King County, Washington Permit Guide
Find King County, Washington permit offices, local planning notes, application documents, and inspection questions in one guide.
Individual permit guides for King County
- King County Washington Residential Remodel and Addition Permit Guide
- King County Washington Fence Permit Guide
- King County Washington Residential Solar Permit Guide
- King County Washington Building Inspection Planning Guide
- King County, Washington ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide
- King County, Washington HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide
- King County, Washington Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide
Start with jurisdiction and project scope
Before applying in King County, confirm whether the property is within city limits or in unincorporated county territory. Describe the complete work to the office serving that parcel, including electrical, plumbing, structural, and site changes. Building, zoning, utility, and private HOA approvals can be separate.
Open the local official sources or prepare a project checklist.
Source availability audit: . This checks links, not every local rule. These compiled notes are starting points; confirm current dimensions, exemptions, fees, and adopted codes with the cited offices.
Residential Remodel and Addition Permits
Unincorporated King County residential remodels, additions, deck work, garages, and many shed projects are handled through King County Permits and MyBuildingPermit.com.
Permit and scope questions
King County processes residential additions and remodels for property in unincorporated King County; properties inside city limits must use the city's own permit process.
Zoning and placement
Before applying, confirm whether the property is in unincorporated King County and whether shoreline, critical area, fire access, septic, or land-use review applies.
Building and trade review
The residential remodel, structure addition, and repair permit type can include interior remodels, attached additions, detached accessory buildings, and repairs depending on scope.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the property may be inside a city, the project adds floor area, affects a critical area or shoreline, includes fire access questions, or changes a detached structure.
Sources for this topic:
Fence Permits
In unincorporated King County, fence permit needs depend heavily on height, parcel zoning, setbacks, and whether the property is inside a city.
Permit and scope questions
For King County, ask the permit office to confirm the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; and the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel before treating this project as exempt or permit-required.
Zoning and placement
Ask King County's planning or zoning office to check the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions and the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel for the proposed site and use.
Building and trade review
Fence information is tied to the residential addition/remodel decks, garages, and sheds packet, with zoning and building questions handled by King County Permits.
Discuss your project early when: Contact King County before ordering materials or starting work to resolve whether retained soil, adjacent slopes or supported loads require engineering; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; the pool or spa classification and the required access barrier; and the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel. Bring the proposed dimensions, location and scope so the answer is tied to the project.
Sources for this topic:
Solar Permits
King County residential rooftop solar may be exempt from a building permit when it stays within specific dead-load and roof-mounting limits, but electrical permits still run through Washington State Labor and Industries.
Permit and scope questions
King County's solar guide says some single-family, duplex, and townhouse rooftop systems do not need a King County building permit when panel dead load and mounting height stay within the listed limits.
Zoning and placement
Solar panels must still meet local zoning height rules, roof constraints, and any shoreline, critical area, or property-specific limits.
Building and trade review
Systems outside the exempt criteria can require an application, drawings, manufacturer specifications, and structural engineering calculations when applicable.
Discuss your project early when: Contact King County before ordering materials or starting work to resolve the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; the solar mounting arrangement, electrical scope and accepted review route; and which roof repairs, material changes or structural work require a permit. Bring the proposed dimensions, location and scope so the answer is tied to the project.
Sources for this topic:
Building Inspections
King County building inspections for unincorporated-area permits are scheduled through MyBuildingPermit.com, with next-business-day requests generally needing to be entered before the county cutoff time.
Permit and scope questions
King County inspects residential and commercial building projects under construction in unincorporated King County for compliance with county building codes.
Zoning and placement
Projects involving road, drainage, or site work may also need land-use inspection coordination before construction starts.
Building and trade review
Inspection scheduling and status checks are handled through MyBuildingPermit.com for permits issued there, while older or separate permit records may use the building tab search.
Discuss your project early when: Call before scheduling if the project includes drainage site work, right-of-way work, fire inspections, or if the permit was not issued through MyBuildingPermit.com.
Sources for this topic:
Prepare a complete application conversation
- MyBuildingPermit.com application
- Project scope
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Critical area or shoreline information if applicable
- Property jurisdiction
- Fence height
- Fence location
- Setback information
- Site plan for permit-required fences
- Solar system description
- Roof plan
- Manufacturer specifications
- Exempt checklist if applicable
- Structural calculations when required
- Permit number
- Approved plans
- Inspection type
- Site access instructions
- Contact phone number
Bring enough detail for staff to identify the correct application. Ask which plans need dimensions or a professional seal, how files should be named, and whether other departments must approve the proposal first.
Inspection planning
- Apply online
- Respond to screening or review comments
- Pay required fees
- Download approved permit documents
- Schedule inspections through MyBuildingPermit.com
- Confirm unincorporated jurisdiction
- Check height and setbacks
- Apply if over six feet or otherwise required
- Keep approval records
- Schedule any required inspection
- Confirm exemption eligibility
- Keep exempt checklist records when allowed
- Apply for King County building review when required
- Coordinate Washington electrical permit
- Complete final inspection or approval steps
- Request inspections up to five days ahead
- Enter next-business-day requests before the posted cutoff
- Check inspection status online
- Keep work visible until approved
- Resolve correction notices before continuing
Questions to resolve before work starts
- Which building, zoning, trade, utility, or public-works approvals apply to this exact scope?
- Is an apparent exemption limited to the building permit, while zoning or trade approval still applies?
- Which current fee schedule, code edition, and local amendments will be used?
- Who may apply, and which licensed trades must perform or supervise the work?
- Which inspection stages cannot be covered, and how is the final approval recorded?
Official source directory
- King County Residential Addition/Remodel Service Detail
- King County Residential Permit Information
- King County Building and Land Use Permits
- King County Fences Building Permit Regulations
- King County Permits
- King County Solar Incentives and Permit Process Guide
- King County Solar Exempt Permit Checklist
- King County Building and Fire Inspections
- King County Land Use Inspections
If an official link is unavailable or redirects to a general page, use that government's site search or contact its permit office. Some government sites restrict automated access; that does not establish that a page is missing.