Town of Cathlamet, WA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated Town of Cathlamet limits.

Department

Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department (administers permits on behalf of the Town of Cathlamet)

Address

64 Main Street (3rd Floor), P.O. Box 97, Cathlamet, WA 98612

Phone

(360) 795-3067

Email

hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us

Website

https://www.townofcathlamet.com

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit need using Town of Cathlamet's 'Do I Need a Permit?' resource or contact the Building Inspector.
2. Call ahead to confirm all required documents before submitting (applications missing required items will be rejected).
3. Schedule an appointment by calling (360) 795-3067 or (360) 849-9406. Do not arrive without an appointment as the inspector is frequently in the field.
4. Prepare application documents: building permit application form, site plan, construction drawings, water/sewer approvals (for residences), SEPA documentation (for waterfront work), and manufacturer data plates (for manufactured homes).
5. Submit application and pay fees in person at 64 Main Street (by appointment) or by email to hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us.
6. County staff reviews application for code compliance. Contact department for current review turnaround.
7. Permit card is issued upon approval and approval; must be posted at the job site.
8. Schedule required inspections at each construction stage.
9. Final inspection required before occupancy.

Typical processing time: Varies based on project complexity and staff workload; contact department for current estimates.

Source: Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department (administers permits on behalf of the Town of Cathlamet)

General Requirements

Building permits are required for all structural modifications and new construction within Town of Cathlamet limits.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application form
• Site plan (scaled drawing showing property boundaries, setbacks, and location of all structures)
• Construction plans (floor plan, elevations, cross-sections)
• For new residences: approved potable water source and sewer/septic documentation from Wahkiakum County Environmental Health
• For shoreline or waterfront work: SEPA Checklist and Washington State Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA)
• For manufactured homes: manufacturer data plate, HUD label, setup specifications

Permit validity

Confirm with Building Inspector; standard Washington state exemptions apply.

Building code

2018 International Building Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC) and Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11C) per Cathlamet Municipal Code Chapter 15.10. Note: confirm current code adoption status with the Building Inspector, as Cathlamet's municipal code still references the 2018 suite while the county has adopted the 2021 IBC suite.

Owner-builder

Property owners may apply if they are not using a contractor.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be registered with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

Fees

Permit fee formula

Based on project valuation. Specific amounts not published online; contact (360) 795-3067 for current fee quote.

Reinspection fee

Charged when work is not ready at time of scheduled inspection.

Payment note

Fees paid at time of application. Overbilled inspection fees are invoiced quarterly after reinspections.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Sidewalks, driveways, and patios at grade level
• Fences 6 feet high or less
• Decks less than 30 inches above grade and under 200 square feet in area
• Detached recreational structures without plumbing or conditioned air (e.g., simple storage shed)
• Non-structural maintenance and repair (painting, flooring replacement, cabinet replacement)

Important: Exempt structures must still comply with zoning setbacks and other land-use regulations. Contact Town Hall at (360) 795-3203 for zoning questions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building Inspection Request Form (online) (form)
• Building Inspector: (360) 795-6100 ext. 104 or cell (360) 353-8074 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspector is in the field on Tuesdays (11 AM–3 PM) and Thursdays (8 AM–3 PM); schedule accordingly.

Inspection hours

Monday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office); Tuesday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Wednesday: Closed to public; Thursday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Friday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new construction: foundation/footing (before concrete pour), framing (before insulation or drywall), insulation (per energy code), rough mechanical/plumbing (coordinate with L&I), final inspection (all work complete, site clean, address posted).

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 International Building Codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC) and Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11C) per Cathlamet Municipal Code Chapter 15.10. Note: confirm current code adoption status with the Building Inspector, as Cathlamet's municipal code still references the 2018 suite while the county has adopted the 2021 IBC suite.
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Cathlamet Municipal Code Chapter 15.10 (Building Codes)
• Town of Cathlamet — Licenses & Permits
• Wahkiakum County Environmental Health
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Wahkiakum County