City Building Permits
Anacortes, WA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Anacortes, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of Anacortes.
- Department
- City of Anacortes Planning, Community, and Economic Development (PCED) Department
- Address
- City Hall, Anacortes, WA
- Phone
- 360-293-1901
- pced@anacorteswa.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: SmartGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Register for account on SmartGov portal at https://ci-anacortes-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/ (click Sign Up)
- Review applicable permit submittal checklist before starting application
- Prepare electronic documents following submittal requirements
- Submit application through portal with all required documents
- Pay fees online through portal
- Track application status and respond to staff comments
- Request inspections through portal after permit issuance
Typical processing time: First review timelines vary by permit type; contact PCED for project-specific schedule
Source: City of Anacortes Planning, Community, and Economic Development (PCED) Department
General Requirements
Building permits required for construction within City of Anacortes
Required Documents
- Completed permit application via SmartGov
- Site plan showing property location and setbacks
- Construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, sections)
- Stormwater site plan (required for complete application)
- Zoning and land use compliance documentation
- Energy code compliance documentation
- Specifications and construction details
- Permit validity
- Application expires if not approved within specified timeframe
- Building code
- International Building Codes with Washington State amendments; subject to new development regulations effective January 1, 2026
- Owner-builder
- Verify owner-builder requirements with PCED; some work may require licensed contractors
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors with Washington State L&I registration required
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Based on project type and valuation; see city website or contact PCED for current fee schedule
- Payment note
- Payment required at time of submittal through SmartGov portal
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Anacortes Planning, Community, and Economic Development (PCED) Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- SmartGov portal (online)
- 360-293-1901 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Contact PCED for current inspection hours
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections required at various construction phases; final inspection required for occupancy approval
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Codes with Washington State amendments; subject to new development regulations effective January 1, 2026
- Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Permit Services Coordinator
- Shoreline Management
- 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 City of Anacortes Planning, Community, and Economic Development (PCED) Department before applying.
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