On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Langley
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Langley.
One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet
Fences not over 7 feet in height
Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (with setback requirements)
Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons)
Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade)
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
Ordinary repair and maintenance
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet in height
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (with setback requirements)
- Exempt Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons)
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade)
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
- Exempt Ordinary repair and maintenance
Note: Verify specific exemptions with City staff as local amendments may apply.
Required documents
- Master Building Permit Application
- Building Permit Checklist
- Plot or site plan (drawn to scale)
- Building plans (to scale)
- Energy Code Worksheet
- Contractor verification (or Owner/Contractor Declaration for owner-builders)
- 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), 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC), with local amendments. Effective March 15, 2024.
- Permit validity
- Standard permit expiration terms apply per adopted 2021 codes.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder exemption available. Owner/Contractor Declaration must be signed and submitted with permit application.
- Contractor requirements
- City of Langley Contractor's Business License required for all contractors. All contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I. Contractor licenses are required for construction contracting, home building, building trades, landscaping construction, and related occupations. Langley endorsements applied through Washington Department of Revenue.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time varies by project complexity. Staff reviews during regular business hours (Monday-Wednesday 10 AM-4 PM; Thursday/Friday by appointment).
- 01 Obtain building permit application form from City Hall or download from the city website.
- 02 Complete Master Building Permit Application and all required checklists.
- 03 Prepare site plan (to scale) and building plans (to scale).
- 04 Complete Energy Code Worksheet.
- 05 Prepare or obtain contractor verification (or Owner/Contractor Declaration for owner-builders).
- 06 Submit completed application with all required plans and documentation to City Hall.
- 07 City staff review for code compliance.
- 08 City staff calculates permit fees based on project valuation.
- 09 Pay permit fees.
- 10 Permit issuance.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies by project complexity. Staff reviews during regular business hours (Monday-Wednesday 10 AM-4 PM; Thursday/Friday by appointment).
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective January 21, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$53
02
Plan check fee
65% of building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Tiered formula based on ICC Valuation Data Table: $0-$1,000 = $53; $1,001-$2,000 = First $1,000 + $4 per $100; $2,001-$25,000 = First $2,000 + $17 per $1,000; $25,001-$50,000 = First $25,000 + $12 per $1,000; $50,001-$100,000 = First $50,000 + $8 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = First $100,000 + $7 per $1,000; $500,001-$1,000,000 = First $500,000 + $6 per $1,000; $1,000,001-$5,000,000 = First $1,000,000 + $6 per $1,000; $5,000,000+ = First $5,000,000 + $3 per $1,000.
04
Reinspection fee
$150 (work concealed without inspection); $116/hour for overtime inspections (2-hour minimum weekday, 4-hour minimum weekend/holiday); $116 for miscellaneous inspection
Processing fee for permits not requiring plan review: $38. Re-roof (residential): $150. Re-roof (commercial/multifamily): Based on valuation. Demolition (single-family primary): $189. Demolition (single-family accessory): $96. Demolition (commercial/multifamily): 10% of demolition value. Solar photovoltaic (large, 15kW+): Racking system valuation. Technology Fee: Actual cost + 5%. State Fee (RCW 19.27.085): $6.50 (residential) / $25 (commercial).
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (360) 221-4214 (phone)
- permittech@langleywa.org (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- 48-hour notice requested
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Wednesday 10 AM - 4 PM; Thursday and Friday by appointment, email, and phone
- Time windows
- Inspections scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Langley permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Langley, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Langley.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Langley, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Langley, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $53. Fees are calculated as: Tiered formula based on ICC Valuation Data Table: $0-$1,000 = $53; $1,001-$2,000 = First $1,000 + $4 per $100; $2,001-$25,000 = First $2,000 + $17 per $1,000; $25,001-$50,000 = First $25,000 + $12 per $1,000; $50,001-$100,000 = First $50,000 + $8 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000 = First $100,000 + $7 per $1,000; $500,001-$1,000,000 = First $500,000 + $6 per $1,000; $1,000,001-$5,000,000 = First $1,000,000 + $6 per $1,000; $5,000,000+ = First $5,000,000 + $3 per $1,000.. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Langley, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Langley, WA, follow these steps: 1. Obtain building permit application form from City Hall or download from the city website. 2. Complete Master Building Permit Application and all required checklists. 3. Prepare site plan (to scale) and building plans (to scale). 4. Complete Energy Code Worksheet. 5. Prepare or obtain contractor verification (or Owner/Contractor Declaration for owner-builders). 6. Submit completed application with all required plans and documentation to City Hall. 7. City staff review for code compliance. 8. City staff calculates permit fees based on project valuation. 9. Pay permit fees. 10. Permit issuance.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Langley, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Langley, WA typically run Processing time varies by project complexity. Staff reviews during regular business hours (Monday-Wednesday 10 AM-4 PM; Thursday/Friday by appointment).. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Langley, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Langley, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures under 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet in height; Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (with setback requirements); Water tanks on grade (under 5,000 gallons); Sidewalks and driveways (under 30 inches above grade); Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops; Ordinary repair and maintenance. Note: Verify specific exemptions with City staff as local amendments may apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Langley, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Langley, WA via: (360) 221-4214, permittech@langleywa.org. 48-hour notice requested.
last verified April 2026
source Community Planning & Building Department ↗
entry id permits/washington/island/langley
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Planning & Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.