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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cathlamet
Building permits are required for all structural modifications and new construction within Town of Cathlamet limits.
Sidewalks, driveways, and patios at grade level
Fences 6 feet high or less
Decks less than 30 inches above grade and under 200 square feet in area
Detached recreational structures without plumbing or conditioned air (e.g., simple storage shed)
Non-structural maintenance and repair (painting, flooring replacement, cabinet replacement)
- Exempt Sidewalks, driveways, and patios at grade level
- Exempt Fences 6 feet high or less
- Exempt Decks less than 30 inches above grade and under 200 square feet in area
- Exempt Detached recreational structures without plumbing or conditioned air (e.g., simple storage shed)
- Exempt Non-structural maintenance and repair (painting, flooring replacement, cabinet replacement)
Note: Exempt structures must still comply with zoning setbacks and other land-use regulations. Contact Town Hall at (360) 795-3203 for zoning questions.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application form
- Site plan (scaled drawing showing property boundaries, setbacks, and location of all structures)
- Construction plans (floor plan, elevations, cross-sections)
- For new residences: approved potable water source and sewer/septic documentation from Wahkiakum County Environmental Health
- For shoreline or waterfront work: SEPA Checklist and Washington State Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA)
- For manufactured homes: manufacturer data plate, HUD label, setup specifications
- Building code
- 2018 International Building Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC) and Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11C) per Cathlamet Municipal Code Chapter 15.10. Note: confirm current code adoption status with the Building Inspector, as Cathlamet's municipal code still references the 2018 suite while the county has adopted the 2021 IBC suite.
- Permit validity
- Confirm with Building Inspector; standard Washington state exemptions apply.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may apply if they are not using a contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be registered with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Varies based on project complexity and staff workload; contact department for current estimates.
- 01 Determine permit need using Town of Cathlamet's 'Do I Need a Permit?' resource or contact the Building Inspector.
- 02 Call ahead to confirm all required documents before submitting (applications missing required items will be rejected).
- 03 Schedule an appointment by calling (360) 795-3067 or (360) 849-9406. Do not arrive without an appointment as the inspector is frequently in the field.
- 04 Prepare application documents: building permit application form, site plan, construction drawings, water/sewer approvals (for residences), SEPA documentation (for waterfront work), and manufacturer data plates (for manufactured homes).
- 05 Submit application and pay fees in person at 64 Main Street (by appointment) or by email to hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us.
- 06 County staff reviews application for code compliance. Contact department for current review turnaround.
- 07 Permit card is issued upon approval and approval; must be posted at the job site.
- 08 Schedule required inspections at each construction stage.
- 09 Final inspection required before occupancy.
Typical processing time: Varies based on project complexity and staff workload; contact department for current estimates.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cathlamet building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Based on project valuation. Specific amounts not published online; contact (360) 795-3067 for current fee quote.
02
Reinspection fee
Charged when work is not ready at time of scheduled inspection.
Fees paid at time of application. Overbilled inspection fees are invoiced quarterly after reinspections.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building Inspection Request Form (online) (form)
- Building Inspector: (360) 795-6100 ext. 104 or cell (360) 353-8074 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspector is in the field on Tuesdays (11 AM–3 PM) and Thursdays (8 AM–3 PM); schedule accordingly.
- Inspection hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office); Tuesday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Wednesday: Closed to public; Thursday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Friday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office)
Typical sequence: Typical sequence for new construction: foundation/footing (before concrete pour), framing (before insulation or drywall), insulation (per energy code), rough mechanical/plumbing (coordinate with L&I), final inspection (all work complete, site clean, address posted).
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Cathlamet permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
Building permits are required for all structural modifications and new construction within Town of Cathlamet limits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in Cathlamet, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Based on project valuation. Specific amounts not published online; contact (360) 795-3067 for current fee quote..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Cathlamet, WA, follow these steps: 1. Determine permit need using Town of Cathlamet's 'Do I Need a Permit?' resource or contact the Building Inspector. 2. Call ahead to confirm all required documents before submitting (applications missing required items will be rejected). 3. Schedule an appointment by calling (360) 795-3067 or (360) 849-9406. Do not arrive without an appointment as the inspector is frequently in the field. 4. Prepare application documents: building permit application form, site plan, construction drawings, water/sewer approvals (for residences), SEPA documentation (for waterfront work), and manufacturer data plates (for manufactured homes). 5. Submit application and pay fees in person at 64 Main Street (by appointment) or by email to hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us. 6. County staff reviews application for code compliance. Contact department for current review turnaround. 7. Permit card is issued upon approval and approval; must be posted at the job site. 8. Schedule required inspections at each construction stage. 9. Final inspection required before occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Cathlamet, WA typically run Varies based on project complexity and staff workload; contact department for current estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Cathlamet, WA. The following work is generally exempt: Sidewalks, driveways, and patios at grade level; Fences 6 feet high or less; Decks less than 30 inches above grade and under 200 square feet in area; Detached recreational structures without plumbing or conditioned air (e.g., simple storage shed); Non-structural maintenance and repair (painting, flooring replacement, cabinet replacement). Note: Exempt structures must still comply with zoning setbacks and other land-use regulations. Contact Town Hall at (360) 795-3203 for zoning questions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Cathlamet, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Cathlamet, WA via: Building Inspection Request Form (online), Building Inspector: (360) 795-6100 ext. 104 or cell (360) 353-8074. Inspector is in the field on Tuesdays (11 AM–3 PM) and Thursdays (8 AM–3 PM); schedule accordingly..
last verified April 2026
source Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department (administers permits on behalf of the Town of Cathlamet) ↗
entry id permits/washington/wahkiakum/cathlamet
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department (administers permits on behalf of the Town of Cathlamet) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.