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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lincoln County
Permits are required for new construction (site-built residences, commercial/industrial buildings, outbuildings), additions, structural remodels, alterations, manufactured home installations/relocations, and mechanical systems in new construction.
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with projected roof area not exceeding 120 sq ft
Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from footing bottom to top of wall), not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not exceeding 2:1
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Temporary growing structures used solely for commercial horticultural production (per RCW 19.27.065)
Agricultural structures (housing farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock) not used for human habitation or public use (may require local ordinance adoption)
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with projected roof area not exceeding 120 sq ft
- Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from footing bottom to top of wall), not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids
- Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not exceeding 2:1
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Temporary growing structures used solely for commercial horticultural production (per RCW 19.27.065)
- Exempt Agricultural structures (housing farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock) not used for human habitation or public use (may require local ordinance adoption)
Note: Exemption from building permit does not exempt work from code compliance. Electrical work is never exempt and requires L&I permitting (509-342-2540). Manufactured home additions/remodels require L&I permits, not county building permits. Call 811 before any digging.
Required documents
- Completed Building Permit Request form with site address
- Copy of septic permit from Health Department (mandatory for residential)
- Copy of contractor's Washington State license/certificate
- Detailed construction plans (all four elevations, window sizes, footing/foundation cross-sections, wall cross-sections with insulation R-values, floor joist plan, floor plan for each level, engineered truss specs for residential)
- Site plan (PDF form available on county website)
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and 2021 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), all with Washington State amendments, effective March 15, 2024
- Permit validity
- Must commence construction within 180 days of permit issuance or permit becomes null and void. Permit valid for 18 months from issuance; renewable for 6 months if substantial progress is demonstrated.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may apply directly; must report correct 4-digit sales/use tax location code for the project.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors and subcontractors 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. Correct tax location code reporting is required by law.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time varies by project complexity and current inspector workload. Lincoln County operates with a single Building Inspector covering over 2,300 square miles; waits may exceed one week. Contact the Building Division for estimates.
- 01 Ensure your property has a physical address assigned. Contact Lincoln County at 509-725-7911 to request address assignment if none exists.
- 02 For residential permits: Obtain septic system approval from Lincoln County Public Health (509-725-1001). Septic permit is mandatory.
- 03 For new driveway approach to county road: Obtain approach access permit from county road administration (509-725-7041).
- 04 Obtain the Building Permit Request form from lincolncountywa.com or use the online Accela portal.
- 05 Determine your tax location code: County/2200 for unincorporated areas (Reardan/2206 or Sprague/2207 if within city limits).
- 06 Prepare required documents: site plan, detailed construction plans (per checklist), contractor license copy, septic permit copy (for residential).
- 07 Submit completed application (paper or online via Accela) with all required documents and applicable fees.
- 08 Building Inspector reviews completeness and conducts plan review.
- 09 Receive permit; post permit and site address at job site before work begins.
- 10 Schedule inspections via phone/text (509-721-0539) with at least 2 business days advance notice.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies by project complexity and current inspector workload. Lincoln County operates with a single Building Inspector covering over 2,300 square miles; waits may exceed one week. Contact the Building Division for estimates.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lincoln County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Remodel plan review: $50.00 (applied toward permit fee if permit required)
02
Permit fee formula
Permit fees based on valuation of work, following Washington State Building Code fee table structure (RCW 19.27.085). State surcharge: $6.50 per permit plus $2.00 per $1,000 of construction value.
03
Reinspection fee
$50.00 minimum per occurrence for excessive repeat inspections
Credit card payments accepted online via Accela portal. For current complete fee schedule, contact Building Division at 509-725-7911 or 509-721-0539, or access the online portal. Refund policy: 50% maximum refund once plans are submitted.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building Inspector Ryan James: 509-721-0539 (preferred for technical inquiries) (phone)
- Accela Online Portal (online)
- Main County Line: 509-725-7911 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Provide at least 2 business days advance notice. Inspections are first-come, first-served.
- Inspection hours
- County Building Division: Contact 509-721-0539 for hours and availability (single inspector, large service area)
Typical sequence: Required inspection stages for site-built residence: (1) Footings, (2) Foundation, (3) Concrete Slab/Under Floor, (4) Sub-floor, (5) Frame, (6) Insulation, (7) House Gas Testing, (8) Tank Gas Testing, (9) Final Inspection. For non-residential: (1) Footings, (2) Foundation, (3) Framing, (4) Final Inspection. Affidavit of Inspection available for certain situations with prior approval.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Lincoln County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
Permits are required for new construction (site-built residences, commercial/industrial buildings, outbuildings), additions, structural remodels, alterations, manufactured home installations/relocations, and mechanical systems in new construction.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Permit fees based on valuation of work, following Washington State Building Code fee table structure (RCW 19.27.085). State surcharge: $6.50 per permit plus $2.00 per $1,000 of construction value.. Plan check fee: Remodel plan review: $50.00 (applied toward permit fee if permit required).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA, follow these steps: 1. Ensure your property has a physical address assigned. Contact Lincoln County at 509-725-7911 to request address assignment if none exists. 2. For residential permits: Obtain septic system approval from Lincoln County Public Health (509-725-1001). Septic permit is mandatory. 3. For new driveway approach to county road: Obtain approach access permit from county road administration (509-725-7041). 4. Obtain the Building Permit Request form from lincolncountywa.com or use the online Accela portal. 5. Determine your tax location code: County/2200 for unincorporated areas (Reardan/2206 or Sprague/2207 if within city limits). 6. Prepare required documents: site plan, detailed construction plans (per checklist), contractor license copy, septic permit copy (for residential). 7. Submit completed application (paper or online via Accela) with all required documents and applicable fees. 8. Building Inspector reviews completeness and conducts plan review. 9. Receive permit; post permit and site address at job site before work begins. 10. Schedule inspections via phone/text (509-721-0539) with at least 2 business days advance notice.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA typically run Processing time varies by project complexity and current inspector workload. Lincoln County operates with a single Building Inspector covering over 2,300 square miles; waits may exceed one week. Contact the Building Division for estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with projected roof area not exceeding 120 sq ft; Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from footing bottom to top of wall), not supporting surcharge or impounding liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade, capacity not exceeding 5,000 gallons, height-to-diameter ratio not exceeding 2:1; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary growing structures used solely for commercial horticultural production (per RCW 19.27.065); Agricultural structures (housing farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock) not used for human habitation or public use (may require local ordinance adoption). Note: Exemption from building permit does not exempt work from code compliance. Electrical work is never exempt and requires L&I permitting (509-342-2540). Manufactured home additions/remodels require L&I permits, not county building permits. Call 811 before any digging. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lincoln County, WA via: Building Inspector Ryan James: 509-721-0539 (preferred for technical inquiries), Accela Online Portal, Main County Line: 509-725-7911. Provide at least 2 business days advance notice. Inspections are first-come, first-served..
last verified April 2026
source Lincoln County Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/lincoln/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Lincoln County Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.