Pacific County, WA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Pacific County. Lead agency for land-use and environmental policy.

Department

Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division

Address

Long Beach Office (South County): 7013 Sandridge Road, Long Beach, WA 98631 | South Bend Office (North County): PO Box 68, 1216 W. Robert Bush Drive, South Bend, WA 98586

Phone

Long Beach Office: (360) 642-9382 | South Bend Office: (360) 875-9356

Email

dcd@co.pacific.wa.us

Website

https://www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/index.htm

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain parcel number and legal description (from tax statement, Taxsifter, or Assessor's office: 360-642-9301 Long Beach or 360-875-9301 South Bend).
2. Complete Development Permit Application (DPA) — required for every project.
3. Prepare site plan drawn to scale on paper no larger than 11" × 17"; must show all existing/proposed buildings, driveways, drainfields, wells, water sources, wetlands, and setbacks.
4. Complete Planning Application (CARL) for projects disturbing land (clearing, filling, grading, building, septic).
5. Complete Building Application with two sets of detailed plans at minimum 1/4" scale (foundation, floor plan, cross sections, elevations, and engineering/structural calculations as required).
6. Obtain HOA or architectural committee approval if property is subject to such restrictions.
7. Obtain recorded survey if property is in specified subdivision (confirm with DCD).
8. Submit all applications and documents to the DCD office; verify payment amount before submission (incorrect payment results in rejection).
9. DCD conducts review (two to eight weeks depending on project type and season).
10. Permit must be claimed within 30 days of notification or application and all fees are forfeited.
11. Work must start within 180 days of permit issuance or permit becomes void.

Typical processing time: Two to eight weeks depending on project type and season; summer is the busiest period.

Source: Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division

General Requirements

A Development Permit Application is required for every project in unincorporated Pacific County. Building permits required for construction.

Required Documents

• Development Permit Application (DPA)
• Site plan (scale drawing on 11" × 17" or smaller)
• Planning Application (CARL) for land-disturbing projects
• Building Application with minimum two sets of construction documents at 1/4" scale
• Engineering/structural calculations (as required by project type)
• Foundation plan, floor plan, cross sections, elevations
• HOA approval (if applicable)
• Recorded survey (if property in specified subdivision)

Permit validity

Building/Manufactured Home: 2 years (renewable for 2 additional years). Septic System: 2 years (not renewable). Mechanical: 1 year (not renewable). Shoreline Substantial Development: 5 years (renewable for 1 additional year).

Building code

International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, Washington State Energy Code (updated March 15, 2024), Washington State handicap access codes.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders may perform work on owner-occupied properties; contractor registration with L&I still required for most work types.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be registered with Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Verify contractor registration at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/ before engagement.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included in fee calculation

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: multiply square footage of each component by valuation rate per sq. ft., then apply Fee Calculation Chart. Selected rates: New single-family dwelling (main/2nd floor): $104.38/sq. ft. | Additions: $104.38/sq. ft. | Garage: $37.69/sq. ft. | Uncovered deck: $12.79/sq. ft. | Mobile homes: $560–$720 flat rate. Example: 1,200 sq. ft. main + 800 sq. ft. 2nd floor + 500 sq. ft. garage = $227,605 valuation; Building fee: $1,710.55; Plan check: $1,111.86. Verify current rates with DCD before submission.

Payment note

Fees paid at DCD office at time of submittal. Incorrect payment results in application rejection. CRITICAL: Verify exact amount before submission — Long Beach (360-642-9382) or South Bend (360-875-9356).

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective RES-2022-087).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Decks 30 inches or less above grade level
• Storage buildings 120 square feet or less on temporary foundation, 10 feet or less tall, with no plumbing
• Residential siding and window replacement
• Remodeling under $1,500 with no structural changes
• Fences 6 feet or less in height
• Residential re-roofing
• Swimming pools not exceeding 5,000 gallons
• Landscaping without fill placement

Important: Grading or filling required in connection with an otherwise-exempt structure still requires a building permit. Confirm edge cases with DCD before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• South County (Long Beach area): (360) 642-9382 | North County (South Bend area): (360) 875-9356 (phone)
• For same-day requests, call before 6:00 AM the day of inspection (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Minimum 24 hours advance notice required.

Inspection hours

South County (Long Beach area): Monday–Thursday | North County (South Bend area): Tuesday and Thursday. Office hours: 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Fridays)

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspection stages: (1) Setbacks and footings, (2) Foundation, (3) Slab, (4) Framing/Plumbing/Mechanical (combined), (5) Insulation, (6) Final inspection. Approved plans must be on-site during all inspections. Structures cannot be occupied until final inspection sign-off.

Additional Resources

• Building code: International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, Washington State Energy Code (updated March 15, 2024), Washington State handicap access codes.
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• DCD Homepage
• Building Activity Reports
• Frequently Flooded Area Maps
• Pacific County Assessor (parcel/legal descriptions)
• Pacific County Public Works (flood maps)
• WA State L&I Electrical Permits
• Demolition Permits (ORCAA)
• WA DNR Tsunami Hazard Maps
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Pacific County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

A Development Permit Application is required for every project in unincorporated Pacific County. Building permits required for construction.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: multiply square footage of each component by valuation rate per sq. ft., then apply Fee Calculation Chart. Selected rates: New single-family dwelling (main/2nd floor): $104.38/sq. ft. | Additions: $104.38/sq. ft. | Garage: $37.69/sq. ft. | Uncovered deck: $12.79/sq. ft. | Mobile homes: $560–$720 flat rate. Example: 1,200 sq. ft. main + 800 sq. ft. 2nd floor + 500 sq. ft. garage = $227,605 valuation; Building fee: $1,710.55; Plan check: $1,111.86. Verify current rates with DCD before submission.. Plan check fee: Included in fee calculation.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

1. Obtain parcel number and legal description (from tax statement, Taxsifter, or Assessor's office: 360-642-9301 Long Beach or 360-875-9301 South Bend). 2. Complete Development Permit Application (DPA) — required for every project. 3. Prepare site plan drawn to scale on paper no larger than 11" × 17"; must show all existing/proposed buildings, driveways, drainfields, wells, water sources, wetlands, and setbacks. 4. Complete Planning Application (CARL) for projects disturbing land (clearing, filling, grading, building, septic). 5. Complete Building Application with two sets of detailed plans at minimum 1/4" scale (foundation, floor plan, cross sections, elevations, and engineering/structural calculations as required). 6. Obtain HOA or architectural committee approval if property is subject to such restrictions. 7. Obtain recorded survey if property is in specified subdivision (confirm with DCD). 8. Submit all applications and documents to the DCD office; verify payment amount before submission (incorrect payment results in rejection). 9. DCD conducts review (two to eight weeks depending on project type and season). 10. Permit must be claimed within 30 days of notification or application and all fees are forfeited. 11. Work must start within 180 days of permit issuance or permit becomes void.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

Typical processing time is Two to eight weeks depending on project type and season; summer is the busiest period..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

The following work is generally exempt: Decks 30 inches or less above grade level; Storage buildings 120 square feet or less on temporary foundation, 10 feet or less tall, with no plumbing; Residential siding and window replacement; Remodeling under $1,500 with no structural changes; Fences 6 feet or less in height; Residential re-roofing; Swimming pools not exceeding 5,000 gallons; Landscaping without fill placement. Note: Grading or filling required in connection with an otherwise-exempt structure still requires a building permit. Confirm edge cases with DCD before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pacific County, WA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: South County (Long Beach area): (360) 642-9382 | North County (South Bend area): (360) 875-9356, For same-day requests, call before 6:00 AM the day of inspection. Minimum 24 hours advance notice required..