City Building Permits

Mountlake Terrace, WA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Washington Snohomish County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Mountlake Terrace.

Department
Community and Economic Development Department
Address
23204 58th Avenue W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
Phone
425-744-6267
Website
https://www.mltwa.gov

Online Permit Portal

Open Permit Portal (SmartGov)

Platform: SmartGov • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Complete Permit Contact Information Form (required with all permits).
  2. Submit application with required documents including: Two copies of structural calculations, Two copies of WA State Energy Code Compliance form, Soils report if geological hazards present, Critical Areas Checklist if applicable.
  3. Pay fees at time of application submission.
  4. Plan review conducted by Community and Economic Development.
  5. Permit issuance upon approval.

Typical processing time: Varies by project complexity and current workload.

Source: Community and Economic Development Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for most construction in the City of Mountlake Terrace.

Required Documents

  • Permit Contact Information Form
  • Completed permit application
  • Two copies of structural calculations
  • Two copies of WA State Energy Code Compliance form
  • Soils report (if geological hazards present)
  • Critical Areas Checklist (if applicable)
  • Plans and specifications
Building code
2021 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington amendments (effective March 15, 2024). Washington State Energy Code Compliance required.
Owner-builder
Property owners or authorized agents may apply.
Contractor requirements
All contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I.

Fees

Permit fee formula
Residential Building Permits: $6.50 State Building Code Council surcharge. Commercial Building Permits: $25.00 State Building Code Council surcharge. Additional $2.00 per dwelling unit over one. Shed Permit (less than 200 sq ft): Required for sheds 80 sq ft or larger OR walls exceeding 6 feet. No permit required for sheds under 80 sq ft with walls under 6 feet.
Payment note
Development and impact fees updated annually. Fee schedules available on city website.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Sheds under 80 sq ft with walls under 6 feet
  • Standard IRC exemptions

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Mondays 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: All inspection requests accessed via online Permit Portal. Project must have issued permits on-site. Approved plans must be on-site for inspections.

Phone requests no longer available.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Community and Economic Development Department before applying.

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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.

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