County Building Permits
Chelan County, WA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chelan County, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Washington Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
All properties in unincorporated Chelan County, outside incorporated city limits.
- Department
- Chelan County Community Development Department
- Address
- 316 Washington St, Suite 301, Wenatchee, WA 98801
- Phone
- (509) 667-6225
Application Process
- Contact Chelan County Community Development at (509) 667-6225 to discuss your project and determine applicable permits
- Determine if property is in a Critical Areas Overlay District (geologically hazardous areas, wetlands, fish/wildlife habitat, critical aquifer recharge areas, or frequently flooded areas)
- If property is in an affected water mitigation basin (Entiat Basin WRIA 46, Lake Chelan Basin WRIA 47, or Wenatchee Basin subbasins), gather evidence of water supply adequacy or arrange mitigation credit purchase
- Prepare completed application forms
- Prepare site plans and building plans
- Submit application and supporting documents to Chelan County Community Development
- Pay applicable fees
- County processes application and conducts plan review
- Obtain permit upon approval
Typical processing time: Varies by project type and complexity.
General Requirements
Building permits required for most construction projects in unincorporated Chelan County.
Required Documents
- Completed application forms
- Site plans
- Building plans
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments; Washington State Energy Code, as adopted by Washington State Building Code Council
Fees
- Plan check fee
- 65% of building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Based on International Code Council Building Valuation Data Sheet. Building official's determination of valuation is final. Plan Review Fees: 65% of building permit fee, paid at time of submitting submittal documents.
- Reinspection fee
- $150 (after two inspections, based on two hours)
- Penalty (no permit)
- Doubled (twice the applicable fee) for work started without required permits, stop work orders, or code enforcement action
- Payment note
- Inspections with no specific fee: $75/hour (minimum 1 hour). Additional plan review for changes/additions/revisions: $75/hour (minimum 2 hours). Outside consultants for plan checking/inspections: Actual costs.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 square feet
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge)
- Water tanks supported directly on grade (capacity limitations apply)
- Sidewalks and driveways
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
- Prefabricated swimming pools (less than 24 inches deep)
- Swings and other playground equipment
Important: Work exempt per Section 105 of IRC/IBC. Even when permits are not required, work must comply with applicable codes and zoning regulations. Contact Chelan County Community Development at (509) 667-6225 to confirm specific exemptions.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (509) 667-6225 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact Chelan County Community Development to schedule inspections.
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/Footings, Framing, Plumbing rough-in, Mechanical rough-in, Electrical rough-in (L&I), Insulation, Final inspection. Inspection rights include review of all applicable county permits, comparison of actual work with approved methods, and recording of violations.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments; Washington State Energy Code, as adopted by Washington State Building Code Council
- Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
- Chelan County Assessor
- Chelan County Code
- Chelan-Douglas Health District
- License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Chelan County Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chelan County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- Building permits required for most construction projects in unincorporated Chelan County.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- Fees are calculated as: Based on International Code Council Building Valuation Data Sheet. Building official's determination of valuation is final. Plan Review Fees: 65% of building permit fee, paid at time of submitting submittal documents.. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- 1. Contact Chelan County Community Development at (509) 667-6225 to discuss your project and determine applicable permits 2. Determine if property is in a Critical Areas Overlay District (geologically hazardous areas, wetlands, fish/wildlife habitat, critical aquifer recharge areas, or frequently flooded areas) 3. If property is in an affected water mitigation basin (Entiat Basin WRIA 46, Lake Chelan Basin WRIA 47, or Wenatchee Basin subbasins), gather evidence of water supply adequacy or arrange mitigation credit purchase 4. Prepare completed application forms 5. Prepare site plans and building plans 6. Submit application and supporting documents to Chelan County Community Development 7. Pay applicable fees 8. County processes application and conducts plan review 9. Obtain permit upon approval
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- Typical processing time is Varies by project type and complexity..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge); Water tanks supported directly on grade (capacity limitations apply); Sidewalks and driveways; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops; Prefabricated swimming pools (less than 24 inches deep); Swings and other playground equipment. Note: Work exempt per Section 105 of IRC/IBC. Even when permits are not required, work must comply with applicable codes and zoning regulations. Contact Chelan County Community Development at (509) 667-6225 to confirm specific exemptions.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Chelan County, WA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (509) 667-6225. Contact Chelan County Community Development to schedule inspections..
Need help with your project?
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.