City Building Permits

Colville, WA Building Permit Guide

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

Washington Stevens County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Colville.

Department: Building and Planning Department
Address: 1044 N. Lincoln Street, Colville, WA 99114
Phone: (509) 684-5096
Email: buildingpermits@colville.wa.us
Website: https://www.colville.wa.us/pview.aspx?id=35822&catid=461

Online Permit Portal

Open City of Colville Website

Platform: CityReporter (inspection scheduling only) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Colville Municipal Code

Application Process

Determine whether work requires a permit.
Obtain the appropriate application from city hall or the city website.
Complete all required fields: property owner name, phone number, property address, parcel number, project description, and valuation.
Submit application with required documents in person at city hall or by email to buildingpermits@colville.wa.us. Incomplete applications will be returned.
Permit is issued upon application approval. Applicant pays applicable fees.
Post permit on site; begin work only after permit is issued.
Call to schedule required inspections at each construction stage.
Schedule final inspection; obtain approval.

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

Source: Building and Planning Department

General Requirements

Any construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, move, or change of occupancy of a building or structure requires a permit. Installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, conversion, or replacement of any gas, mechanical, or plumbing system requires a permit.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Site plan
Construction plans or drawings
Project description with valuation
Property owner authorization (if applicant is a contractor)

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 licensed/registered contractors may apply. Contractors must be registered with Washington State L&I.
Contractor requirements: Contractors 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

Minimum permit fee: $150
Plan check fee: Contact city hall for current amounts.
Permit fee formula: Based on project valuation (materials + labor, all systems and finishes). Specific rates set by city resolution.
Payment note: Contact city hall at (509) 684-5096 for current fee schedule and fee estimates.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool/storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided floor area does not exceed 200 sq ft
Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
Platforms, sidewalks, and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment

Important: Even if a building permit is not required, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may still apply. Zoning compliance is also required regardless of permit exemption. Confirm edge cases with city hall.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(509) 684-5096 (phone)
CityReporter portal (online)

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Key inspection stages: footing/foundation (after excavation and forms/rebar in place, before concrete is poured), framing/rough-in (after framing, fire blocking, and bracing are complete; after rough electrical [L&I], plumbing, and mechanical rough-ins), insulation (before wallboard is installed), and final (after construction is complete).

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)
L&I Contractor Registration
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 Building and Planning Department before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Colville can be complicated.

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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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