Airway Heights, WA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Airway Heights.

Department

Building Department

Address

1149 S Garfield Rd, Airway Heights, WA

Phone

(509) 244-5514

Email

bldgdept@cawh.org

Website

https://www.cawh.org/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Pre-Development Review required for commercial/industrial projects and many building permits.
2. Submit completed pre-development form and required documentation to bldgdept@cawh.org.
3. Pay plan review deposit: $500 for new single-family residential; 65% of plan review deposit for other projects.
4. Deposit can be paid by credit card over phone; review begins after deposit received.
5. Staff reviews plans and sends payment link for remaining fees.
6. After plan review approval, schedule inspections online or by calling (509) 850-9364.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact Building Department for project-specific estimates.

Source: Building Department

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all construction within the City of Airway Heights.

Required Documents

• Conformed plans and permit applications
• Site plan with scale
• Supporting documentation (separate PDF files for each component)
• Footing calculations
• Beam calculations
• WSEC Prescriptive Energy Code Worksheets
• Mechanical Ventilation Form
• No cell phone photos or Google Map site plans accepted

Permit validity

Governed by adopted International Codes.

Building code

International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code with Washington State Energy Code

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must comply with Washington State L&I registration and City requirements.

Contractor requirements

Washington State L&I registration required; City business license required (48-hour, 30-day, or annual options available).

Fees

Payment note

Credit card payments include 3% surcharge. Deposit can be paid by phone; remaining fees paid after plan review.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Contact Building Department for current schedule).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (residential), 120 sq ft (commercial)
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high (unless supporting surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids)
• Water tanks under 5,000 gallons on grade
• Sidewalks and driveways not over 30 inches above grade
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops
• Shade cloth nursery or agricultural structures
• Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches
• Decks not over 30 inches above grade, not attached, without roof

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online inspection request system (after login) (online)
• (509) 850-9364 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Contact Building Department for inspection request procedures.

Inspection hours

Monday - Friday 8am-4pm

Time windows

Inspection timing varies.

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections: Foundation, framing, mechanical, plumbing, electrical (through L&I), final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code with Washington State Energy Code
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential Permit Checklist
• Commercial/Multifamily Checklist
• Manufactured Home Placement Checklist
• Public Works Permit Checklist
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

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