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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Coupeville
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Coupeville.
One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls under 4 feet (with setbacks)
Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons)
Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade)
Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
Ordinary repairs
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet (with setbacks)
- Exempt Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons)
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade)
- Exempt Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
- Exempt Ordinary repairs
Note: Properties within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve require Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Historic Preservation Commission even for exempt work. Contact Planning Department for applicability.
Required documents
- Master Building Permit Application
- Building Permit Checklist
- Two sets of building plans (to scale)
- Plot plan
- Owner/Contractor Declaration (if applicable)
- Contractor license information
- Lender information (for projects over $5,000 per RCW 19.27.095)
- Foundation survey completed by licensed surveyor
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 IEBC, IMC, IFGC, IFC, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code, ICC A117.1-2017 (Accessibility), with local amendments. Effective March 15, 2024. Foundation survey required for all building permits, completed by licensed surveyor.
- Permit validity
- Work must commence within 180 days of permit issuance. Work must not be suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Extensions available in writing with justifiable cause (up to 180 days each).
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder exemption available with signed Owner/Contractor Declaration. Owner must agree to retain only registered contractors for assistance exceeding $500.
- Contractor requirements
- Washington State registered contractor required. All contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time varies by project complexity and whether historic review is required. Contact town for current timelines.
- 01 Complete Master Building Permit Application.
- 02 Prepare or obtain all required documentation including building plans, site plans, and supporting forms.
- 03 For projects within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve: Obtain Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Historic Preservation Commission prior to building permit issuance.
- 04 Submit completed application with all required plans and documentation to Town Hall.
- 05 Building Official reviews plans for code compliance.
- 06 Town staff calculates permit fees based on project valuation.
- 07 Pay permit fees.
- 08 Permit issuance.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies by project complexity and whether historic review is required. Contact town for current timelines.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
65% of building permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
Tiered formula based on ICC Valuation Data (2025 Resolution 25-03). Valuation rates per square foot: Dwellings (Good Construction) = $212/SF; Qualified Affordable Housing = $91/SF; Modular = $79/SF; Move/Relocated = $49/SF; Carport = $17/SF; Garage/Barn/Workshop (Conventional) = $30/SF; Garage/Barn/Workshop (Pole) = $22/SF; Covered Deck/Porch = $24/SF; Uncovered Deck = $18/SF. Contact town for specific fee brackets.
03
Reinspection fee
$75/hour (outside normal business hours, 2-hour minimum); $75/hour for 3rd+ reinspection on same issue; $75/hour for additional plan review
04
Penalty (no permit)
Minimum $150 for work without permit or investigation
Technology Fee: 3% of total permit cost. Additional fees include Demolition ($185), Reroof (<10 squares, includes COA) ($150), Reroof (>10 squares, includes COA) ($200), Resheath/Reroof ($150), Manufactured/Mobile Home in Park ($250), Manufactured/Mobile Home on Town Lot ($400), Modular per module ($250), Moved Structure ($400), Underground Tank Decommission ($150), Adult Family Home Inspection ($250), Change of Occupancy ($150).
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (360) 678-4461 ext. 8 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 48-hour notice requested
- Inspection hours
- During normal business hours
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Coupeville permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Coupeville, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the Town of Coupeville.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Coupeville, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Coupeville, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Tiered formula based on ICC Valuation Data (2025 Resolution 25-03). Valuation rates per square foot: Dwellings (Good Construction) = $212/SF; Qualified Affordable Housing = $91/SF; Modular = $79/SF; Move/Relocated = $49/SF; Carport = $17/SF; Garage/Barn/Workshop (Conventional) = $30/SF; Garage/Barn/Workshop (Pole) = $22/SF; Covered Deck/Porch = $24/SF; Uncovered Deck = $18/SF. Contact town for specific fee brackets.. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Coupeville, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Coupeville, WA, follow these steps: 1. Complete Master Building Permit Application. 2. Prepare or obtain all required documentation including building plans, site plans, and supporting forms. 3. For projects within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve: Obtain Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Historic Preservation Commission prior to building permit issuance. 4. Submit completed application with all required plans and documentation to Town Hall. 5. Building Official reviews plans for code compliance. 6. Town staff calculates permit fees based on project valuation. 7. Pay permit fees. 8. Permit issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Coupeville, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Coupeville, WA typically run Processing time varies by project complexity and whether historic review is required. Contact town for current timelines.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Coupeville, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Coupeville, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls under 4 feet (with setbacks); Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons); Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade); Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets); Ordinary repairs. Note: Properties within Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve require Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from Historic Preservation Commission even for exempt work. Contact Planning Department for applicability. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Coupeville, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Coupeville, WA via: (360) 678-4461 ext. 8. 48-hour notice requested.
last verified April 2026
source Planning and Building Department ↗
entry id permits/washington/island/coupeville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.