Cle Elum, WA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement)

Street address

119 West First Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922

Phone

(509) 674-2262

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Cle Elum. Building inspections and permitting administered through an interlocal agreement with Kittitas County Community Development Services.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Cle Elum

Any owner, contractor, or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or install or alter any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system must obtain a permit.

Scope of work

Permit?

One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet (no plumbing or mechanical)

Exempt

Fences under 7 feet

Exempt

Retaining walls under 4 feet

Exempt

Cosmetic interior work (painting, flooring, cabinets not affecting structure)

Exempt

Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep

Exempt

Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade

Exempt

Exempt One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet (no plumbing or mechanical)
Exempt Fences under 7 feet
Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
Exempt Cosmetic interior work (painting, flooring, cabinets not affecting structure)
Exempt Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade

Note: Confirm specific exemption applicability with City Hall at (509) 674-2262.

Required documents

Current Washington State Contractor's License
City of Cle Elum Business License (for contractors)
Completed permit application
Site plan
Construction drawings
Additional documents as required by permit type

Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2021 Washington State Energy Code with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024)
Permit validity: Not specified; contact City Hall for details.
Contractor requirements: Washington State contractor registration required. Verify at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Source: Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies by project type. Contact City Hall for estimates.

01

Contact City Hall at (509) 674-2262 to confirm current application intake process and whether to submit to city or Kittitas County CDS.
02

Determine permit type and confirm requirements.
03

Prepare all documents as separate, labeled PDF files.
04

Submit application with all required documents and current Washington State Contractor's License and City of Cle Elum Business License (for contractors).
05

Plan review is conducted (timelines vary by project type).
06

Pay fees and receive permit.
07

Schedule inspections with Kittitas County CDS as work progresses.

Typical processing time: Varies by project type. Contact City Hall for estimates.

Source: Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Current schedule on city website

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$124

Plan check fee

65% of the permit fee (minimum $110)

Permit fee formula

Tiered by valuation: $124 for first $7,000 + $11 per additional $1,000 (for $1-$40,000); escalating rates for higher valuations

Reinspection fee

$110/hour (1-hour minimum)

Plan review fees paid at time of submittal. Deposits required and credited toward final fees: new residence/commercial $900, modulars $500, new accessory structure $500, alterations/additions $300, other $300.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current schedule on city website) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(509) 962-7694 — Kittitas County CDS Inspection Request Line (phone)
cds@co.kittitas.wa.us (email)

Scheduling deadline: Requests submitted by 2:00 PM typically performed the next business day.
Inspection hours: Inspections 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: form/rebar before concrete pour, framing after roof/sheathing and concealed systems in place, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in, insulation, final inspection.

Source: Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Cle Elum permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

Building permit fees in Cle Elum, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $124. Fees are calculated as: Tiered by valuation: $124 for first $7,000 + $11 per additional $1,000 (for $1-$40,000); escalating rates for higher valuations. Plan check fee: 65% of the permit fee (minimum $110).

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Cle Elum, WA, follow these steps: 1. Contact City Hall at (509) 674-2262 to confirm current application intake process and whether to submit to city or Kittitas County CDS. 2. Determine permit type and confirm requirements. 3. Prepare all documents as separate, labeled PDF files. 4. Submit application with all required documents and current Washington State Contractor's License and City of Cle Elum Business License (for contractors). 5. Plan review is conducted (timelines vary by project type). 6. Pay fees and receive permit. 7. Schedule inspections with Kittitas County CDS as work progresses.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Cle Elum, WA typically run Varies by project type. Contact City Hall for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Cle Elum, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet (no plumbing or mechanical); Fences under 7 feet; Retaining walls under 4 feet; Cosmetic interior work (painting, flooring, cabinets not affecting structure); Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade. Note: Confirm specific exemption applicability with City Hall at (509) 674-2262. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Cle Elum, WA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Cle Elum, WA via: (509) 962-7694 — Kittitas County CDS Inspection Request Line, cds@co.kittitas.wa.us. Requests submitted by 2:00 PM typically performed the next business day..

last verified April 2026 source Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement) ↗ entry id permits/washington/kittitas/cle-elum

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department (through Kittitas County CDS interlocal agreement) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Cle Elum

Other jurisdictions in Kittitas County.