Building Permits in Washington
Washington statewide rules
These state rules apply everywhere in the state. Cities and counties may add stricter local rules — open your city below.
- Issued by
- State Building Code Council source: app.leg.wa.gov
- Building code
- 2021 edition of the International Residential Code source: app.leg.wa.gov
- Local changes allowed
- Limited source: app.leg.wa.gov
ADU
- Conditions
- A city or county must allow at least two accessory dwelling units on lots in urban growth area zoning districts that allow single-family homes. source: app.leg.wa.gov
Cities
- Seattle780,995 residents
- Spokane230,609 residents
- Tacoma228,202 residents
- Vancouver198,992 residents
- Bellevue154,377 residents
- Kent136,588 residents
- Everett113,011 residents
- Spokane Valley108,267 residents
- Renton105,543 residents
- Federal Way100,252 residents
- Yakima97,390 residents
- Bellingham95,860 residents
- Kirkland95,499 residents
- Kennewick86,728 residents
- Auburn85,513 residents
- Redmond82,195 residents
- Pasco81,724 residents
- Marysville76,209 residents
- Sammamish66,474 residents
- Shoreline66,251 residents
- Richland64,372 residents
- Lakewood62,709 residents
- Lacey58,644 residents
- Olympia56,271 residents
- Burien52,046 residents
- Bothell51,770 residents
- Bremerton45,291 residents
- Edmonds42,871 residents
- Puyallup42,552 residents
- Lynnwood41,597 residents
- Lake Stevens41,350 residents
- Issaquah39,664 residents
- Longview38,294 residents
- Wenatchee35,401 residents
- Mount Vernon35,344 residents
- University Place35,160 residents
- SeaTac34,024 residents
- Walla Walla33,901 residents
- Pullman33,543 residents
- Des Moines33,207 residents
- Maple Valley28,553 residents
- Tumwater27,826 residents
- Camas27,313 residents
- Moses Lake26,969 residents
- Mercer Island25,302 residents
- Mountlake Terrace25,198 residents
- Bainbridge Island24,618 residents
- Kenmore24,166 residents
- Oak Harbor24,163 residents
- Battle Ground22,959 residents
- Bonney Lake22,145 residents
- Arlington21,959 residents
- Tukwila21,636 residents
- Covington21,567 residents
- Mukilteo21,299 residents
- Ellensburg20,996 residents
- Mill Creek20,993 residents
- Port Angeles20,112 residents
- Monroe19,927 residents
- Port Orchard19,122 residents
- Centralia19,061 residents
- West Richland18,820 residents
- Anacortes18,148 residents
- Washougal17,944 residents
- Aberdeen17,044 residents
- Lynden16,783 residents
- Ferndale16,706 residents
- Sunnyside16,317 residents
- Ridgefield15,359 residents
- East Wenatchee14,330 residents
- Woodinville13,942 residents
- Snoqualmie13,748 residents
- Edgewood13,496 residents
- Liberty Lake13,353 residents
- Lake Forest Park13,276 residents
- Sedro-Woolley13,215 residents
- Enumclaw13,173 residents
- Newcastle13,072 residents
- Kelso12,737 residents
- Cheney12,700 residents
- Gig Harbor12,643 residents
- Poulsbo12,562 residents
- Airway Heights11,950 residents
- Yelm11,715 residents
- Grandview11,599 residents
- Fife11,077 residents
- Burlington10,945 residents
- Sumner10,885 residents
- Shelton10,737 residents
- Port Townsend10,649 residents
- Snohomish10,534 residents
- College Place9,846 residents
- DuPont9,823 residents
- Duvall9,176 residents
- Othello9,001 residents
- Stanwood8,943 residents
- Orting8,911 residents
- Milton8,833 residents
- Hoquiam8,771 residents
- Ephrata8,718 residents
Permit Categories
- Shed Permits
- Fence Permits
- Deck Permits
- Roof Permits
- Pool Permits
- Patio Permits
- Pergola Permits
- Garage Permits
- Carport Permits
- Tree Removal Permits
- Solar Panels Permits
- HVAC Permits
- Electrical Permits
- Plumbing Permits
- Driveway Permits
- ADU Permits
- Home Addition Permits
- Demolition Permits
- Windows Permits
- Water Heater Permits