Chewelah, WA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Chewelah.

Department

Building and Planning Department

Address

301 E. Clay Avenue, P.O. Box 258, Chewelah, WA 99109

Phone

(509) 935-8311

Website

https://www.cityofchewelah.org/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Visit the Building page at cityofchewelah.org/building or city hall to determine permit requirements.
2. Complete the online building application through the city website.
3. Upload required supporting documents through the online system.
4. Pay applicable fees upon permit issuance.
5. Display permit on job site.
6. Request inspections through the online system or by contacting city hall.
7. Obtain final inspection approval and Certificate of Occupancy before occupying.

Typical processing time: Varies based on plan review complexity. Contact city hall for estimate.

Source: Building and Planning Department

General Requirements

Chewelah enforces the Washington State Building Code suite (IBC, IRC with WA amendments) for all work within city limits. Permits are required for: new construction, additions, alterations, structural repairs, accessory structures (above exemption thresholds), mechanical, and plumbing work.

Required Documents

• Completed building application
• Site plan
• Construction drawings
• Project valuation statement

Permit validity

Contact city hall for permit validity period.

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments

Owner-builder

Both property owners and L&I-registered contractors may apply.

Contractor requirements

Contractors performing work must be registered with Washington State L&I under RCW 18.27. General contractors must carry a $30,000 surety bond; specialty contractors must carry $15,000. General liability insurance minimums: $200,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage.

Fees

Plan check fee

Typically a percentage of permit fee (often 65%); contact city hall for current amounts.

Permit fee formula

Fees are based on project valuation (materials + labor, all systems). Plan review fee is typically a percentage of the permit fee.

Payment note

Contact city hall at (509) 935-8311 for the current fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 200 sq ft, no plumbing, no habitable space, not on a permanent foundation
• Retaining walls under 4 feet in height from footing bottom to wall top (unless supporting surcharge or impounding liquids)
• Fences not over 6 feet in height
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep

Important: Confirm current exemption list with city hall. Zoning and land use compliance remains required regardless of permit exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• City building portal (online)
• (509) 935-8311 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Key inspection stages: footing/foundation, framing/rough-in (after rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical), insulation, and final inspection. All required inspections must be approved before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) with Washington State amendments
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• L&I Electrical Permits (inspected by Washington State L&I)
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

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