Klickitat County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Klickitat County, including the Columbia River Gorge (south), the Simcoe Mountains and Wind River highlands, and the high desert plateau.

Department

Klickitat County Building Department

Address

115 W. Court St., Room 301, Goldendale, WA 98620

Phone

(509) 773-3706

Email

buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org

Website

https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/198/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. If yes, obtain Gorge Commission approval first before proceeding with the county permit application.
2. Determine whether the project is within or adjacent to Yakama Nation trust or reservation lands; verify jurisdiction if applicable.
3. Download and complete the building permit application from the county website or pick up in person at 115 W. Court St., Room 301.
4. Prepare the following required documents: completed application form, vicinity sketch/map to property (include gate codes and access notes), site plan showing all 10 required items (property lines, setbacks, existing structures, proposed structure location, easements, utilities, driveway access, septic/well locations, drainage, dimensions), and two sets of structural drawings (foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, truss layout, specification sheets).
5. Submit application in person at the Building Department (Room 301) or by mail.
6. Application is routed internally to other departments, including Health Department (for water availability and sewage disposal approval).
7. Pay applicable permit and plan review fees at time of permit issuance.
8. Upon permit issuance, receive the permit card and inspection card listing required inspection stages.
9. Post permit card at the job site.
10. Call to schedule required inspections at least one business day in advance.
11. Pass final inspection; obtain certificate of occupancy if required.

Typical processing time: Processing time not specified; contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current turnaround.

Source: Klickitat County Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required prior to the construction, erection, alteration, repair, move, demolition, or change of use of any building or structure in unincorporated Klickitat County.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Vicinity sketch / map to the property (include gate codes, access notes, and any hazards for the inspector)
• Site plan showing all 10 required items
• Two sets of structural drawings (foundation plan, floor plan, cross-section, truss layout, and truss specification sheets)

Building code

KCC Title 15 (Building Construction) — adopting 2021 IBC with WA amendments, effective March 15, 2024; KCC Title 16 (Factory Assembled Structures); Washington State Energy Code; applicable SEPA and environmental review requirements

Owner-builder

Property owners may apply. Owner-builder restrictions and disclosure requirements apply per Washington state law.

Contractor requirements

Washington L&I contractor registration is required for any contractor performing work in the county. Property owners and Washington-registered contractors may apply.

Fees

Plan check fee

Plan review fee charged in addition to the permit fee

Permit fee formula

Based on project valuation per Table 15-A and Table 15-B of Klickitat County Code (KCC Title 15, Chapters 15.06 and 15.08). Fee calculation is valuation-based consistent with ICC Building Valuation Data tables.

Payment note

Current fee schedule is available on the Codes and Provisions page of the county website. Contact Building Department at (509) 773-3706 or buildingdept@klickitatcounty.org for current fees.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 1, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool sheds, playhouses, and similar, where floor area does not exceed 120 square feet
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (bottom of footing to top of wall) that are not supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity is 5,000 gallons or less and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over any basement or story below
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to residential occupancy where the pool walls are entirely above grade and the pool capacity is 5,000 gallons or less
• Minor plumbing repairs: stopping leaks; clearing stoppages; repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures; reinstallation of water closets — provided no replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures is involved

Important: Exempt work must still comply with all building code provisions and other applicable county ordinances. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area land use review may still apply to exempt construction within the Scenic Area boundary regardless of permit exemption status. Wind energy projects on unincorporated county land require an Energy Overlay Zone (EOZ) permit from the Planning Department in addition to any applicable building permits.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (509) 773-3706 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be submitted at least one full business day prior to the desired inspection date. Requests received late will be scheduled for the next available inspection day in that area of the county.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (phone lines; phones shut off at 4:30 PM to prepare inspector files)

Typical inspection sequence: The inspection card issued with the permit lists the specific required inspections for each project. Common residential stages include: footing, foundation, under-slab, framing, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, insulation, and final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: KCC Title 15 (Building Construction) — adopting 2021 IBC with WA amendments, effective March 15, 2024; KCC Title 16 (Factory Assembled Structures); Washington State Energy Code; applicable SEPA and environmental review requirements
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• KCC Title 15 (Building Construction, effective March 15, 2024)
• KCC Title 16 (Factory Assembled Structures)
• Residential Building Permit Information Brochure (April 2024)
• Klickitat County Planning Department (zoning, land use, wind EOZ)
• Columbia River Gorge Commission
• Gorge Commission Planning and Permits
• Washington L&I Electrical Permits and Inspections
• L&I Vancouver Office (Klickitat County electrical permits)
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub