Burlington, WA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Burlington Building Department

Street address

833 S. Spruce Street, Burlington, WA 98233

Phone

360-755-0531

permits@burlingtonwa.gov

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Burlington.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Burlington

Building permits required for all construction within City of Burlington

Scope of work

Permit?

Minor repairs and finish work (specific exemptions based on scope and valuation)

Exempt

Exempt Minor repairs and finish work (specific exemptions based on scope and valuation)

Note: Contact Building Department to confirm exemption status for your specific project

Required documents

Completed permit application
Site plan showing property location
Architectural plans and construction drawings
Structural engineering drawings (if required)
Project specifications

Building code: International Building Codes with Washington State amendments
Permit validity: Permits expire if construction does not begin within timeframe specified in permit
Owner-builder: Property owner may perform own work; verify all requirements with Building Department
Contractor requirements: Washington State L&I contractor registration required; floodplain work requires additional contacts

Source: City of Burlington Building Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time varies; contact Building Department for project-specific timeline

01

Submit permit application and required documents via email to permits@burlingtonwa.gov
02

Include site plans, architectural plans, structural engineering (if required), and specifications
03

City staff reviews application for compliance with Building Code and zoning requirements
04

Pay permit fees upon invoice (fee schedule available on city website)
05

Receive permit or deficiency letter with required corrections
06

Resubmit with corrections if required
07

Schedule inspections as work progresses

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact Building Department for project-specific timeline

Source: City of Burlington Building Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective April 9, 2024

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Based on project valuation; see fee schedule for details

Contact Building Department for payment instructions

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective April 9, 2024) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

bbuilding@burlingtonwa.gov (email)
360-755-0077 (phone)

Inspection hours: Contact Building Department for current inspection hours

Typical sequence: Inspections required at various construction phases; all permitted work must be inspected

Source: City of Burlington Building Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Burlington permits

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

Building permits required for all construction within City of Burlington

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

Building permit fees in Burlington, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation; see fee schedule for details.

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

To apply for a building permit in Burlington, WA, follow these steps: 1. Submit permit application and required documents via email to permits@burlingtonwa.gov 2. Include site plans, architectural plans, structural engineering (if required), and specifications 3. City staff reviews application for compliance with Building Code and zoning requirements 4. Pay permit fees upon invoice (fee schedule available on city website) 5. Receive permit or deficiency letter with required corrections 6. Resubmit with corrections if required 7. Schedule inspections as work progresses

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

Building permit processing times in Burlington, WA typically run Processing time varies; contact Building Department for project-specific timeline. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Burlington, WA. The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs and finish work (specific exemptions based on scope and valuation). Note: Contact Building Department to confirm exemption status for your specific project When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Burlington, WA via: bbuilding@burlingtonwa.gov, 360-755-0077.

last verified April 2026 source City of Burlington Building Department ↗ entry id permits/washington/skagit/burlington

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Burlington Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Burlington

Other jurisdictions in Skagit County.