Wahkiakum County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Wahkiakum County.

Department

Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department

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.co.wahkiakum.wa.us/280/Building-Planning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Call ahead to confirm permit requirements. Contact the Building Inspector before assembling your packet: (360) 795-6100 ext. 104 or hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us. Missing documents will result in application rejection.
2. Schedule an appointment by calling (360) 849-9406 or (360) 795-3067. Do not arrive without an appointment as the Building Inspector is frequently in the field.
3. Assemble application packet: building permit application form, site plan (scaled drawing showing property boundaries, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, utilities), construction documents (floor plans, elevations, cross-sections), water/sewer approvals (for residences), SEPA documentation (for waterfront work), Elevation Certificate if in floodplain, and HUD data plate (for manufactured homes).
4. Submit application and pay fees in person at 64 Main Street (by appointment) or by email to hicksd@co.wahkiakum.wa.us.
5. County staff reviews for code compliance. Contact department for current review turnaround.
6. Permit card must be posted at the job site in a visible location.
7. Schedule inspections at each construction stage using the Building Inspection Request form or phone.
8. Final inspection required before occupancy. Certificate of Occupancy issued upon passing final inspection.

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

Source: Wahkiakum County Building and Planning Department

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, structural remodels, attached structures, detached structures with utilities or residential use, fences over 6 feet, decks more than 30 inches high or larger than 200 sq ft, mechanical systems, residential solar, manufactured home placement, shoreline development, and significant earth moving.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application form
• Site plan: scaled drawing showing property boundaries, existing and proposed structures, setbacks, utilities
• Construction documents: floor plans, elevations, cross-sections with dimensions and materials
• For new permanent residences: prior approval from Wahkiakum County Environmental Health for potable water source and sewer/septic system
• For shoreline/waterfront work: SEPA Checklist/Application and Washington State Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA)
• For floodplain locations: Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 81-31) documenting Base Flood Elevation and finished floor elevation
• For manufactured homes: HUD data plate, setup specifications, site plan

Permit validity

Standard Washington state exemptions apply; confirm with Building Inspector.

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and International Fire Code (IFC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024) per Revised Code of Wahkiakum County Title 30. Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11C) applies to all new construction.

Owner-builder

Property owners may apply if performing their own work.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must be registered with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). Verify registration at https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/

Fees

Plan check fee

Typically percentage of building permit fee (commonly 65% for complex projects, lower for simple residential)

Permit fee formula

Based on project valuation (construction cost). Specific amounts available in PDF fee schedule at link above; contact (360) 795-3067 for current quote.

Trade permit fee

Flat fee for mechanical permits per appliance/system

Reinspection fee

Charged when work is not ready at time of scheduled inspection

Payment note

Fees paid at time of application.

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 less than 200 square feet in area
• Detached recreational/accessory structures with no plumbing, no conditioned air, and not intended as residence (e.g., simple garden shed)
• Non-structural maintenance and repairs that do not change occupancy, structural system, or egress (painting, re-roofing in-kind, cabinet replacement, flooring)
• Unheated and unoccupied Group U Occupancies, Division 1 (agricultural utility buildings meeting specific criteria)

Important: Exempt structures must still comply with setback requirements and Critical Areas regulations. Work in the shoreline jurisdiction or floodplain is subject to additional review even if otherwise exempt from building permit. Agricultural structures may still trigger SEPA review. When in doubt, contact Building Inspector at (360) 795-6100 ext. 104.

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 for timely inspections.

Inspection hours

Monday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office); Tuesday: 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Thursday: 8:00 AM–3:00 PM (field inspections); Friday: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (in office). Administrative office hours vary by week.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for new residential construction: foundation/footing (before concrete pour, verify dimensions and rebar), foundation/slab (after forms set, before pour), framing (all framing and structural connections complete, before insulation), insulation/energy code (verify insulation type and R-values per WAC 51-11C), rough mechanical (ductwork, venting, combustion air; coordinate electrical/plumbing with L&I), final inspection (all construction complete, address numbers posted, site accessible, water and sewer/septic operational).

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), International Mechanical Code (IMC), and International Fire Code (IFC) with Washington State amendments (effective March 15, 2024) per Revised Code of Wahkiakum County Title 30. Washington State Energy Code (WAC 51-11C) applies to all new construction.
• Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Revised Code of Wahkiakum County Title 30 (Building Codes and Permits)
• Revised Code of Wahkiakum County Title 86 (Flood Control)
• Washington State Ecology — Wahkiakum County Shoreline Master Program
• Washington L&I — Electrical Permits and Contractor Registration
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Wahkiakum County Assessor's Portal
• License lookup guide: Washington Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Washington Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Washington hub: Washington Contractor License & Permit Hub