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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Klickitat County
A building permit is required prior to the construction, erection, alteration, repair, move, demolition, or change of use of any building or structure in unincorporated Klickitat County.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, and similar, where floor area does not exceed 120 square feet
Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (bottom of footing to top of wall) that are not supporting a surcharge
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is 5,000 gallons or less and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to residential occupancy where the pool walls are entirely above grade and the pool capacity is 5,000 gallons or less
Minor plumbing repairs: stopping leaks; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures; reinstallation of water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures is involved
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, and similar, where floor area does not exceed 120 square feet
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (bottom of footing to top of wall) that are not supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is 5,000 gallons or less and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to residential occupancy where the pool walls are entirely above grade and the pool capacity is 5,000 gallons or less
- Exempt Minor plumbing repairs: stopping leaks; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures; reinstallation of water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures is involved
Note: Exempt work must still comply with all building code provisions and other applicable county ordinances. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area land use review may still apply to exempt construction within the Scenic Area boundary regardless of permit exemption status. Wind energy projects on unincorporated county land require an Energy Overlay Zone (EOZ) permit from the Planning Department in addition to any applicable building permits.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Vicinity sketch / map to the property (include gate codes, access notes, and any hazards for the inspector)
- Site plan showing all 10 required items
- Two sets of structural drawings (foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, truss layout, and truss specification sheets)
- Building code
- KCC Title 15 (Building Construction) — adopting 2021 IBC with WA amendments, effective March 15, 2024; KCC Title 16 (Factory Assembled Structures); Washington State Energy Code; applicable SEPA and environmental review requirements
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may apply. Owner-builder restrictions and disclosure requirements apply per Washington state law.
- Contractor requirements
- Washington L&I contractor registration is required for any contractor performing work in the county. Property owners and Washington-registered contractors may apply.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time not specified; contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current turnaround.
- 01 Determine whether the project is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. If yes, obtain Gorge Commission approval first before proceeding with the county permit application.
- 02 Determine whether the project is within or adjacent to Yakama Nation trust or reservation lands; verify jurisdiction if applicable.
- 03 Download and complete the building permit application from the county website or pick up in person at 115 W. Court St., Room 301.
- 04 Prepare the following required documents: completed application form, vicinity sketch/map to property (include gate codes and access notes), site plan showing all 10 required items (property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed structure location, easements, utilities, driveway access, septic/well locations, drainage, dimensions), and two sets of structural drawings (foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, truss layout, specification sheets).
- 05 Submit application in person at the Building Department (Room 301) or by mail.
- 06 Application is routed internally to other departments, including Health Department (for water availability and sewage disposal approval).
- 07 Pay applicable permit and plan review fees at time of permit issuance.
- 08 Upon permit issuance, receive the permit card and inspection card listing required inspection stages.
- 09 Post permit card at the job site.
- 10 Call to schedule required inspections at least one business day in advance.
- 11 Pass final inspection; obtain certificate of occupancy if required.
Typical processing time: Processing time not specified; contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current turnaround.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective January 1, 2026
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Plan review fee charged in addition to the permit fee
02
Permit fee formula
Based on project valuation per Table 15-A and Table 15-B of Klickitat County Code (KCC Title 15, Chapters 15.06 and 15.08). Fee calculation is valuation-based consistent with ICC Building Valuation Data tables.
Current fee schedule is available on the Codes and Provisions page of the county website. Contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current fees.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective January 1, 2026) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (509) 773-3706 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests must be submitted at least one full business day prior to the desired inspection date. Requests received late will be scheduled for the next available inspection day in that area of the county.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (phone lines; phones shut off at 4:30 PM to prepare inspector files)
Typical sequence: The inspection card issued with the permit lists the specific required inspections for each project. Common residential stages include: footing, foundation, under-slab, framing, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, insulation, and final.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Klickitat County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
A building permit is required prior to the construction, erection, alteration, repair, move, demolition, or change of use of any building or structure in unincorporated Klickitat County.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation per Table 15-A and Table 15-B of Klickitat County Code (KCC Title 15, Chapters 15.06 and 15.08). Fee calculation is valuation-based consistent with ICC Building Valuation Data tables.. Plan check fee: Plan review fee charged in addition to the permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. If yes, obtain Gorge Commission approval first before proceeding with the county permit application. 2. Determine whether the project is within or adjacent to Yakama Nation trust or reservation lands; verify jurisdiction if applicable. 3. Download and complete the building permit application from the county website or pick up in person at 115 W. Court St., Room 301. 4. Prepare the following required documents: completed application form, vicinity sketch/map to property (include gate codes and access notes), site plan showing all 10 required items (property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed structure location, easements, utilities, driveway access, septic/well locations, drainage, dimensions), and two sets of structural drawings (foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, truss layout, specification sheets). 5. Submit application in person at the Building Department (Room 301) or by mail. 6. Application is routed internally to other departments, including Health Department (for water availability and sewage disposal approval). 7. Pay applicable permit and plan review fees at time of permit issuance. 8. Upon permit issuance, receive the permit card and inspection card listing required inspection stages. 9. Post permit card at the job site. 10. Call to schedule required inspections at least one business day in advance. 11. Pass final inspection; obtain certificate of occupancy if required.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA typically run Processing time not specified; contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current turnaround.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, and similar, where floor area does not exceed 120 square feet; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (bottom of footing to top of wall) that are not supporting a surcharge; Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is 5,000 gallons or less and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to residential occupancy where the pool walls are entirely above grade and the pool capacity is 5,000 gallons or less; Minor plumbing repairs: stopping leaks; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures; reinstallation of water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures is involved. Note: Exempt work must still comply with all building code provisions and other applicable county ordinances. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area land use review may still apply to exempt construction within the Scenic Area boundary regardless of permit exemption status. Wind energy projects on unincorporated county land require an Energy Overlay Zone (EOZ) permit from the Planning Department in addition to any applicable building permits. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Klickitat County, WA via: (509) 773-3706. Requests must be submitted at least one full business day prior to the desired inspection date. Requests received late will be scheduled for the next available inspection day in that area of the county..
last verified April 2026
source Klickitat County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/washington/klickitat/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Klickitat County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.