City Building Permits
Sumner, WA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Sumner, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Sumner.
- Department
- Permit Center
- Address
- 1104 Maple Street, Sumner, WA 98390
- Phone
- (253) 299-5530
- allisonj@sumnerwa.gov
- Website
- https://www.sumnerwa.gov/permits
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Research Development Specifications & Design Standards for infrastructure requirements.
- Check Zoning Code for allowable uses and standards.
- Use pre-application opportunity (encouraged for success).
- Create account in Self Service system.
- Submit complete application with all required documentation.
- Pay fees as invoiced.
- Schedule inspections through online portal using same login.
Typical processing time: Processing time varies by project complexity.
Source: Permit Center
General Requirements
A building permit is required for construction within the City of Sumner.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Site plan and construction drawings
- Project specifications
- Permit validity
- Building permits are valid for 180 days from issuance unless extended.
- Building code
- 2021 Washington State Building Code with amendments (2021 cycle WSBC/WSRC, effective October 29, 2023).
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may act as owner-builders; confirm requirements with Permit Center.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I. Adopted Codes: 2021 cycle of Washington State Building Codes (WSBC/WSRC) effective October 29, 2023. Climatic Design Criteria: Ground Snow Load 25 lbs/sq ft, Wind Speed 110 mph, Seismic Design Category D-2, Frost Line Depth 12 inches, Winter Design Temp 17 degrees.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $25
- Plan check fee
- 65% of building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Based on valuation: $1-$500 = $25; $501-$2,000 = $25 + $3.05 per $100 over $500; $2,001-$25,000 = $69.25 + $14 per $1,000 over $2,000; continues in graduated brackets to $1,000,001+ = $5,608.75 + $3.65 per $1,000 over $1,000,000
- Payment note
- Fees paid through online portal or in person.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Permit Center to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Self Service portal (online)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule inspections well in advance.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday during business hours (confirm with Permit Center)
- Time windows
- Inspection windows vary by project phase.
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections required at various construction phases. Final inspection required before occupancy.
Contact Permit Center for remote inspection options.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 Washington State Building Code with amendments (2021 cycle WSBC/WSRC, effective October 29, 2023).
- Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
- School Impact Fee (Sumner-Bonney Lake School District): $4,573.27 SFD / $2,244.08 Multi-Family
- Park Impact Fee: $100 per dwelling unit
- No-charge predevelopment project review available
- Multi-family Property Tax Exemption program
- License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Permit Center before applying.
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