State Building Permits

Washington Building Permit Guides

Permit authority, application process, fees, and requirements for all 39 counties and hundreds of cities across Washington State. Select your county to find your local permit guide.

39 Counties 234 Jurisdictions Updated March 2026

How Washington State Permitting Works

Washington building permits are issued at the local city or county level. The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) adopts model codes — currently the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with Washington amendments, effective March 15, 2024 — but enforcement is the responsibility of each jurisdiction under RCW 19.27.

Electrical permits are administered statewide by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) for most jurisdictions. Seattle is a notable exception and runs its own electrical permit program. For all other permits (building, mechanical, plumbing), apply with the city or county where your property is located.

All contractors performing paid construction work in Washington must be registered with L&I under RCW 18.27. Verify any contractor's current registration status at secure.lni.wa.gov/verify before hiring. Select your county below to find the permit authority, portal links, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements that apply to your project.

Washington Counties

Adams County 6 jurisdictions → Asotin County 3 jurisdictions → Benton County 6 jurisdictions → Chelan County 6 jurisdictions → Clallam County 4 jurisdictions → Clark County 8 jurisdictions → Columbia County 3 jurisdictions → Cowlitz County 5 jurisdictions → Douglas County 5 jurisdictions → Ferry County 2 jurisdictions → Franklin County 5 jurisdictions → Garfield County 2 jurisdictions → Grant County 8 jurisdictions → Grays Harbor County 7 jurisdictions → Island County 4 jurisdictions → Jefferson County 2 jurisdictions → King County 20 jurisdictions → Kitsap County 5 jurisdictions → Kittitas County 5 jurisdictions → Klickitat County 4 jurisdictions → Lewis County 6 jurisdictions → Lincoln County 6 jurisdictions → Mason County 2 jurisdictions → Okanogan County 7 jurisdictions → Pacific County 5 jurisdictions → Pend Oreille County 5 jurisdictions → Pierce County 13 jurisdictions → San Juan County 2 jurisdictions → Skagit County 8 jurisdictions → Skamania County 3 jurisdictions → Snohomish County 14 jurisdictions → Spokane County 8 jurisdictions → Stevens County 6 jurisdictions → Thurston County 8 jurisdictions → Wahkiakum County 2 jurisdictions → Walla Walla County 5 jurisdictions → Whatcom County 9 jurisdictions → Whitman County 5 jurisdictions → Yakima County 10 jurisdictions →

Related Washington Resources

Contract Template Free Washington homeowner-contractor agreement → WA L&I Contractor Lookup Verify a Washington contractor registration →

Statewide Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with your local building department before applying.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from your local permit authority. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Contractor registration questions should be confirmed directly with Washington State L&I. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.