Community Dev FAQ

Building permits are required in Lewis County, Washington. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure (including decks) must obtain the required permit.  Failure to obtain a required permit may result in enforcement action(s) being taken by Lewis County.

Work exempt from permit includes (but not limited to):

• One-story detached accessory structure used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 sq. ft. Residential or 120 sq. ft. non-residential or commercial.
• Fences not over 6 feet high.
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
• Water tanks not exceeding 5,000 gallons and supported directly on grade (ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1).
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or structure below. (Fill/Grade permit may be required for driveway)
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter work and similar finish work.
• Prefabricated above ground swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep and do not exceed 5,000 gallons.
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two- family dwellings.
• Window awnings (residential only) supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from exterior wall and do no require additional support.
• Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes and not including service systems.(non-residential only)
• Moveable cases, counters and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches (non residential only).
• Uncovered decks less than 30" above grade at any point and less than 300 sq. ft. and does not serve the exit door required by code.

The exemptions listed under "WHEN ARE PERMITS REQUIRED" is not a complete list of all exemptions.  For the complete listing refer to the 2009 International Building Code for exemptions for commercial use; and the 2009 International Residential Code 105.2 for exemptions for residential use.

Generally two (2) to four (4) weeks will be required for issuance of single-family residential use permits (home, storage building, garage).  Commercial or industrial buildings, and multi-family residential use permits may require a minimum of four (4) weeks depending on the project and scope of reviews involved. However, during the peak building season (May thru October) the processing time for all permits can take longer.

Permits are valid for 180 days (6 months) after date of issuance and remain valid for 180 days after each inspection.The Lewis County Building Official may grant an extension.  Requests for extensions must be made prior to the date of expiration of any permit.

You will need to pay the building plan review fee for your permit at the time it is submitted.  Other fees may be required at the time of submittal, such as planning review, septic permit, water availability. The scope of the project will determine what reviews and permits are required. All remaining fees will be due at the time the permit is issued (building, mechanical and plumbing permit).

Currently fees can be taken in the form of cash or checks. Credit or debit cards are not accepted. Contact the Permit Center for additional information on the costs and payment process.

Your construction plans can be drawn on any size paper as long as they are legible and complete.  However, there is an additional fee charged for plans larger than 14"x17" in size. This is due to the additional time and equipment required to prepare over-sized documents for scanning and for file space. The fee is $20.00 for the 1st page and $5.00 for each additonal page. To avoid this additional fee, you need only to submit at least one set of plans that are 14"x17" or smaller.

1. Applicants name, mailing address, and telephone number.
2. Tax parcel number of property being developed (copy of assessor’s map showing subject property and surrounding properties.)
3. Site address (may be applied for at the Lewis County Permit Center).
4. Septic and water approval from the Environmental Services Division or, if utilizing a city connection(s), written authorization from the respective City (forms provided by the Permit Center).
5. Permission to Enter Authorization signed by the property/homeowner or representative (forms provided by the Permit Center) authorizing entry on the property for the purpose of conducting the required inspections.
6. Evidence of compliance with the 2009 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC).  Show method of compliance by either Prescriptive Approach (information available at the Permit Center), Component Performance Approach or System Analysis Approach. Additional information regarding the code can be found at www.engery.wsu.edu.
7. If a contractor is to be employed, a copy of their Washington State Contractor’s License including business name, address, phone number, contractor registration number, and expiration date, will be required prior to permit issuance.
8. Evidence of an approved Road Approach Permit with minimum access of 30’ wide.. Access from a county road must be approved by Lewis County Department of Public Works. Access from a state highway must be approved by Washington State Department of Transportation. Access from private roads require approval from LCDPW,WSDOT or US Forest Service depending on the point of origination of the private road.
9. The County will perform a review of your project for compliance with all Lewis County zoning requirements (Title 17) including Critical Areas and Resource Lands Ordinances. A plot plan (layout of the project proposal on the subject property) is required and shall include the following:
   • Show the lot or parcel’s dimensions and area.
   • Show the location and dimension of all proposed building(s) to include, setbacks from property lines, all existing buildings or structures, driveways, right-of-ways, septic tank and drainfield.
   • Show location of any waterbodies (i.e., ponds, creeks, intermittent creeks, rivers, etc.).
   • Show existing or proposed access to the property (driveways).
   • Indicate “North Arrow”.
10. Two (2) complete sets of building plans, to include:
    • Foundation plan:Show size, materials and reinforcement (re-bar or steel, mud seals, j-bolts, etc.).
    • Floor plan of each floor:Show all plumbing fixtures, and heating system locations.Include all door and window sizes on the plan.Include total square footage for each floor.
    • Wall section(s) to show details of construction.
    • Exterior elevations (all sides) to include windows/doors.
    • Roof plan.
    • Architect’s name, address, and phone number.
All plans shall be drawn to scale on substantial paper and shall be clear enough to show the nature and extent of the proposed work and must include all items noted above.

Please note: INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

1. Septic system as-built and/or installers checklist
2. Final approved road approach permit (if access from county road)
3. Water Well Report
4. Bacteria Water Test
5. Nitrate Water Test

The Building Official may require plans, computations and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the State of Washington.

Building projects over 3,000 square feet and residential buildings over four dwelling units must be prepared (or reviewed) and stamped by a registered architect or engineer.

Residences or accessory buildings (garage, storage, etc.) with a wall height 14 foot or taller must be reviewed and stamped by a licensed structural engineer.

Building with a clear span of 40’ must be prepared (or reviewed) and stamped by a licensed structural engineer.

One set of approved plans and specifications shall be retained by the Lewis County Building Division for a period of not less than 90 days of completion of the work covered.  One set of approved plans and specifications shall be returned to the applicant and must be kept on such building or work site at all times until authorized work is completed. Approved plans and specifications shall not be changed, modified, or altered without authorization from the Building Official.

The Lewis County Permit Center can assist you in locating your property on the floodplain designation maps provided by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).  If your project falls within a designated 100-year floodplain, you will be required to obtain a Floodplain Development Permit (to include an elevation certificate prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer).

All electrical permits and inspections are obtained through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Electrical Inspection Division.They may be contacted by telephone at (360) 902-6350 in Tumwater, or (360) 575-6900 in Longview.

Residential Setback:

• From County Road, 25 feet from right of way (minimum of 55 feet from centerline).
• Front, 25 feet from right of way
• Side, 10 feet from property line
• Rear, 25 feet from property line, for structures in excess of 100 square feet

Commercial/Industrial Setback

• Front, 10 feet from right of way
• Side, 10 feet from property line
• Rear, 0 feet, except 25 feet from property line when abutting a residential zone.

Setbacks from Easements or Private Roads must meet the minimum requirements as indicated above for residential or commercial development.

Height limits

• Residential, 35 feet
• Commercial, 50 feet, except 35 feet when abutting (or within 50 feet of) a residential zone
• Industrial, 50 feet plus one foot for every foot from property lines
• Agriculture, resource, communication, and public utility uses, none

Click here for the Roof Snow Load Requirements

Basic Wind Speed is 85 miles per hour with the exposure determined by the following definitions:

• Exposure B has terrain with buildings, forest, or surface irregularities, covering at least 20 percent of the ground level area extending one mile or more from the site.
•  Exposure C has terrain that is flat and generally open, extending one-half mile or more from the site in any full quadrant.

We are in Seismic zone D-1.

The 2006 Edition of the various International Codes were adopted by Washington State and became effective statewide on July 1, 2007. 

Lewis County Code

• Title 08 - Health and Safety
• Title 15 - Building Codes
• Title 16 - Subdivisions
• Title 17 - Land Use

To search the Lewis County Code online click HERE

The following projects are exempt from the SEPA review process:

• Five or less residential dwelling units
• Residential accessory buildings (garage, storage, pumphouse, etc.) up to 4,000 square feet in size
• Agricultural buildings (aggregate square footage totaling up to 30,000 square feet)
• Landfills and excavations up to 500 cubic yards outside a floodplain
• Parking lots (up to 20 spaces).