Building Permit Applications:
Apply for a Building permit
Master Fee Schedule

Building Permit Checklists:
Commercial Building Permit Submittal Checklist
Single Family Residential Structures and Accessory Buildings Minimum Submittal Requirements for Structural Plans
Checklist for Single-Family Homes, Additions, Garages, and other Residential Structures

Increase in State Fee for Commercial and Residential Projects as of July 1, 2018:
April 12, 2018 Letter from Richard Brown, Managing Director, State Building Code Council

Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing

Permit Information

An electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit is required for most work

  • An electrical permit is required for any change to a wiring system
  • A mechanical permit is required to replace a furnace, add an air conditioning system, etc.
  • A plumbing permit is required for any new plumbing work or replacing a water heater

NOTE: If you have questions on whether a permit is needed, please contact city hall.

Why do I need these permits?

Washington State Code and the City of Granite Falls regulates construction to ensure it is safe and code compliant.  City consultants provide inspections for permitted work and verify compliance with the appropriate code.

In addition, permits and inspectors help to safeguard persons and property from hazards that arise from improper installation.  Examples of the benefits of pulling a permit include:

Mechanical Permit

  • Improper venting of an appliance may cause exhaust gases from a fuel burning appliance to enter occupied areas.  Your inspector can help prevent this.

Plumbing Permit

  • Inspections ensure that drainage fittings, water piping, gas piping, and water heaters are all installed properly.
  • For a water heater, earthquake straps are inspected because they prevent structural damage and the gas pipe from rupturing during an earthquake.

Electrical Permits

  • The City of Granite Falls does not permit or inspect for electrical permits.  You can apply through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries at this link


Miscellaneous Building Permit Information

Building size limitations which require a permit = 200 SF or higher
Snow Load = 25 pounds per square foot
Wind = 110 mph
Exposure B
3 second gust
Frost Depth = 18″
Seismic Zone = D-1
Elevation = 391 ft. (survey monument next to city hall)

Building Codes: (Ordinance No. 1002-2021– Adopting the 2018 Building Codes)

2018 International Building Code (IBC)
2018 International Residential Code
2018 International Existing Building Code
2018 International Property Maintenance Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 Uniform Plumbing Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
2018 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code
2018 International Fire Code
2018 Washington State Residential Energy Code

Tip Sheets

00. Permit Needed/Not Needed – COMING SOON
01. Basic Stairs
02. Handrails
03. Residential Guards (Guardrails)
04. Residential Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms
05. Deck Tip Sheet – COMING SOON
06. Garage Separation
07. Water Heaters – COMING SOON
08. Single-User Accessible Restrooms
09. Accessible Parking Spaces
10. Residential Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
11. Notching & Boring Rafters/Joists/Studs
13. Ramps and Landings
14. Accessibility and Door Clearance
17. Kitchens – Type A Unit
18. Kitchens – Type B Unit
19. Safety Glazing
22. Residential Attic HVAC Equipment – COMING SOON
23. Window Fall Protection
24. Residential Solar Systems – COMING SOON
25. Garage Conversions

Contract Building Inspectors:

Tim Nordtvedt, Building Official, Plans Examiner, Inspector
Dick Lachapelle = Inspector

Inspections:

Require 24 hours notice.  Please contact Becky Aiken, Deputy City Clerk to schedule inspections (360) 691-6441 or Becky.Aiken@ci.granite-falls.wa.us