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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pasco
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Pasco. Permits are valid for 180 days; extension requests must be submitted before expiration.
One-story detached sheds or playhouses: up to 200 sq ft (residential) or up to 120 sq ft (commercial)
Sidewalks, driveways, and concrete/flatwork slabs less than 30 inches above ground
Retaining walls under 4 feet tall (not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
Fences under 7 feet tall
Water tanks smaller than 5,000 gallons
Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from the structure
Decks under 200 sq ft and less than 30 inches above ground
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Residential roofing replacement
Residential siding replacement
- Exempt One-story detached sheds or playhouses: up to 200 sq ft (residential) or up to 120 sq ft (commercial)
- Exempt Sidewalks, driveways, and concrete/flatwork slabs less than 30 inches above ground
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet tall (not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet tall
- Exempt Water tanks smaller than 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from the structure
- Exempt Decks under 200 sq ft and less than 30 inches above ground
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Residential roofing replacement
- Exempt Residential siding replacement
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. All electrical work requires Washington State L&I electrical permit regardless of building permit exemption status.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site plan (showing AC pad location, finished floor elevation, drainage flow arrows, easements, building shape and location, setbacks, sidewalk and driveway with dimensions)
- Full construction plans (floor plan with rooms labeled, building elevations, foundation plan, cross-sections, braced wall panel locations, truss layout and reactions, stairway detail if applicable)
- Washington State Energy Code compliance documentation
- Contractor information and Washington State L&I registration number
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024)
- Permit validity
- 180 days from issuance. Extension requests must be submitted before expiration.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a valid Washington State L&I contractor registration (RCW Chapter 18.27) and a City of Pasco business license. All electrical work goes through Washington State L&I regardless of local permit status.
Source: Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 5-7 business days for residential; 20-30 business days for commercial. Extensions required if work not complete within 180 days.
- 01 For complex projects, contact the Building Division at 509-543-5726 to discuss project specifics before submission.
- 02 Prepare all application documents in PDF format, including site plan, construction plans, and energy code compliance documentation.
- 03 Submit applications by email to permittech@pasco-wa.gov with the project site address as the subject line. Files over 30 MB can be submitted via pascofileshare.com/filedrop/permittech@pasco-wa.gov.
- 04 Building Division staff reviews documents for completeness and routes plan review to applicable departments.
- 05 Residential plan review target: 5-7 business days. Commercial plan review target: 20-30 business days.
- 06 Pay permit fees at permit issuance (not at submittal). Permit and approved plans must be on the job site during all construction.
- 07 For inspections, schedule online through eTRAKiT (https://egov-pasco.com/eTRAKit3/) or call 509-543-5726. Inspection requests submitted by midnight are guaranteed for the next business day.
Typical processing time: 5-7 business days for residential; 20-30 business days for commercial. Extensions required if work not complete within 180 days.
Source: Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective January 1, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50.00
02
Plan check fee
65% of building permit fee for projects over $10,000; flat $50.00 for new single-family residences (R-3 dwellings)
03
Permit fee formula
Graduated schedule based on project valuation. Projects $1-$10,000 are $50.00; rates increase for higher valuations. See current fee schedule for complete table.
04
Reinspection fee
Contact Building Division
Fees collected at permit issuance, not at submittal. Annual fee increase: 3.25% on January 1st each year (PMC 3.35.250).
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective January 1, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- eTRAKiT portal (online)
- 509-543-5726 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspection requests submitted in eTRAKiT by midnight are guaranteed for the next business day.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Typical residential sequence: foundation, framing, insulation, MEP rough-ins (plumbing and mechanical; electrical through L&I), drywall/sheathing, final.
Remote inspections may be available; contact Building Division to inquire.
Source: Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Pasco permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Pasco, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Pasco. Permits are valid for 180 days; extension requests must be submitted before expiration.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Pasco, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Pasco, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Graduated schedule based on project valuation. Projects $1-$10,000 are $50.00; rates increase for higher valuations. See current fee schedule for complete table.. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee for projects over $10,000; flat $50.00 for new single-family residences (R-3 dwellings).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Pasco, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Pasco, WA, follow these steps: 1. For complex projects, contact the Building Division at 509-543-5726 to discuss project specifics before submission. 2. Prepare all application documents in PDF format, including site plan, construction plans, and energy code compliance documentation. 3. Submit applications by email to permittech@pasco-wa.gov with the project site address as the subject line. Files over 30 MB can be submitted via pascofileshare.com/filedrop/permittech@pasco-wa.gov. 4. Building Division staff reviews documents for completeness and routes plan review to applicable departments. 5. Residential plan review target: 5-7 business days. Commercial plan review target: 20-30 business days. 6. Pay permit fees at permit issuance (not at submittal). Permit and approved plans must be on the job site during all construction. 7. For inspections, schedule online through eTRAKiT (https://egov-pasco.com/eTRAKit3/) or call 509-543-5726. Inspection requests submitted by midnight are guaranteed for the next business day.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Pasco, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Pasco, WA typically run 5-7 business days for residential; 20-30 business days for commercial. Extensions required if work not complete within 180 days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Pasco, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Pasco, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached sheds or playhouses: up to 200 sq ft (residential) or up to 120 sq ft (commercial); Sidewalks, driveways, and concrete/flatwork slabs less than 30 inches above ground; Retaining walls under 4 feet tall (not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids); Fences under 7 feet tall; Water tanks smaller than 5,000 gallons; Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from the structure; Decks under 200 sq ft and less than 30 inches above ground; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Residential roofing replacement; Residential siding replacement. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. All electrical work requires Washington State L&I electrical permit regardless of building permit exemption status. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Pasco, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Pasco, WA via: eTRAKiT portal, 509-543-5726. Inspection requests submitted in eTRAKiT by midnight are guaranteed for the next business day..
last verified April 2026
source Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/franklin/pasco
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community and Economic Development Department, Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.