North Bonneville, WA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of North Bonneville. Note: Most of North Bonneville lies within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (NSA).

Department

City of North Bonneville — City Hall

Address

214 CBD Mall Drive, North Bonneville, WA 98639

Phone

(509) 427-8182

Email

info@northbonneville.net

Website

https://northbonneville.net/government/forms-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. For general building permits (new construction, additions, structural remodels): Download the City Building Permit Application form from https://northbonneville.net/government/forms-permits/.
2. Complete the application with project description, property information, and valuation.
3. Prepare required documents including site plan, floor plans, and construction drawings.
4. Check NSA overlay status — if the property is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (which covers most of North Bonneville), confirm whether an NSA land use review is required before submitting the building permit application.
5. Submit the completed application to City Hall in person or by mail.
6. Pay fees as directed by City Hall.
7. Permit issued once review is complete.
8. For roofing, mechanical, and plumbing permits: Register at https://us.cloudpermit.com/registration and submit through the Skamania County Cloudpermit system.
9. Schedule inspections by contacting City Hall or the county building division.

Typical processing time: Unknown; contact City Hall at (509) 427-8182 for current guidance. NSA review can take 3–9 months depending on project scope.

Source: City of North Bonneville — City Hall

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all new construction, structural alterations, additions, roofing, plumbing, and mechanical work within the City of North Bonneville. Electrical work is separately permitted through Washington State L&I. National Scenic Area overlay: virtually all land within North Bonneville lies within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Most new land uses and ground-disturbing activities in the NSA require NSA land use approval from Skamania County's Planning Division before a building permit can be issued.

Required Documents

• Site plan
• Floor plans and construction drawings
• Project description and valuation estimate
• NSA approval documentation (if applicable)

Permit validity

Work must begin within 180 days of permit issuance; first inspection must occur within 180 days. No more than 180 days may elapse between any two consecutive inspections.

Building code

City has adopted the state building codes per RCW 19.27: International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), International Fire Code (IFC), and Washington State Energy Code (WSEC). 2021 editions with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024). Municipal code: Title 17 (last updated Ordinance 1159, 05/14/2024).

Owner-builder

Permit applications may be submitted by the property owner or a contractor registered with Washington State L&I.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I. Contractor registration is separate from local permit requirements.

Fees

Permit fee formula

North Bonneville's building permit fees are not published online. For roofing, mechanical, and plumbing permits processed through Skamania County's Cloudpermit system, fees follow the Skamania County fee methodology (valuation-based, ICC Building Valuation Data, plus 65% plan review fee).

Payment note

Contact City Hall at (509) 427-8182 or info@northbonneville.net for current fee information.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft with no plumbing
• Fences not over 6 feet in height
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (no surcharge)
• Platforms and decks not more than 30 inches above grade
• Finish work: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops

Important: Within the NSA, exemptions from a building permit do not exempt work from NSA scenic review or Shoreline Master Program compliance. Confirm exemption applicability with City Hall before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• City Hall: (509) 427-8182 (phone)
• info@northbonneville.net (email)
• Cloudpermit portal (for county-processed roofing/mechanical/plumbing permits) (online)

Inspection hours

City Hall: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Standard inspection stages (footing, framing, rough-in, insulation, final) apply per the adopted IBC/IRC. Building inspections for general permits are coordinated through City Hall. Inspections for roofing, mechanical, and plumbing permits processed through Cloudpermit are handled by the Skamania County Building Division.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City has adopted the state building codes per RCW 19.27: International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), International Fire Code (IFC), and Washington State Energy Code (WSEC). 2021 editions with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024). Municipal code: Title 17 (last updated Ordinance 1159, 05/14/2024).
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• North Bonneville Municipal Code (Title 17 — Buildings)
• Columbia River Gorge Commission (NSA legal authority)
• Skamania County NSA Planning
• Skamania County Cloudpermit (roofing, mechanical, plumbing)
• 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

Other cities in Skamania County