Grant County, WA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated areas of Grant County. If your property is within a city, contact that city's building department instead.

Department

Grant County Development Services - Building Division

Address

264 W Division Avenue, Ephrata, WA 98823

Phone

(509) 754-2011 Ext. 3001

Email

buildingdepartment@grantcountywa.gov

Website

https://www.grantcountywa.gov/177/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create an account on the Grant County Online Permit Center at https://co-grant-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/ (click 'Sign Up' in top right corner).
2. Click 'GO' under MY PORTAL, then 'APPLY'.
3. Select 'BUILDING DIVISION' for building permits.
4. Choose the appropriate permit type.
5. Answer all required application questions.
6. Upload required PDF files: Site Plan, Agent Authorization Form (if applicable), Complete Construction Drawings.
7. Applications remain in your personal staging area for 10 days to complete; incomplete submittals expire after 10 business days.
8. Click 'SUBMIT APPLICATION' to send to county for review.
9. Applications are routed to Planning Division, Fire Marshal Division, Public Works, WA State DOT (if applicable), and Grant County Health District (if applicable).
10. Respond to comments and revise documents if required.
11. Pay permit fees.
12. Receive permit issuance.

Typical processing time: Variable; dependent on project complexity and multi-department review requirements.

Source: Grant County Development Services - Building Division

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction (residential and commercial), additions and alterations, repairs and renovations, moving or demolishing structures, change of use, and accessory structures (with exceptions noted below).

Required Documents

• Complete Construction Drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections) as PDF
• Site Plan showing setbacks, property lines, easements
• Agent Authorization Form (if someone else is applying on your behalf)
• Manufactured Home (FAS) Moving Form (if applicable)
• LP-Gas Piping Schematic (if applicable)
• Plot plan showing property layout

Permit validity

Permits expire if no inspection is passed within applicable timeframe.

Building code

2021 Washington State Building Code (effective March 15, 2024): International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code, Grant County Code amendments

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$6.50 (residential), $25.00 (commercial)

Plan check fee

50% of the Permit Fee (for certain permit types)

Permit fee formula

Fees are based on project valuation and are updated annually every July. State Surcharges: $6.50 per residential building permit, $25.00 per commercial building permit. Plan Review Fee: 50% of the Permit Fee (for certain permit types).

Reinspection fee

$100 assessed after two failed inspections; must be paid before additional inspections can be scheduled

Payment note

Online through Portal account, by phone, by check (mail to PO Box 37, Ephrata WA 98823), or cash in office (exact amount required, no change available). 2.7% convenience fee for credit card payments charged by bank.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses (floor area <= 120 sq ft, not habitable, no plumbing/mechanical)
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
• Water tanks on grade <= 5,000 gallons (height:diameter ratio <= 2:1)
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets
• Prefabricated swimming pools (Group R-3 accessory) less than 24 inches deep, <= 5,000 gallons, installed entirely above ground
• Shade cloth structures for nursery/agricultural purposes
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies (projecting <= 54 inches, no additional support)
• Non-fixed fixtures not over 5 feet 9 inches in height

Important: Exemptions from permit requirements do NOT grant authorization to violate building code provisions or other laws/ordinances. All work must still comply with substantive standards.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 509-450-1117 (Inspection Line) (phone)
• Online Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Call 24 hours in advance. Inspections called after 4 p.m. will NOT be scheduled for next day. No same-day inspections.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Standard Residential Inspection Sequence: (1) SETBACK INSPECTION, (2) FOOTING, (3) FOUNDATION, (4) UNDERFLOOR, (5) GROUNDWORK PLUMBING (Slab on Grade), (6) SLAB-ON-GRADE, (7) BRACED WALLS/SHEAR WALLS, (8) ROUGH TRADES, (9) INSULATION, (10) DRYWALL, (11) FINAL INSPECTION.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Washington State Building Code (effective March 15, 2024): International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code, Grant County Code amendments
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

Building permits are required for new construction (residential and commercial), additions and alterations, repairs and renovations, moving or demolishing structures, change of use, and accessory structures (with exceptions noted below).

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

The minimum permit fee is $6.50 (residential), $25.00 (commercial). Fees are calculated as: Fees are based on project valuation and are updated annually every July. State Surcharges: $6.50 per residential building permit, $25.00 per commercial building permit. Plan Review Fee: 50% of the Permit Fee (for certain permit types).. Plan check fee: 50% of the Permit Fee (for certain permit types).

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

1. Create an account on the Grant County Online Permit Center at https://co-grant-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/ (click 'Sign Up' in top right corner). 2. Click 'GO' under MY PORTAL, then 'APPLY'. 3. Select 'BUILDING DIVISION' for building permits. 4. Choose the appropriate permit type. 5. Answer all required application questions. 6. Upload required PDF files: Site Plan, Agent Authorization Form (if applicable), Complete Construction Drawings. 7. Applications remain in your personal staging area for 10 days to complete; incomplete submittals expire after 10 business days. 8. Click 'SUBMIT APPLICATION' to send to county for review. 9. Applications are routed to Planning Division, Fire Marshal Division, Public Works, WA State DOT (if applicable), and Grant County Health District (if applicable). 10. Respond to comments and revise documents if required. 11. Pay permit fees. 12. Receive permit issuance.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

Typical processing time is Variable; dependent on project complexity and multi-department review requirements..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses (floor area <= 120 sq ft, not habitable, no plumbing/mechanical); Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids); Water tanks on grade <= 5,000 gallons (height:diameter ratio <= 2:1); Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets; Prefabricated swimming pools (Group R-3 accessory) less than 24 inches deep, <= 5,000 gallons, installed entirely above ground; Shade cloth structures for nursery/agricultural purposes; Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies (projecting <= 54 inches, no additional support); Non-fixed fixtures not over 5 feet 9 inches in height. Note: Exemptions from permit requirements do NOT grant authorization to violate building code provisions or other laws/ordinances. All work must still comply with substantive standards.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grant County, WA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 509-450-1117 (Inspection Line), Online Portal. Call 24 hours in advance. Inspections called after 4 p.m. will NOT be scheduled for next day. No same-day inspections..