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§ WA Clark County
County building permits

Unincorporated Clark County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Clark County Community Development - Permit Center

Street address
Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98666
Phone
564-397-4078
Email
permitservices@clark.wa.gov
Coverage
All unincorporated properties outside city limits in Clark County.
Online portal
LMS Online Permit System
LMS Online
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Clark County

A building permit is required for all construction work in unincorporated Clark County.

One-story detached accessory buildings 200 sq ft or less (no plumbing/electrical/mechanical)
Minor repairs
Certain agricultural structures
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory buildings 200 sq ft or less (no plumbing/electrical/mechanical)
  • Exempt Minor repairs
  • Exempt Certain agricultural structures

Note: Contact Permit Center to verify specific exemptions. Tiny homes/ADUs may be permitted as primary dwelling or guest house; hardship affidavit available for circumstantial permits (annual renewal required).

Required documents
  • Site plan
  • Construction drawings
  • Engineering calculations
  • As required by the permit portal
Building code
2021 Washington State Building Code (IBC with WA amendments), 2021 Washington State Residential Code, Washington State Energy Code. Adopted codes enforced for unincorporated areas.
Contractor requirements
Washington State L&I registration required. Electrical permits through WA State L&I. If property is within city limits of any incorporated city, that city's permits are required instead of county permits.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Simple permits: 1-4 weeks; Major projects: 4-12 weeks

  1. 01
    Verify jurisdiction using Clark County GIS Property Information Tool. Visit Clark County Maps Online, search by address or parcel number, click 'Property Information Center', review jurisdiction field.
  2. 02
    Submit application through Clark County Permit Portal.
  3. 03
    Create account.
  4. 04
    Upload documents (site plan, construction drawings, calculations).
  5. 05
    Pay fees.
  6. 06
    Monitor status online.
  7. 07
    Schedule inspections when permit issued.

Typical processing time: Simple permits: 1-4 weeks; Major projects: 4-12 weeks

Source: Clark County Community Development - Permit Center ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Clark County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Based on project valuation; similar structure to incorporated areas

Fee schedule available through Permit Center

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Typical sequence: Required inspections: Foundation, Framing, Plumbing, Mechanical, Final inspection

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Clark County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction work in unincorporated Clark County.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Clark County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation; similar structure to incorporated areas.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, WA, follow these steps: 1. Verify jurisdiction using Clark County GIS Property Information Tool. Visit Clark County Maps Online, search by address or parcel number, click 'Property Information Center', review jurisdiction field. 2. Submit application through Clark County Permit Portal. 3. Create account. 4. Upload documents (site plan, construction drawings, calculations). 5. Pay fees. 6. Monitor status online. 7. Schedule inspections when permit issued.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Clark County, WA typically run Simple permits: 1-4 weeks; Major projects: 4-12 weeks. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Clark County, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory buildings 200 sq ft or less (no plumbing/electrical/mechanical); Minor repairs; Certain agricultural structures. Note: Contact Permit Center to verify specific exemptions. Tiny homes/ADUs may be permitted as primary dwelling or guest house; hardship affidavit available for circumstantial permits (annual renewal required). When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clark County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clark County, WA via: Permit portal, 564-397-4078.
last verified April 2026 source Clark County Community Development - Permit Center ↗ entry id permits/washington/clark/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Clark County Community Development - Permit Center before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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