South Cle Elum, WA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement

Street address

411 N. Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (for permits); Town Hall: 523 Lincoln Avenue, South Cle Elum, WA 98943

Phone

(509) 962-7506 (CDS) or (509) 674-4322 (Town Hall)

cds@co.kittitas.wa.us

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated Town of South Cle Elum. Building permit services administered by Kittitas County CDS under interlocal arrangement.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for South Cle Elum

Any property owner or authorized representative planning construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition, or occupancy changes must submit a complete application.

Scope of work

Permit?

Residential accessory structures up to 200 sq ft with no plumbing or mechanical systems, set 10+ feet from other structures and meeting setback requirements

Exempt

Non-residential accessory structures (storage buildings) up to 120 sq ft

Exempt

Fences under 7 feet tall

Exempt

Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)

Exempt

Cosmetic work: painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinetry (non-structural)

Exempt

Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep

Exempt

Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade

Exempt

Playground equipment for single/two-family homes

Exempt

Exempt Residential accessory structures up to 200 sq ft with no plumbing or mechanical systems, set 10+ feet from other structures and meeting setback requirements
Exempt Non-residential accessory structures (storage buildings) up to 120 sq ft
Exempt Fences under 7 feet tall
Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
Exempt Cosmetic work: painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinetry (non-structural)
Exempt Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
Exempt Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
Exempt Playground equipment for single/two-family homes

Note: Exemptions do not authorize work in violation of the building code. All work, including exempt work, must comply with applicable zoning, setback, and critical area requirements.

Required documents

Completed General Building Application (signed)
Vicinity map
Site plan showing lot lines, setbacks, existing and proposed buildings with dimensions, surface water/wetlands, north arrow, address, access driveways, road name, septic and well locations with setbacks
Floor plans
Foundation plans
Roof framing plans
Elevations
Cross sections and construction details
Plans drawn to minimum 1/4-inch scale on minimum 11" x 17" sheets; two sets required
Environmental checklist (SEPA) if applicable
Supplemental information required by County Engineer or Public Works

Building code: 2021 I-Codes (IBC, IRC, UPC, IMC, IFC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024); International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) as adopted by Kittitas County
Permit validity: Not specified; contact Kittitas County CDS for details.
Contractor requirements: Washington State contractor registration required. Verify at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Source: Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 2 weeks for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, or Full Review (as of February 2026)

01

Complete Water Availability and Preliminary Site Analysis (required before applying).
02

Download application forms from Kittitas County CDS at co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/forms.aspx (General Building Application or Foundation-Only Application).
03

Prepare construction documents: site plan, floor plans, foundation plans, roof framing plans, elevations, cross sections. Plans must be to minimum 1/4-inch scale on 11" x 17" sheets; two sets required.
04

Submit application electronically via Kittitas County CDS upload portal or in-person at 411 N. Ruby St., Suite 2, Ellensburg.
05

Plan review conducted (2-week target for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, and Full Review as of February 2026).
06

Pay fees and receive permit.
07

Schedule inspections through CDS inspection request line.

Typical processing time: 2 weeks for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, or Full Review (as of February 2026)

Source: Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Current schedule on Kittitas County CDS site

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$150 (permit issuance fee)

Permit fee formula

Hourly rate ($140/hour) or by square-foot valuation or bid amount as determined by CDS

Base fees: permit issuance $150, application/permit extension $70. Use permit fee estimator at co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/building/permit-fee-estimator.aspx for project-specific estimates.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current schedule on Kittitas County CDS site) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

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

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

Typical sequence: Typical stages: form/rebar before concrete pour, hole inspection (pole buildings before backfill), under-floor, exterior shear wall nailing, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in, fire sprinkler (if applicable), framing, insulation, final inspection.

Source: Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about South Cle Elum permits

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

Any property owner or authorized representative planning construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition, or occupancy changes must submit a complete application.

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

Building permit fees in South Cle Elum, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $150 (permit issuance fee). Fees are calculated as: Hourly rate ($140/hour) or by square-foot valuation or bid amount as determined by CDS.

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

To apply for a building permit in South Cle Elum, WA, follow these steps: 1. Complete Water Availability and Preliminary Site Analysis (required before applying). 2. Download application forms from Kittitas County CDS at co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/forms.aspx (General Building Application or Foundation-Only Application). 3. Prepare construction documents: site plan, floor plans, foundation plans, roof framing plans, elevations, cross sections. Plans must be to minimum 1/4-inch scale on 11" x 17" sheets; two sets required. 4. Submit application electronically via Kittitas County CDS upload portal or in-person at 411 N. Ruby St., Suite 2, Ellensburg. 5. Plan review conducted (2-week target for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, and Full Review as of February 2026). 6. Pay fees and receive permit. 7. Schedule inspections through CDS inspection request line.

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

Building permit processing times in South Cle Elum, WA typically run 2 weeks for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, or Full Review (as of February 2026). Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in South Cle Elum, WA. The following work is generally exempt: Residential accessory structures up to 200 sq ft with no plumbing or mechanical systems, set 10+ feet from other structures and meeting setback requirements; Non-residential accessory structures (storage buildings) up to 120 sq ft; Fences under 7 feet tall; Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall); Cosmetic work: painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinetry (non-structural); Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep; Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade; Playground equipment for single/two-family homes. Note: Exemptions do not authorize work in violation of the building code. All work, including exempt work, must comply with applicable zoning, setback, and critical area requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

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

last verified April 2026 source Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement ↗ entry id permits/washington/kittitas/south-cle-elum

Report a correction

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

Town of South Cle Elum

Other jurisdictions in Kittitas County.