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§ WA Whatcom County
County building permits

Unincorporated Whatcom County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS)

Street address
5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226-9097
Phone
(360) 778-5900
Email
pds@co.whatcom.wa.us
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of Whatcom County not within incorporated cities.
Online portal
Whatcom County Online Permit Portal
Email/Online Portal
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Whatcom County

A building permit is required for most construction in unincorporated Whatcom County.

One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (may still require zoning approval)
Fences not over 7 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
Decks/platforms not more than 30 inches above grade
Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools entirely above ground
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (may still require zoning approval)
  • Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high
  • Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
  • Exempt Decks/platforms not more than 30 inches above grade
  • Exempt Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and similar finish work
  • Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools entirely above ground

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from land use/zoning compliance, critical areas review, or Health Department approval (septic/well). Contact PDS for specific exemption verification.

Required documents
  • Completed application forms
  • Site plans
  • Construction plans (drawn to scale)
  • Valuation information
  • Critical areas documentation (if applicable)
  • SEPA checklist (if required)
Building code
International Building Code, International Residential Code, Washington State Energy Code, Whatcom County Code Title 15 (Building and Construction), Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning)
Permit validity
Contact PDS for permit validity terms.
Contractor requirements
Washington State L&I contractor registration required. Whatcom County business license may be required for certain work.

Source: Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; pre-application meeting is critical first step

  1. 01
    Determine if pre-application screen meeting is required (required for commercial projects; recommended for residential).
  2. 02
    Schedule pre-application meeting by calling (360) 778-5900 with Building Department supervisor.
  3. 03
    Prepare building permit application, site plans, construction plans (scale drawings), valuation information, and critical areas documentation (if applicable).
  4. 04
    Obtain SEPA checklist if required.
  5. 05
    Submit application and plans via email to ePermits@co.whatcom.wa.us in unlocked, editable PDF format.
  6. 06
    Schedule permit submittal appointment (Monday-Friday) by calling (360) 778-5900; have pre-application number and tax parcel number ready.
  7. 07
    Pay building permit deposit at submittal.
  8. 08
    County reviews plans and issues permit upon approval.
  9. 09
    Schedule required inspections through online portal, email, or phone.

Typical processing time: Varies; pre-application meeting is critical first step

Source: Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2026

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Deposit required at application submittal; deducted from total permit cost
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee calculation
03
Permit fee formula
Based on valuation of proposed structure, proximity to critical areas, and number of proposed mechanical and plumbing fixtures
04
Reinspection fee
May apply for work not ready or corrections not made

Building Permit Estimate Worksheet (XLS) available. Estimated fees for 2,000 sq ft/$450K home: ~$3,200 building permit + ~$2,000 plan review = ~$5,200 total. Additional fees may apply for shoreline permits, critical areas review, encroachment permits, current planning permits, fire permits, septic permits (Health Department), and well permits.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday during standard business hours

Typical sequence: Required inspections: foundation/footing, underslab rough-in, framing (including shear walls), rough electrical, rough plumbing (testing required), rough mechanical, insulation and air sealing, duct testing (if forced air), final building, final electrical, final plumbing, final mechanical, blower door test (energy code compliance).

Source: Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Whatcom County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
A building permit is required for most construction in unincorporated Whatcom County.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Deposit required at application submittal; deducted from total permit cost. Fees are calculated as: Based on valuation of proposed structure, proximity to critical areas, and number of proposed mechanical and plumbing fixtures. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee calculation.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA, follow these steps: 1. Determine if pre-application screen meeting is required (required for commercial projects; recommended for residential). 2. Schedule pre-application meeting by calling (360) 778-5900 with Building Department supervisor. 3. Prepare building permit application, site plans, construction plans (scale drawings), valuation information, and critical areas documentation (if applicable). 4. Obtain SEPA checklist if required. 5. Submit application and plans via email to ePermits@co.whatcom.wa.us in unlocked, editable PDF format. 6. Schedule permit submittal appointment (Monday-Friday) by calling (360) 778-5900; have pre-application number and tax parcel number ready. 7. Pay building permit deposit at submittal. 8. County reviews plans and issues permit upon approval. 9. Schedule required inspections through online portal, email, or phone.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA typically run Varies; pre-application meeting is critical first step. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (may still require zoning approval); Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high; Decks/platforms not more than 30 inches above grade; Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools entirely above ground. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from land use/zoning compliance, critical areas review, or Health Department approval (septic/well). Contact PDS for specific exemption verification. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Whatcom County, WA via: Online Permit Portal, Email requests to PDS, (360) 778-5900.
last verified April 2026 source Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) ↗ entry id permits/washington/whatcom/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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