On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Moses Lake
Building permits are required for new construction, remodels, additions, ADUs, interior improvements, conversions, demolitions, fences over 8 feet, covered porches 200 sq ft or larger, retaining walls 4 feet or higher, mobile home placement, re-roofing, solar installation, signs, mechanical/plumbing work, and other construction activities.
One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft
Finish work: painting, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops
Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge)
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from exterior wall (no additional support needed)
Swing sets and playground equipment
Detached decks under 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to dwelling, and not serving required exit door
Reroofing single-family dwelling/private garage if less than 25% of sheathing replaced
Replacing siding over existing siding/sheathing
Portable heating and cooling units
Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks (without pipe/valve/fixture replacement)
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft
- Exempt Finish work: painting, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge)
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from exterior wall (no additional support needed)
- Exempt Swing sets and playground equipment
- Exempt Detached decks under 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to dwelling, and not serving required exit door
- Exempt Reroofing single-family dwelling/private garage if less than 25% of sheathing replaced
- Exempt Replacing siding over existing siding/sheathing
- Exempt Portable heating and cooling units
- Exempt Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks (without pipe/valve/fixture replacement)
Note: Verify edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding.
Required documents
- Building permit application (submitted online)
- Site plan showing property lines, setbacks, and existing/proposed structures
- Complete floor plans (existing and proposed)
- Elevations
- Wall details and cross-sections
- Truss engineering (if applicable)
- Floor engineering (if applicable)
- WSEC (Washington State Energy Code) worksheets
- Gas piping schematic (if applicable)
- Structural plans and calculations
- Foundation plan
- Framing plan
- Energy compliance forms
- Agent Authorization Form (if applicable)
- Building code
- 2021 Washington State Building Codes
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if no inspection is passed within applicable timeframe.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors and subcontractors must have a current City of Moses Lake Business License before permit approval.
Source: Community Development Department - Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Variable; dependent on project complexity and completeness of initial submittal.
- 01 Visit www.cityofml.com/permit and create an account or sign in.
- 02 Select the appropriate permit type for your project.
- 03 Upload all required documents including site plan, construction plans, and project details.
- 04 Pay the review fee and technology fee upon acceptance of permit package.
- 05 City staff reviews completeness and routes plans for technical review.
- 06 Respond to any correction comments and upload revised documents if required.
- 07 Pay the permit fee before permit release and issuance.
Typical processing time: Variable; dependent on project complexity and completeness of initial submittal.
Source: Community Development Department - Building Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Moses Lake building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$30.00
02
Plan check fee
65% of Building Permit Fee
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based fee structure: $1-$500: $30; $501-$2,000: $30 for first $500 + $3.05 per additional $100; $2,001-$25,000: $75.75 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000; and additional brackets up to $5,615.25 base for $1,000,001+
Accepts cash, checks, credit cards (in person, over phone, or through online portal)
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (509) 764-3756 (phone)
- Online Permit Portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours in advance, or by 5:00 pm for next-day inspections; specific time requests should be made by 8:30 am day of inspection.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/footing, Framing/rough-in, Plumbing rough-in, Mechanical rough-in, Electrical rough-in (L&I), Insulation, Drywall, Final inspection.
Source: Community Development Department - Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Moses Lake permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
Building permits are required for new construction, remodels, additions, ADUs, interior improvements, conversions, demolitions, fences over 8 feet, covered porches 200 sq ft or larger, retaining walls 4 feet or higher, mobile home placement, re-roofing, solar installation, signs, mechanical/plumbing work, and other construction activities.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Moses Lake, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $30.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based fee structure: $1-$500: $30; $501-$2,000: $30 for first $500 + $3.05 per additional $100; $2,001-$25,000: $75.75 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000; and additional brackets up to $5,615.25 base for $1,000,001+. Plan check fee: 65% of Building Permit Fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Moses Lake, WA, follow these steps: 1. Visit www.cityofml.com/permit and create an account or sign in. 2. Select the appropriate permit type for your project. 3. Upload all required documents including site plan, construction plans, and project details. 4. Pay the review fee and technology fee upon acceptance of permit package. 5. City staff reviews completeness and routes plans for technical review. 6. Respond to any correction comments and upload revised documents if required. 7. Pay the permit fee before permit release and issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Moses Lake, WA typically run Variable; dependent on project complexity and completeness of initial submittal.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Moses Lake, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft; Finish work: painting, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops; Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge); Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from exterior wall (no additional support needed); Swing sets and playground equipment; Detached decks under 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to dwelling, and not serving required exit door; Reroofing single-family dwelling/private garage if less than 25% of sheathing replaced; Replacing siding over existing siding/sheathing; Portable heating and cooling units; Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks (without pipe/valve/fixture replacement). Note: Verify edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Moses Lake, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Moses Lake, WA via: (509) 764-3756, Online Permit Portal. At least 24 hours in advance, or by 5:00 pm for next-day inspections; specific time requests should be made by 8:30 am day of inspection..
last verified April 2026
source Community Development Department - Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/grant/moses-lake
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Development Department - Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.