Building Permits in Spokane

Spokane requires a building permit for most construction, alteration, and repair work that affects structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems. Permits are issued by the City of Spokane Development Services Center, specifically the Planning & Development Services — Building Services Division, which administers plan review, field inspections, and code enforcement.

Spokane enforces the Washington State Building Code — a statewide mandatory code framework established under RCW Chapter 19.27 and administered by the Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC). The state code is based on the ICC family of model codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IECC, IFC) with Washington-specific amendments. The most notable state-level amendment is the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), which imposes stricter energy efficiency requirements than the base IECC. Washington State adopts updated code editions on a statewide schedule, and all Washington cities — including Spokane — are required to enforce the state code.

When You Need a Permit

You generally need a Spokane building permit for:

• New construction, additions, and accessory structures (including ADUs — Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Structural alterations, load-bearing wall changes, and foundation work
• Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical (HVAC) changes — including replacing equipment in many cases
• Reroofing and window or door openings in exterior walls
• Swimming pools, spas, and retaining walls above a height threshold
• Decks and patios attached to a structure
• Demolition of any habitable structure
• Changes of occupancy or use

Minor cosmetic work (painting, floor coverings, cabinetry without plumbing or electrical changes) is typically exempt. When in doubt, contact the Development Services Center at (509) 625-6300 before starting work.

Washington State Building Code — Statewide Mandate

Unlike states where building code adoption is optional or varies by jurisdiction, Washington State mandates a single unified building code framework for all jurisdictions under RCW Chapter 19.27 — State Building Code Act. Key points:

• The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) adopts and amends the codes at the state level
• All counties, cities, and towns in Washington — including Spokane — are legally required to enforce the state code
• Local jurisdictions may adopt more restrictive local amendments but cannot be less restrictive than the state code
• The code is based on the ICC model codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFC) plus the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), which is Washington's amendment to the IECC and imposes notably higher energy efficiency standards
• The SBCC website (sbcc.wa.gov) publishes the current adopted code editions and effective dates

This statewide mandate means that builders and contractors working anywhere in Washington, including Spokane, operate under a consistent foundational code, reducing the jurisdictional fragmentation common in other states.

Spokane Online Permit Portal (ACA)

The Spokane Online Permit Portal, powered by Accela Citizen Access (ACA), is available at my.spokanecity.org. It is the primary platform for permit applications, plan review, fee payment, and inspection scheduling.

Through the portal you can:

• Create a personal or contractor account
• Submit new permit applications for residential and commercial projects
• Upload plans and supporting documents for electronic plan review
• Respond to plan review comments and resubmit corrected documents
• Pay fees online
• Request and track construction inspections
• View permit status and history

In-person assistance is available at the Development Services Center. Contact the Building Services Division at (509) 625-6300 for questions about specific projects.

Permit Costs

Spokane building permit fees are established in the official fee schedule published by the Building Services Division. Fees are generally calculated based on:

• Building permit fee — scales with project valuation
• Plan review fee — a percentage of the building permit fee, typically paid at application
• Trade permit fees — separate permits and fees for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work
• State surcharge — Washington State assesses a small surcharge on each permit, remitted to the state

Do not rely on third-party fee estimates. Always check the current fee schedule on the City of Spokane Building Services page linked in the sources above.

Typical Timeline

Processing times vary with project complexity, plan completeness, and current workload at the Development Services Center.

Contact the Development Services Center for current turnaround estimates. Second and subsequent correction cycles are typically faster than the first review when the applicant fully addresses all plan review comments.

The Process

1. Research: Confirm your property's zoning, applicable overlay districts, and whether flood zone or other special regulations apply
2. Pre-application guidance: For complex projects, contact the Development Services Center at (509) 625-6300 for pre-application assistance
3. Plans: Prepare construction drawings; Washington State law requires licensed architects or engineers to stamp documents for projects above certain size and complexity thresholds
4. Submit via ACA Portal: Create an account at my.spokanecity.org, complete the permit application, and upload required documents
5. Pay application fees: Fees are typically due at application submission
6. Plan review: Building Services reviews for compliance with the Washington State Building Code, Spokane Municipal Code, and applicable zoning requirements
7. Corrections: Respond to plan review comments in the portal and resubmit until approved
8. Permit issuance: Pay any remaining fees and receive the approved permit; post the permit on site as required
9. Inspections: Schedule required inspections at each construction phase through the portal or by phone
10. Final: Pass final inspection and, where applicable, receive a Certificate of Occupancy

Inspections

Typical required inspection stages for residential projects include:

• Footing / foundation — before concrete placement
• Underground plumbing and electrical — before backfill
• Framing — before insulation or interior covering
• Rough plumbing, electrical, and mechanical — separate trade inspections
• Insulation — after installation and before drywall
• Drywall / wallboard — before taping (if required)
• Final building and trade inspections — after all work is complete

Schedule inspections through the Spokane Online Permit Portal (ACA) at my.spokanecity.org, or by calling the Building Services Division at (509) 625-6300. Post the approved permit and approved plans on site and make them available for the inspector.

Common Reasons for Denial or Corrections

• Plans do not comply with the Washington State Building Code (IBC/IRC with WA amendments) or the Washington State Energy Code (WSEC)
• Missing structural calculations, engineering stamps, or energy compliance documentation
• Zoning conflicts — setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, or use not permitted in the applicable district
• Missing site plan details — drainage, grading, or utility service information
• Historic district or overlay zone review not completed before building permit submittal
• FEMA flood zone — projects in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) require additional review and may require elevation certificates
• Incomplete submittal — missing documents, unsigned forms, or fees not paid

Official Sources

Always verify current requirements with the City of Spokane Building Services Division and the Spokane Online Permit Portal before starting your project. For state-level code questions, consult the Washington State Building Code Council at sbcc.wa.gov. See the sources listed in the frontmatter for direct links.

Disclaimer: This guide summarizes publicly available information from official City of Spokane and Washington State sources and is provided for general orientation only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. Building code and permitting requirements change — always confirm current rules with the City of Spokane Building Services Division at (509) 625-6300 or my.spokanecity.org before submitting plans or starting construction.