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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Spokane
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Spokane.
One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft
Fences under 7 feet tall
Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or hazardous liquids)
Water tanks under 5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter ratio under 2:1
Decks, platforms, walks, driveways under 30 inches above adjacent grade
Painting, wallpapering, floor/ceiling finishes, cabinetry, countertops
Temporary motion-picture, TV, or theater stage sets
Prefab above-ground pools under 5,000 gallons for residential use
Shade cloth nursery or agricultural structures without service systems
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft
- Exempt Fences under 7 feet tall
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or hazardous liquids)
- Exempt Water tanks under 5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter ratio under 2:1
- Exempt Decks, platforms, walks, driveways under 30 inches above adjacent grade
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, floor/ceiling finishes, cabinetry, countertops
- Exempt Temporary motion-picture, TV, or theater stage sets
- Exempt Prefab above-ground pools under 5,000 gallons for residential use
- Exempt Shade cloth nursery or agricultural structures without service systems
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Development Services Center before proceeding.
Required documents
- Site plan
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan
- Roof framing plan
- Floor framing plan
- Cross sections
- Exterior elevations
- Energy calculations
- Structural calculations
- Building code
- 2021 International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, International Fuel Gas Code with Washington State amendments
- Permit validity
- Permit must remain active; confirm current expiration rules with Development Services Center.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must comply with Washington State L&I registration and City business license requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold Washington State L&I registration; City business license may be required.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Plan review timelines vary; initial review and resubmittal rounds depend on project complexity and review team capacity.
- 01 Verify address is in Spokane city limits using SCOUT Maps.
- 02 Gather required plans: Site plans, construction drawings, and structural calculations per Plan and Document Standards.
- 03 Create SmartGov portal account and log in to Online Permit Center.
- 04 Select appropriate permit type and submit application.
- 05 Plans are routed to technical review team; email updates provided.
- 06 Pay invoice for plan review and application fees online (credit card, e-check) or by phone.
- 07 Respond to any correction comments and upload revised documents if required.
- 08 Schedule inspections via Online Permit Center or by calling (509) 720-5350.
Typical processing time: Plan review timelines vary; initial review and resubmittal rounds depend on project complexity and review team capacity.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective January 21, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$73.00
02
Plan check fee
65% of building permit fee (commercial/multi-family 3+ units); 50% (SFR/duplexes/ADUs); 25% (accessory structures/additions/remodels)
03
Permit fee formula
Tiered by value of work: $73 base for $1-$2,000; $13 per $1,000 over $2,000 up to $25,000; $10 per $1,000 ($25k-$50k); $7 per $1,000 ($50k-$100k); $5 per $1,000 ($100k-$500k); $4 per $1,000 ($500k-$1M); $3 per $1,000 over $1M
04
Trade permit fee
Included in building permit
05
Reinspection fee
$150.00
06
Penalty (no permit)
Greater of 2x inspection fee or $300 for work without permit or investigative fees
Credit card payments: 2.5% convenience fee. No surcharge for check or cash payments at Development Services Center.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective January 21, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Spokane Permit Portal (online)
- (509) 720-5350 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests submitted before 7 a.m. are typically performed same business day; requests after 7 a.m. are generally next business day.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday (hours vary by inspection type)
- Time windows
- Timing depends on inspection type and inspector availability.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence varies by project type. Common inspections: foundation, framing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical (through L&I for most jurisdictions), final. Confirm specific sequence with Development Services Center.
Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the city's discretion.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Spokane permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Spokane, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Spokane.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Spokane, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Spokane, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $73.00. Fees are calculated as: Tiered by value of work: $73 base for $1-$2,000; $13 per $1,000 over $2,000 up to $25,000; $10 per $1,000 ($25k-$50k); $7 per $1,000 ($50k-$100k); $5 per $1,000 ($100k-$500k); $4 per $1,000 ($500k-$1M); $3 per $1,000 over $1M. Plan check fee: 65% of building permit fee (commercial/multi-family 3+ units); 50% (SFR/duplexes/ADUs); 25% (accessory structures/additions/remodels).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Spokane, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Spokane, WA, follow these steps: 1. Verify address is in Spokane city limits using SCOUT Maps. 2. Gather required plans: Site plans, construction drawings, and structural calculations per Plan and Document Standards. 3. Create SmartGov portal account and log in to Online Permit Center. 4. Select appropriate permit type and submit application. 5. Plans are routed to technical review team; email updates provided. 6. Pay invoice for plan review and application fees online (credit card, e-check) or by phone. 7. Respond to any correction comments and upload revised documents if required. 8. Schedule inspections via Online Permit Center or by calling (509) 720-5350.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Spokane, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Spokane, WA typically run Plan review timelines vary; initial review and resubmittal rounds depend on project complexity and review team capacity.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Spokane, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Spokane, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft; Fences under 7 feet tall; Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or hazardous liquids); Water tanks under 5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter ratio under 2:1; Decks, platforms, walks, driveways under 30 inches above adjacent grade; Painting, wallpapering, floor/ceiling finishes, cabinetry, countertops; Temporary motion-picture, TV, or theater stage sets; Prefab above-ground pools under 5,000 gallons for residential use; Shade cloth nursery or agricultural structures without service systems. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Development Services Center before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Spokane, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Spokane, WA via: Spokane Permit Portal, (509) 720-5350. Requests submitted before 7 a.m. are typically performed same business day; requests after 7 a.m. are generally next business day..
last verified April 2026
source Development Services Center (Building Services) ↗
entry id permits/washington/spokane/spokane
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Development Services Center (Building Services) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.