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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Grant County
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).
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
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses (floor area <= 120 sq ft, not habitable, no plumbing/mechanical)
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
- Exempt Water tanks on grade <= 5,000 gallons (height:diameter ratio <= 2:1)
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, TV, and theater stage sets
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools (Group R-3 accessory) less than 24 inches deep, <= 5,000 gallons, installed entirely above ground
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for nursery/agricultural purposes
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
- Exempt Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies (projecting <= 54 inches, no additional support)
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if no inspection is passed within applicable timeframe.
Source: Grant County Development Services - Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Variable; dependent on project complexity and multi-department review requirements.
- 01 Create an account on the Grant County Online Permit Center at https://co-grant-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/ (click 'Sign Up' in top right corner).
- 02 Click 'GO' under MY PORTAL, then 'APPLY'.
- 03 Select 'BUILDING DIVISION' for building permits.
- 04 Choose the appropriate permit type.
- 05 Answer all required application questions.
- 06 Upload required PDF files: Site Plan, Agent Authorization Form (if applicable), Complete Construction Drawings.
- 07 Applications remain in your personal staging area for 10 days to complete; incomplete submittals expire after 10 business days.
- 08 Click 'SUBMIT APPLICATION' to send to county for review.
- 09 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$6.50 (residential), $25.00 (commercial)
02
Plan check fee
50% of the Permit Fee (for certain permit types)
03
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).
04
Reinspection fee
$100 assessed after two failed inspections; must be paid before additional inspections can be scheduled
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
Source: Grant County Development Services - Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Grant County permits
01 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).
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grant County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Grant County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Grant County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Grant County, WA typically run Variable; dependent on project complexity and multi-department review requirements.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Grant County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grant County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grant County, WA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Grant County Development Services - Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/grant/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Grant County Development Services - Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.