth, WA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Leavenworth, WA typically run Initial plan check typically 2-4 weeks; resubmittals add additional time depending on scope of corrections.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Leavenworth, WA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Leavenworth, WA via: (509) 548-5275. Inspections must be requested at least one day prior, before 4:00 PM..

last verified April 2026 source Community Development Department, Building Division ↗ entry id permits/washington/chelan/leavenworth

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Leavenworth

Other jurisdictions in Chelan County.