County Building Permits
Whatcom County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Whatcom County, Washington. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Birch Bay is an unincorporated Urban Residential community in Whatcom County. All building permits processed through Whatcom County PDS.
- Department
- Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) - Building Services Division
- Address
- 5280 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA 98226-9097
- Phone
- (360) 778-5900
- Website
- https://www.whatcomcounty.us/pds
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Email/Online Portal • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Schedule pre-application screen meeting (recommended) by calling (360) 778-5900.
- Prepare building permit application, site plans, construction plans (scale drawings), valuation information, and critical areas documentation (if applicable).
- Submit application and plans via email to ePermits@co.whatcom.wa.us in unlocked, editable PDF format.
- Schedule permit submittal appointment (Monday-Friday) by calling (360) 778-5900.
- Complete pre-application screening if not already done; have pre-application number and tax parcel number available.
- Pay building permit deposit at submittal.
- County reviews plans and issues permit upon approval.
- Schedule required inspections through online portal or email.
Typical processing time: Varies; pre-application meeting recommended before formal submittal
Source: Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) - Building Services Division
General Requirements
A building permit is required for most construction in unincorporated Birch Bay.
Required Documents
- Completed building permit application
- Site plans
- Construction plans (scale drawings)
- Valuation information
- Critical areas documentation (if applicable)
- Permit validity
- Contact PDS for permit validity terms.
- Building code
- International Building Code, International Residential Code, Washington State Energy Code, Whatcom County Code Title 15 (Building and Construction), Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning)
- Contractor requirements
- Washington State L&I contractor registration required. Whatcom County business license may be required.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Deposit required at application submittal; deducted from total permit cost
- Plan check fee
- Included in permit fee calculation
- Permit fee formula
- Based on valuation of proposed structure, proximity to critical areas, and number of mechanical and plumbing fixtures
- Reinspection fee
- May apply for work not ready or corrections not made
- Payment note
- Building Permit Estimate Worksheet (XLS) available to help estimate costs. Estimated fees for 2,000 sq ft/$450K home: ~$3,200 building permit + ~$2,000 plan review = ~$5,200 total. Additional fees for shoreline permits, critical areas review, encroachment permits, current planning permits, fire permits.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft (may still require zoning approval)
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
- Decks/platforms not more than 30 inches above grade
- Painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, and similar finish work
- Prefabricated swimming pools entirely above ground
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, critical areas review, or HOA approval (if applicable in Birch Bay Village). Contact PDS for specific exemption verification.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Online Permit Portal (online)
- ePermits@co.whatcom.wa.us (email)
- (360) 778-5900 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday during standard business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections: foundation, framing, rough mechanical/plumbing/electrical, insulation/air sealing, and final inspections. Fire inspections separate; contact Fire Marshal's Office at (360) 778-5900.
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Code, International Residential Code, Washington State Energy Code, Whatcom County Code Title 15 (Building and Construction), Whatcom County Code Title 20 (Zoning)
- Verify contractor license: WA L&I Contractor Lookup
- Whatcom County Health & Community Services
- Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
- Critical Areas Maps
- 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 Whatcom County Planning and Development Services (PDS) - Building Services Division before applying.
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