Planning and Development Services

Building Permit

Download the RESIDENTIAL building permit application. The application helps to walk you through each of the steps below in greater detail.

For COMMERCIAL buildings use this application..

Step 1. Complete prerequisites.

If your project is anything other than residential (e.g., commercial, agriculture, industrial), you should request a pre-application meeting so that we can review your project and identify all the regulations applicable to it. Submit a Pre-Development/Pre-Application Meeting Request form.
The building permit application packet and review process will walk you through the process of determining that your property is buildable and your project is allowed at that location. The application packet will direct you, as necessary, to confirm or obtain things such as:

Lot certification for your parcel.
An address for your site if you don’t already have one.
Check if your project is in the floodway.
Check if your project is in an airport-restricted area.
Check if your project can get access to potable water.

Step 2. Plan your site layout.

A critical areas review must be completed before you can submit a building permit application.
After the critical areas review, there are other considerations in planning your project location and preparing your site plan.

Identify size and location of your septic system, or your sewer connection. Septic review is done by the County Public Health Department's On-Site Sewage Program.
Plan the extent of land disturbance and methods to be used for stormwater management
Obtain an access permit, if you will be constructing a new access point within the road right-of-way or if this is a new use of an existing access.

Step 3. Submit your application and pay fees.

When you have completed your building permit application packet, submit through our online portal. Staff will review the application for completeness and assist you with making any minor corrections. The most important step to avoid delays in processing your permit application is to submit a complete application.

Have questions or trouble submitting online though our portal? Contact Planning and Development Services and our technicians will be happy to help!

Skagit County collects permit fees per the fee schedule adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. Fees are due:

At time of application or request: plan review, critical area review, enforcement actions, septic permit, and water review.
At time of permit issuance: building, mechanical, plumbing, impact fees, and any other fees as determined during the review process (e.g., drainage review, fire sprinkler plan review).

Impact fees are established by cities, for properties in their urban growth areas, and by school districts. Impact fees can be substantial, and applicants should be prepared for their cost. Skagit County will collect these fees when processing a building permit and pass them along to the city or school district.

An application is valid for a period of 6 months. Prior to expiration, the Department will call or send you a letter (or your agent) notifying you the application is about to expire. You may request a one-time 6-month extension or request to withdraw the application. Requests for application extension or withdrawal need to be in writing.

Step 4. Wait for review.

Applications are routed to many different staff for review. Actual turn-around-time for permit issuance can depend on a variety of issues including, but not limited to, completeness of application, scope of project, setbacks from critical areas, and applicant response time to any requests for additional information.

You can check your permit status online.

Step 5. Obtain your permit.

You will be notified when your permit is ready to be issued. Payment for the remainder of your permit fees, including any impact fees, will be due before receiving it. Payment may be made via credit card, check, or money order; cash is not accepted.

Step 6. Get your inspections.

Inspections during construction ensure that your project is built to code. Inspections may include:

Erosion control measures for disturbed area
Setbacks from property lines or critical areas
Foundation footings, walls
Shear walls
Framing, plumbing, mechanical
Blocking and tie-downs (manufactured home)
Insulation, energy code, drywall
Skirting and venting (manufactured home)
Stormwater control methods
Final occupancy

Many inspections are listed on your card, but not all apply to your project. Additional inspections may be required for special conditions on your building permit, e.g. critical area or shoreline mitigation. Be sure to call for inspection at each step so that stage of construction can be properly inspected. For example, if you cover your framing with insulation or drywall, you will impede inspections of the framing and may be required to remove the obstructions.

Call our 24-hour inspection request line at (360) 416-1330. Requests called in before 7:30 a.m. get a same-day inspection. Guemes Island inspections are scheduled for Tuesday and Friday mornings. To talk with your inspector, call our office at (360) 416-1320 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Step 7. Complete your work and get final approval.

Your final inspection will ensure that your building is ready for occupancy. Commercial buildings will be issued a Certificate of Occupancy. You must not occupy your structure before the final inspection is approved.

A permit is valid for three years from the date of issuance regardless of inspection frequency. Fees to renew an expired permit are 30% of the cost of a current permit. If you modify your plans or project from what is shown in the original approved documents, additional plan review fees will be due.

Application

Building Permit Application
Building Permit Revisions

Supplemental Information

Building Permit Tips for Success
Expedited or Fast-Tracked Building Permits
Building Permit Revision Policy

Helpful Worksheets

Site Plan Checklist
Title Notice Worksheet

Building Permit Application
[Separated]