Davenport, WA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City Hall (Building Services via Northwest Code Professionals)

Street address

411 Morgan St., P.O. Box 26, Davenport, WA 99122

Phone

509-725-4352

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Davenport.

Online portal

City of Davenport Website

Paper-based

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Davenport

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, remodels, and demolitions affecting any residential, commercial, or industrial building within the City of Davenport.

Scope of work

Permit?

One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with roof projection not exceeding 120 sq ft

Exempt

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

Exempt

Normal maintenance and repairs (painting, wallpapering, adding insulation without structural change)

Exempt

Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with roof projection not exceeding 120 sq ft
Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from footing bottom to top of wall)
Exempt Normal maintenance and repairs (painting, wallpapering, adding insulation without structural change)

Note: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work are never exempt and require separate permits from L&I (electrical) or local authority (plumbing/mechanical). Exemption from building permit does not mean exemption from code compliance or zoning requirements.

Required documents

Completed Building Permit Application
Site plan showing property boundaries and structure location
Construction plans (floor plan, elevations, cross-sections)
Contractor Washington State license copy (if using a contractor)

Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments, effective March 15, 2024
Permit validity: Must commence construction within 180 days of permit issuance or permit becomes void. Permit valid for 18 months from issuance; renewable for 6 months if substantial progress is demonstrated.
Contractor requirements: All contractors must hold a current Washington State contractor registration with L&I. Bond requirements: $30,000 (general contractors) or $15,000 (specialty contractors) as of July 2024.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time varies; contact City Hall for estimates. Plan review timeline depends on project complexity.

01

Contact City Hall at 509-725-4352 to determine what permits are required for your project.
02

Download or pick up the Building Permit Application form from City Hall or the city website.
03

Complete the application with project description, property details, and value of work.
04

Gather required documents (site plan, construction plans, contractor license copy).
05

Submit completed application to City Hall with all documents and fee payment.
06

City Hall forwards application to Northwest Code Professionals for plan review.
07

Pay any additional plan-check fees invoiced during review.
08

Receive permit and post it visibly at the job site before beginning work.
09

Schedule required inspections by contacting City Hall or Northwest Code Professionals.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact City Hall for estimates. Plan review timeline depends on project complexity.

Source: City Hall (Building Services via Northwest Code Professionals) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Davenport building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Follows Washington State Building Code fee table structure (RCW 19.27.085) plus state surcharge of $6.50 per permit plus $2.00 per $1,000 of construction valuation

Fee schedule is not published online. Contact City Hall at 509-725-4352 for current permit fees and payment methods.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

City Hall: 509-725-4352 (phone)
Northwest Code Professionals: 1-800-358-8034 / 541-484-9043 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Provide at least 2 business days advance notice for inspection requests.
Inspection hours: City Hall: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical inspection stages for residential: foundation/footing, framing, insulation, final inspection. Sequence and specific stages depend on project type. Contact City Hall or Northwest Code Professionals for your project's requirements.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Davenport permits

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

A building permit is required for new construction, additions, alterations, remodels, and demolitions affecting any residential, commercial, or industrial building within the City of Davenport.

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

Building permit fees in Davenport, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Follows Washington State Building Code fee table structure (RCW 19.27.085) plus state surcharge of $6.50 per permit plus $2.00 per $1,000 of construction valuation.

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

To apply for a building permit in Davenport, WA, follow these steps: 1. Contact City Hall at 509-725-4352 to determine what permits are required for your project. 2. Download or pick up the Building Permit Application form from City Hall or the city website. 3. Complete the application with project description, property details, and value of work. 4. Gather required documents (site plan, construction plans, contractor license copy). 5. Submit completed application to City Hall with all documents and fee payment. 6. City Hall forwards application to Northwest Code Professionals for plan review. 7. Pay any additional plan-check fees invoiced during review. 8. Receive permit and post it visibly at the job site before beginning work. 9. Schedule required inspections by contacting City Hall or Northwest Code Professionals.

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

Building permit processing times in Davenport, WA typically run Processing time varies; contact City Hall for estimates. Plan review timeline depends on project complexity.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Davenport, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) with roof projection not exceeding 120 sq ft; Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from footing bottom to top of wall); Normal maintenance and repairs (painting, wallpapering, adding insulation without structural change). Note: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work are never exempt and require separate permits from L&I (electrical) or local authority (plumbing/mechanical). Exemption from building permit does not mean exemption from code compliance or zoning requirements. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Davenport, WA via: City Hall: 509-725-4352, Northwest Code Professionals: 1-800-358-8034 / 541-484-9043. Provide at least 2 business days advance notice for inspection requests..

last verified April 2026 source City Hall (Building Services via Northwest Code Professionals) ↗ entry id permits/washington/lincoln/davenport

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City Hall (Building Services via Northwest Code Professionals) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Davenport

Other jurisdictions in Lincoln County.