Ridgefield, WA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Ridgefield.

Department

City of Ridgefield Community Development Department

Address

City Hall, Ridgefield, WA

Website

https://ci-ridgefield-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Pre-application conference (optional but recommended).
2. Submit application through SmartGov portal.
3. Pay fees at time of application.
4. Plan review (Building and other departments as needed).
5. Permit issuance upon approval.
6. Schedule inspections.

Source: City of Ridgefield Community Development Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction work within the City of Ridgefield.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Supporting documentation as required

Building code

2021 Washington State Building Codes (adopted), International Building Code with WA amendments, International Residential Code with WA amendments

Contractor requirements

Simultaneous Development Permit Submittal: Applicants may submit for Land Use, Public Works/Engineering, and Building permits simultaneously. Public Works/Engineering and Building permits NOT issued until final Land Use permits issued. External consultant fees may be passed to applicant and must be paid in full prior to final approval.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30.00

Plan check fee

Minimum $300.00 or 25% of Building Permit Fee (whichever is greater); Standard: 65% of Building Permit Fee

Permit fee formula

Tiered scale: $1-$500: $30.00; $501-$2,000: $55.00 + $11.00 per $1,000; $2,001-$25,000: $410.00 + $16.00 per $1,000; $25,001-$50,000: $685.00 + $8.00 per $1,000; $50,001-$100,000: $1,125.00 + $6.00 per $1,000; $100,001-$500,000: $3,740.00 + $5.00 per $1,000; $500,001-$1,000,000: $8,113.00 + $5.00 per $1,000; Over $1,000,000: $55,000.00 maximum

Reinspection fee

$85.00 per hour (2-hour minimum)

Payment note

Impact Fees (due at building permit issuance): School Impact Fees (varies by district), Traffic Impact Fees (per dwelling unit or per average daily trip for commercial), Park Impact Fees (per dwelling unit), Water System Development Charges (based on meter size). Inspection Fees: Base cost per hour $55.00; Outside normal hours $85.00 per hour (4-hour minimum).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Ridgefield Community Development Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• SmartGov portal (online)
• Call Building Department (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection types: Foundation/Early Start (special agreement may be required), Framing, Plumbing, Mechanical, Final inspection. External consultant fees for plan checking/inspections passed to applicant.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Washington State Building Codes (adopted), International Building Code with WA amendments, International Residential Code with WA amendments
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

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