City Building Permits

Moses Lake, WA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Moses Lake, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Washington Grant County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Moses Lake.

Department
Community Development Department - Building Division
Address
321 S. Balsam St., Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone
(509) 764-3745
Website
https://www.cityofml.com

Online Permit Portal

Open City of Moses Lake Public Permitting Portal

Platform: Custom Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Visit www.cityofml.com/permit and create an account or sign in.
  2. Select the appropriate permit type for your project.
  3. Upload all required documents including site plan, construction plans, and project details.
  4. Pay the review fee and technology fee upon acceptance of permit package.
  5. City staff reviews completeness and routes plans for technical review.
  6. Respond to any correction comments and upload revised documents if required.
  7. Pay the permit fee before permit release and issuance.

Typical processing time: Variable; dependent on project complexity and completeness of initial submittal.

Source: Community Development Department - Building Division

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, remodels, additions, ADUs, interior improvements, conversions, demolitions, fences over 8 feet, covered porches 200 sq ft or larger, retaining walls 4 feet or higher, mobile home placement, re-roofing, solar installation, signs, mechanical/plumbing work, and other construction activities.

Required Documents

  • Building permit application (submitted online)
  • Site plan showing property lines, setbacks, and existing/proposed structures
  • Complete floor plans (existing and proposed)
  • Elevations
  • Wall details and cross-sections
  • Truss engineering (if applicable)
  • Floor engineering (if applicable)
  • WSEC (Washington State Energy Code) worksheets
  • Gas piping schematic (if applicable)
  • Structural plans and calculations
  • Foundation plan
  • Framing plan
  • Energy compliance forms
  • Agent Authorization Form (if applicable)
Permit validity
Permits expire if no inspection is passed within applicable timeframe.
Building code
2021 Washington State Building Codes
Contractor requirements
All contractors and subcontractors must have a current City of Moses Lake Business License before permit approval.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$30.00
Plan check fee
65% of Building Permit Fee
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based fee structure: $1-$500: $30; $501-$2,000: $30 for first $500 + $3.05 per additional $100; $2,001-$25,000: $75.75 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per additional $1,000; and additional brackets up to $5,615.25 base for $1,000,001+
Payment note
Accepts cash, checks, credit cards (in person, over phone, or through online portal)

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft
  • Finish work: painting, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops
  • Retaining walls under 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge)
  • Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
  • Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches from exterior wall (no additional support needed)
  • Swing sets and playground equipment
  • Detached decks under 200 sq ft, less than 30 inches above grade, not attached to dwelling, and not serving required exit door
  • Reroofing single-family dwelling/private garage if less than 25% of sheathing replaced
  • Replacing siding over existing siding/sheathing
  • Portable heating and cooling units
  • Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks (without pipe/valve/fixture replacement)

Important: Verify edge cases with the Building Inspection Division before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
At least 24 hours in advance, or by 5:00 pm for next-day inspections; specific time requests should be made by 8:30 am day of inspection.
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/footing, Framing/rough-in, Plumbing rough-in, Mechanical rough-in, Electrical rough-in (L&I), Insulation, Drywall, Final inspection.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Community Development Department - Building Division 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 the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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