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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pacific County
A Development Permit Application is required for every project in unincorporated Pacific County. Building permits required for construction.
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
- Exempt Decks 30 inches or less above grade level
- Exempt Storage buildings 120 square feet or less on temporary foundation, 10 feet or less tall, with no plumbing
- Exempt Residential siding and window replacement
- Exempt Remodeling under $1,500 with no structural changes
- Exempt Fences 6 feet or less in height
- Exempt Residential re-roofing
- Exempt Swimming pools not exceeding 5,000 gallons
- Exempt 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.
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)
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
Source: Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Two to eight weeks depending on project type and season; summer is the busiest period.
- 01 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).
- 02 Complete Development Permit Application (DPA) — required for every project.
- 03 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.
- 04 Complete Planning Application (CARL) for projects disturbing land (clearing, filling, grading, building, septic).
- 05 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).
- 06 Obtain HOA or architectural committee approval if property is subject to such restrictions.
- 07 Obtain recorded survey if property is in specified subdivision (confirm with DCD).
- 08 Submit all applications and documents to the DCD office; verify payment amount before submission (incorrect payment results in rejection).
- 09 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective RES-2022-087
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Included in fee calculation
02
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.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective RES-2022-087) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
Source: Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Pacific County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pacific County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Pacific County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pacific County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Pacific County, WA typically run Two to eight weeks depending on project type and season; summer is the busiest period.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Pacific County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pacific County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pacific County, WA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division ↗
entry id permits/washington/pacific/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Community Development (DCD) — Building Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.