City Building Permits

Town of South Cle Elum, WA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of South Cle Elum, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Washington Kittitas County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated Town of South Cle Elum. Building permit services administered by Kittitas County CDS under interlocal arrangement.

Department
Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement
Address
411 N. Ruby Street, Suite 2, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (for permits); Town Hall: 523 Lincoln Avenue, South Cle Elum, WA 98943
Phone
(509) 962-7506 (CDS) or (509) 674-4322 (Town Hall)
Website
https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/building/default.aspx

Online Permit Portal

Open

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Complete Water Availability and Preliminary Site Analysis (required before applying).
  2. Download application forms from Kittitas County CDS at co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/forms.aspx (General Building Application or Foundation-Only Application).
  3. Prepare construction documents: site plan, floor plans, foundation plans, roof framing plans, elevations, cross sections. Plans must be to minimum 1/4-inch scale on 11" x 17" sheets; two sets required.
  4. Submit application electronically via Kittitas County CDS upload portal or in-person at 411 N. Ruby St., Suite 2, Ellensburg.
  5. Plan review conducted (2-week target for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, and Full Review as of February 2026).
  6. Pay fees and receive permit.
  7. Schedule inspections through CDS inspection request line.

Typical processing time: 2 weeks for Foundation-Only, Fast Track, or Full Review (as of February 2026)

Source: Community Development Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement

General Requirements

Any property owner or authorized representative planning construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition, or occupancy changes must submit a complete application.

Required Documents

  • Completed General Building Application (signed)
  • Vicinity map
  • Site plan showing lot lines, setbacks, existing and proposed buildings with dimensions, surface water/wetlands, north arrow, address, access driveways, road name, septic and well locations with setbacks
  • Floor plans
  • Foundation plans
  • Roof framing plans
  • Elevations
  • Cross sections and construction details
  • Plans drawn to minimum 1/4-inch scale on minimum 11" x 17" sheets; two sets required
  • Environmental checklist (SEPA) if applicable
  • Supplemental information required by County Engineer or Public Works
Permit validity
Not specified; contact Kittitas County CDS for details.
Building code
2021 I-Codes (IBC, IRC, UPC, IMC, IFC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024); International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) as adopted by Kittitas County
Contractor requirements
Washington State contractor registration required. Verify at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$150 (permit issuance fee)
Permit fee formula
Hourly rate ($140/hour) or by square-foot valuation or bid amount as determined by CDS
Payment note
Base fees: permit issuance $150, application/permit extension $70. Use permit fee estimator at co.kittitas.wa.us/cds/building/permit-fee-estimator.aspx for project-specific estimates.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Current schedule on Kittitas County CDS site).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Residential accessory structures up to 200 sq ft with no plumbing or mechanical systems, set 10+ feet from other structures and meeting setback requirements
  • Non-residential accessory structures (storage buildings) up to 120 sq ft
  • Fences under 7 feet tall
  • Retaining walls under 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall)
  • Cosmetic work: painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinetry (non-structural)
  • Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep
  • Sidewalks and driveways under 30 inches above grade
  • Playground equipment for single/two-family homes

Important: Exemptions do not authorize work in violation of the building code. All work, including exempt work, must comply with applicable zoning, setback, and critical area requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (509) 962-7694 — CDS Inspection Request Line (phone)
  • cds@co.kittitas.wa.us (email)
  • Inspection request form (online)
Scheduling deadline
Requests submitted by 2:00 PM typically scheduled the next business day.
Inspection hours
Inspections 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical stages: form/rebar before concrete pour, hole inspection (pole buildings before backfill), under-floor, exterior shear wall nailing, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in, fire sprinkler (if applicable), framing, insulation, 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 Services (Kittitas County CDS) via interlocal agreement 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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