Whitman County, WA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Whitman County, including communities such as Colton, Endicott, Malden, Lamont, St. John, Uniontown, and others. Do not use this division for City of Colfax, City of Pullman, City of Palouse, or City of Tekoa — those cities handle their own permits.

Department

Building & Development Division, Whitman County

Address

310 N. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Colfax, WA 99111

Phone

(509) 397-6206

Website

https://www.whitmancounty.gov/268/Building-Development-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the Whitman County Building Permit Application from whitmancounty.gov/268 or call (509) 397-6206 to request forms.
2. Complete the application with project details, property information, and owner/contractor information.
3. Gather supporting documents: site plan showing property lines and setbacks; construction drawings appropriate to scope (structural framing, mechanical, plumbing plans for larger projects).
4. Submit application package to the 2nd Floor office at 310 N. Main Street, Colfax, or mail to P.O. Box 430, Colfax, WA 99111.
5. Division staff (David Werner, Permit Technician) will process the application. Valuation is determined by multiplying square footage by the applicable cost per square foot from the Building Valuation Data sheet.
6. Plan review fees and permit fees are assessed.
7. Pay fees to the county.
8. Permit is issued. Post permit on job site.
9. Schedule required inspections by calling (509) 397-5217 with one business day advance notice.
10. Obtain final inspection approval. Certificate of Occupancy is issued for applicable structures.

Typical processing time: Not specified; contact Permit Technician David Werner at (509) 397-6206 for estimate. Plan review timeframe varies by project complexity.

Source: Building & Development Division, Whitman County

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new residential and commercial construction, additions, structural alterations, full roofing replacements, mechanical system installation/replacement, structural plumbing work, demolition, agricultural structures, and manufactured home installation.

Required Documents

• Completed Whitman County Building Permit Application
• Site plan showing property lines and setbacks
• Construction drawings appropriate to project scope

Permit validity

Permit becomes null and void if construction is not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if construction is suspended or abandoned for 180 days at any time after work begins. Extensions may be granted before expiration if circumstances beyond permittee's control prevented progress.

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024).

Contractor requirements

All contractors performing paid construction work must be registered with Washington State L&I (RCW 18.27). Registration numbers must appear on permit applications, vehicles, and advertising. Bond requirements (2026): General Contractor $30,000; Specialty Contractor $15,000.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$95.00

Plan check fee

Approximately 65% of permit fee (verify with division)

Permit fee formula

Valuation is calculated by multiplying structure square footage by the cost-per-square-foot rate from the ICC Building Valuation Data table for the applicable occupancy and construction type. Permit fees are assessed on calculated valuation using a tiered fee table.

Reinspection fee

Charged each time inspector must return for re-inspection because work was not ready as scheduled

Payment note

Contact Permit Technician David Werner at (509) 397-6206 for fee estimate. Download the 2025 Fee Estimator PDF or contact the division before submitting application for budget planning.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Structures with total construction valuation under $800 do not require a county building permit (more restrictive than the state $1,500 standard under RCW 19.27.060(7); this is Whitman County's local threshold).
• Agricultural structures (for farm implements, hay, grain, livestock — not for human habitation or food processing) require a permit, but fees are limited to cost-recovery only under RCW 19.27.015.
• Temporary polyethylene-roofed growing structures for plant frost protection are exempt from state building code per RCW 19.27.065.
• Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes (not including service systems) are exempt.

Important: Permit exemptions do not exempt work from substantive code compliance requirements. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is not exempt under low-value thresholds and must be permitted separately through Washington State L&I (electrical) or directly with county (plumbing, mechanical).

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (509) 397-5217 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call with at least one business day advance notice. With one day notice, inspections can generally be scheduled at a time convenient for the property owner.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (confirm by phone; hours not specified on website as of research date).

Typical inspection sequence: Inspectors travel throughout the county (3,705 miles logged in 2024, averaging ~58 miles per inspection day). Advance scheduling is important for rural locations. Standard inspection stages per IBC/IRC.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024).
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Whitman County Planning Division
• County Code of Ordinances
• Washington State L&I (Electrical Permits & Inspections)
• L&I Electrical Permit Search
• Whitman County Public Health (Septic/Land Development)
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Whitman County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

Building permits are required for new residential and commercial construction, additions, structural alterations, full roofing replacements, mechanical system installation/replacement, structural plumbing work, demolition, agricultural structures, and manufactured home installation.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

The minimum permit fee is $95.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation is calculated by multiplying structure square footage by the cost-per-square-foot rate from the ICC Building Valuation Data table for the applicable occupancy and construction type. Permit fees are assessed on calculated valuation using a tiered fee table.. Plan check fee: Approximately 65% of permit fee (verify with division).

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

1. Download the Whitman County Building Permit Application from whitmancounty.gov/268 or call (509) 397-6206 to request forms. 2. Complete the application with project details, property information, and owner/contractor information. 3. Gather supporting documents: site plan showing property lines and setbacks; construction drawings appropriate to scope (structural framing, mechanical, plumbing plans for larger projects). 4. Submit application package to the 2nd Floor office at 310 N. Main Street, Colfax, or mail to P.O. Box 430, Colfax, WA 99111. 5. Division staff (David Werner, Permit Technician) will process the application. Valuation is determined by multiplying square footage by the applicable cost per square foot from the Building Valuation Data sheet. 6. Plan review fees and permit fees are assessed. 7. Pay fees to the county. 8. Permit is issued. Post permit on job site. 9. Schedule required inspections by calling (509) 397-5217 with one business day advance notice. 10. Obtain final inspection approval. Certificate of Occupancy is issued for applicable structures.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

Typical processing time is Not specified; contact Permit Technician David Werner at (509) 397-6206 for estimate. Plan review timeframe varies by project complexity..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

The following work is generally exempt: Structures with total construction valuation under $800 do not require a county building permit (more restrictive than the state $1,500 standard under RCW 19.27.060(7); this is Whitman County's local threshold).; Agricultural structures (for farm implements, hay, grain, livestock — not for human habitation or food processing) require a permit, but fees are limited to cost-recovery only under RCW 19.27.015.; Temporary polyethylene-roofed growing structures for plant frost protection are exempt from state building code per RCW 19.27.065.; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes (not including service systems) are exempt.. Note: Permit exemptions do not exempt work from substantive code compliance requirements. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is not exempt under low-value thresholds and must be permitted separately through Washington State L&I (electrical) or directly with county (plumbing, mechanical).

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Whitman County, WA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (509) 397-5217. Call with at least one business day advance notice. With one day notice, inspections can generally be scheduled at a time convenient for the property owner..