Okanogan County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All properties in unincorporated areas of Okanogan County.

Department

Building Department

Address

123 North 5th Avenue, Room 115, Okanogan, WA 98840

Phone

509-422-7110

Email

dhigbee@okanogancounty.gov

Website

https://www.okanogancounty.gov/317/Building-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the Building Permit Application Packet (2026 edition) from the county building page.
2. Complete the application. The property owner is always the permit holder; contractors act as agents of the owner.
3. For agricultural buildings, obtain a Site Plan Analysis from the Office of Planning and Development.
4. Coordinate with related departments as applicable: Public Health (septic/wastewater), Planning and Development (site analysis and zoning), Public Works (road approach permits), County Assessor (parcel/address).
5. Submit application with all required documents to the Building Department.
6. Pay required fees.
7. Building Department reviews plans and issues permit.
8. Schedule required inspections (call 24 hours in advance: 509-422-7110).
9. Work must not be concealed before relevant inspections are passed.
10. Certificate of Occupancy issued after successful final inspection.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact Building Department for estimate.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of any building or structure.

Required Documents

• 2026 Building Permit Application Packet
• Property Owner's Permission to Build form (if applicant is not the owner)
• Site plan drawn to scale
• Construction plans/drawings
• Energy code compliance worksheets
• Inspection Check Off List
• Plumbing certification forms (if applicable)
• Design criteria compliance documentation (snow load, seismic, wind, frost)

Permit validity

Permits expire per Washington State Building Code provisions.

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC) with Washington amendments, 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code, and accessibility standards.

Contractor requirements

Contractor registration with Washington State L&I required. Electrical permits obtained separately through Washington State L&I.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Fees based on project valuation (total value of all construction work). Set by the Building Official subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners.

Penalty (no permit)

Investigation fee equal to the permit fee is assessed for unpermitted work, regardless of whether a permit is subsequently issued.

Payment note

Fees changed in 2026. Contact the Building Department at 509-422-7110 for the current fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural fences: orchards, snow breaks, corrals, exotic bird/animal fences
• Agricultural buildings under 4,000 square feet used for storing farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, or livestock (no residential occupancy or processing)
• Minor residential repairs and remodeling when fair market value does not exceed $3,000 (does not apply if project increases square footage or involves structural changes)
• Other exemptions per Section 105 of the IBC/IRC as adopted by Washington State

Important: Zoning regulations (use, setbacks, lot coverage) apply regardless of permit exemption status. A site plan analysis from Planning and Development may be required for agricultural buildings even if a building permit is not required. Any change of occupancy or use of an exempt agricultural building requires a building permit and site plan analysis.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 509-422-7110 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call at least 24 hours in advance. Concrete pours take scheduling precedence.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Time windows

Regional schedule: Local (Okanogan area): Mon-Fri; North Valley: Tue-Thu; Methow Valley: Wed-Fri

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/footings, Framing, Rough-in plumbing, Rough-in mechanical, Electrical rough-in (L&I, separate from county), Insulation, Final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with Washington amendments, 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, Washington State Energy Code, and accessibility standards.
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Building Department
• Permits and Standards
• Inspections
• County Building Code (OCC Ch. 15.02)
• Colville Tribes Coordination
• Washington State L&I (electrical permits and contractor registration)
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub