County Building Permits

San Juan County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated San Juan County, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Washington Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of San Juan County, including all of Orcas Island, Lopez Island, Shaw Island, and all smaller islands. Friday Harbor is the only incorporated municipality in the county.

Department
San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD), Building Division
Address
135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (Mailing: P.O. Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250)
Phone
(360) 378-2116 (Building Division), (360) 378-2354 (Planning/Permits), (360) 378-6270 (Inspection Hotline)
Website
https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/509/Building

Online Permit Portal

Open SJC Permit Center (SmartGov)

Platform: SmartGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Optional: Schedule a pre-application conference with DCD staff (360-378-2354 or dcd@sanjuancountywa.gov). Pre-application fees are refunded upon formal permit submittal.
  2. Obtain sewage disposal (septic) permit or sewer connection documentation from Health & Community Services (separate application, not through online portal).
  3. Obtain water availability records from Health & Community Services.
  4. Register for the SJC Permit Center online portal at https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home (desktop/laptop required; phone/tablet not supported).
  5. Download the applicable permit checklist from the Forms & Information page and prepare all required materials (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance, stormwater forms, agent authorization if applicable).
  6. Log in to SJC Permit Center and submit all application materials online.
  7. DCD reviews completeness and notifies applicant of any additional required information.
  8. Plan review fee is collected after the application is determined complete.
  9. Building, land use/planning, fire marshal, and stormwater reviews proceed in parallel (trackable in portal under 'Approval Steps').
  10. Applicant responds to any correction comments and resubmits revised documents if required.
  11. Upon approval of all departments, remaining fees (building permit fee balance, plumbing, mechanical, state surcharge, and other fees) are due.
  12. Permit is issued and work may commence.

Typical processing time: As of late 2024, single-family residential permits averaged over 200 days in review. Washington State law effective January 1, 2025 imposes statutory review deadlines with partial fee refunds for delays. Current processing times should be confirmed with DCD at permit application.

Source: San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD), Building Division

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction in unincorporated San Juan County.

Required Documents

  • Online application via SJC Permit Center (registration required)
  • Site plan (to scale, showing lot, setbacks, existing and proposed structures, utilities, drainage)
  • Construction drawings (floor plan, elevations, foundation/structural plans)
  • Energy code compliance form (2021 WSEC-R standard residential form)
  • Air leakage/blower door test results form (for new construction)
  • Stormwater management plan or certification (for projects disturbing any land)
  • Impervious surface worksheet
  • Sewage disposal documentation (approved septic or sewer connection letter from Health & Community Services)
  • Water availability records
  • Agent Authorization Form (if contractor or representative is applying on behalf of owner)
  • Contractor name, mailing address, phone, email, and Washington State L&I license number
  • Asbestos clearance documentation (for demolition permits only)
  • SEPA environmental checklist (for projects meeting SEPA thresholds, e.g., grading 100+ cubic yards)
  • Critical area information (all parcels must be checked)
  • ADU Eligibility number (if permit involves a detached ADU)
Permit validity
Standard permits: Invalid if work does not commence within 1 year of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 1 year. Extensions: Available upon written request with justifiable cause; one additional year may be granted. Owner/builder permits: Valid for 1 year, renewable for up to four additional years with annual renewal fees.
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2021 International Fire Code (IFC), 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) / Washington State Energy Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), and local amendments (SJCC 15.04).
Owner-builder
San Juan County offers unique owner-builder permit options. Owner Builder Permit (for occupied/dwelling structures): Allows property owner to build their own dwelling, exempt from structural provisions of IRC/IBC; inspected for mechanical, plumbing, energy code, life safety, and fire requirements only. Owner Builder Exemption (for non-occupied structures): For uninhabited structures. Only natural persons may apply (not corporations or LLCs). Construction must be completed within 5 years of permit issuance. Life safety inspections required when property is subsequently rented or sold. Owner Builder Application form available on Forms & Information page.
Contractor requirements
Washington State registered contractor required for all regulated work. Contractor's L&I registration number must be provided on application. Electrical work: L&I electrical permit required; wiring may only be performed by the permit holder or a licensed electrical contractor (RCW 19.28.120 and 19.28.610). L&I electrical permits: (360) 647-7333 or https://www.lni.wa.gov

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Use online fee calculator at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/504/Fee-Calculator or contact DCD at (360) 378-2116
Plan check fee
Collected after application is determined complete; a portion is due at submittal (plan review fee). Balance of permit fee plus plumbing, mechanical, state surcharge, and other fees are due at permit issuance.
Permit fee formula
Based on project valuation using International Code Council Building Valuation Data with a cost modifier of 1.3, and/or local valuation data. Valuation includes materials and labor (including electrical, gas, fixtures, cabinetry, mechanical, and plumbing equipment, and permanent systems); does not include land, septic, or water system costs.
Payment note
The specific valuation tier amounts from the current fee schedule (PDF document) were not directly extractable. Use the online fee calculator or contact DCD (360) 378-2116 for current fee estimates before project budgeting.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Per Resolution No. 34-2020 (latest amendments may apply)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • One-story detached accessory structures with floor area of 120 sq. ft. or less (provided not placed within 6 feet of any other building, not closer than 10 feet to a property line, and not within an easement)
  • Fences not over 8 feet high
  • Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
  • Swings and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Re-roof of residential structures with like-for-like materials (residential re-roofing with matching materials does not require a building permit)
  • Ordinary repair and maintenance

Important: Even where a building permit is not required, exempt structures must comply with zoning setbacks, lot coverage limits, easement restrictions, and any applicable critical area, shoreline, or stormwater requirements. Work in a critical area or shoreline zone may require a separate critical area review or shoreline exemption approval even if a building permit is not needed. Unpermitted structures with a date of original construction of 1977 or earlier are presumed to legally exist per SJCC 15.04.070(4).

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island: Call or submit request by 3:00 p.m. the day before the desired inspection (messages retrieved at 3:00 p.m. Monday–Friday). Outer Islands (Waldron, Stuart, Blakely, Decatur, Jones, and other islands accessible only by private boat or seaplane): 48-hour advance notice required. Shaw Island: 48-hour advance notice required.
Inspection hours
Monday–Friday (no inspections scheduled on Fridays per recent practice; confirm with DCD as schedules may change seasonally or with staffing)
Time windows
Check the daily inspection schedule after 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the inspection via the SJC Permit Center portal to see where your inspection falls in the day's sequence.

Typical inspection sequence: Standard residential inspection sequence (verify with DCD for project specifics): setback/foundation verification, foundation/footing, framing (before insulation and sheathing), rough-in plumbing, rough-in mechanical, insulation and energy code, final building inspection, final plumbing, final mechanical.

Contact DCD Building Division regarding any special inspection accommodations.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD), Building Division before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated San Juan County can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.
← Back to San Juan County permit guides