Building Services

General Building Permit Information

GRANITE FALLS ONLINE PERMIT PORTAL

Electrical, Mechanical, and PlumbingAn 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 InformationBuilding 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

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

Document Center

The Document Center provides easy access to public documents. Click on one of the categories below to see related documents or use the search function.

Search for file name:

Categories always sorted by seq (sub-categories sorted within each category)
Documents sorted by SEQ in Ascending Order within category

RESET

Building Permit Applications2 documents

• Apply for a Building permit - Online Permit Portal
  document seq 0.00
• Master Fee Schedule - List of Building Permit Fees
  document seq 0.00

Building Permit Checklists3 documents

• Commercial Building Permit Submittal Checklist
  document seq 0.00
• Single Family Residential Structures and Accessory Buildings Minimum Submittal Requirements for Structural Plans
  document seq 0.00
• Checklist for Single-Family Homes, Additions, Garages, and other Residential Structures
  document seq 0.00

Construction Tip Sheets21 documents

• 01. Basic Stairs
  document seq 0.00
• 02. Handrails
  document seq 0.00
• 03. Residential Guards (Guardrails)
  document seq 0.00
• 04. Residential Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarms
  document seq 0.00
• 06. Garage Separation
  document seq 0.00
• 08. Single-User Accessible Restrooms
  document seq 0.00
• 09. Accessible Parking Spaces
  document seq 0.00
• 10. Residential Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings
  document seq 0.00
• 11. Notching & Boring Rafters/Joists/Studs
  document seq 0.00
• 13. Ramps and Landings
  document seq 0.00
• 14. Accessibility and Door Clearance
  document seq 0.00
• 17. Kitchens – Type A Unit
  document seq 0.00
• 18. Kitchens – Type B Unit
  document seq 0.00
• 19. Safety Glazing
  document seq 0.00
• 23. Window Fall Protection
  document seq 0.00
• 25. Garage Conversions
  document seq 0.00
• 00. Permit Needed/Not Needed
  document seq 0.00
• 05. Deck Tip Sheet
  document seq 0.00
• 07. Water Heaters
  document seq 0.00
• 22. Residential Attic HVAC Equipment
  document seq 0.00
• 24. Residential Solar Systems
  document seq 0.00