Question: What do I need a building permit for?     

Answer: All new construction, remodeling, additions, tenant improvements or structural changes within existing buildings require a building permit. New roofs and re-roofing (up to three layers allowed) also requires a building permit. Plumbing permits are required for any new fixtures and pipes. For further questions regarding building permits, contact the Building Permit Coordinator 

Electrical permits are required and may be obtained through Washington State Labor and Industries www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical

Question: Can I get a building permit application on line? 

Answer: Yes, Click Here

Question: What are the City's development fees?  

Answer: Click Here to see the City's development fee schedule.

Question: What is the zoning for my property and what types of uses are permitted?

Answer: Zoning will depend on whether the property is in the city limits and what zone it is located in. Click here to see the zoning map.

Click here to see a copy of the City's code or Engineering standards. To ask more detailed questions about your zoning and/or regulations, Contact Rebecca Lind, Community Development Director. 

Question: What are the long range plans for the City? How will we grow? Can my property be annexed? Where is the urban growth area?

Answer: Long range plans for a particular property depend on where you live.

Click here to see the City's Comprehensive Plan map.

Question: How can I get help with a code enforcement problem?

Answer: Code enforcement issues, complaints, or questions can be directed to the City's Code Compliance Officer

Question: How can I schedule an inspection for project?

Answer: For inspections on a building, contact the City's Building Inspector

 For inspections on a new development, parking lot, landscaping, or utilities contact the City's Land Use Permit Coordinator

Question: Can you locate my property lines for me or how do I locate my property lines?

Answer: The data the city maintains is based on the Assessor's Office data is not suitable for locating specific property lines and measurements. Click here for more information on surveys.

Question: Do I need a permit for a fence?

Answer: Fences six feet or less in height may be allowed in any required side yard or rear yard, or one four feet or less in a required front yard. No fencing will be allowed to obstruct the sight distance for traffic on any roadway; all fencing that runs along any such roadway must be four feet orless in height at the intersection of all roadway and extending back for a distance of at least 40 feet.

Question: What type of land use approval do I need for my project and what do I need to submit with the application?

Answer: The type of approval needed depends upon the location, size and details of the project. The City's Community Development Department has developed a Master Permit Application for all land use projects, so only one application will be needed.

Click here to get a copy of the Master Permit Application. Each type of land use approval will have a checklist, depending on the type of project, and each checklist will tell you how many copies of each item that you will need to submit with your project. Contact the City's Planner for the types of checklist(s) that you may need.

Question: How long will it take to review my permit application?

Answer: Review times are directly dependent on the type of project, the type and number of permits needed, and the quality of the submittal.

Question: What is the review process for a land use approval?

Answer: Click here to see a typical land use approval flow chart.

Question: Do I need a building permit for a shed?

Answer: One-story detached accessory structures, such as sheds or other accessory structures, greater than 120 square feet in area will require a building permit. It is a good idea to have sheds that are exempt from requiring a building permit reviewed by the planner for setbacks from lot lines, distance from main building and any easements to insure compliance with zoning regulations.

6/30/11