The Easy Way to Apply for Pierce County Building Permits

If you are planning a home renovation or remodeling project in Pierce County, you need a building permit. are written authorization issued by the county to ensure the safety of the work and its compliance with building, construction, and zoning codes. Unfortunately, applying for a building permit isn't always easy. The process is lengthy and requires you to fill out several forms, prepare site surveys, interview neighbors, seek HOA approval, research regulations for your zoning, and more. DoNotPay can help make the process easier, so you can successfully get a building permit and start your renovation with ease.

When Is a Building Permit Necessary in Pierce County?

Pierce county ordinances state that any building project that exceeds 200 square feet in the area requires a building permit. This means even simple projects such as fence installation require a permit. Ignoring the permit requirements results in adverse consequences, including hefty fines. As mentioned earlier, it can all be quite overwhelming to get a in the county, especially when handling small projects. DoNotPay 's Planning Permissions product can help with the following:

Check if your project even needs a building permit in the first place
Contact any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission
Generate a step-by-step guide on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

How to Get a Building Permit in Pierce County on Your Own

The Development Center is Pierce County's central location for Building Permits. There are three methods to apply for a building permit in Pierce county: online services, using dropbox, and in-person services available in the lobby of the Development Center.

Online Applications

Some of the steps to apply for a permit online include:

Gathering submittal forms: Visit the Pierce county online portal and look up forms for the types of projects you want to build. The list appears in alphabetical order.
Fill the correct form: Fill the proper form and move to the next step. You can check the form types here.
Create a site plan: A site plan is a crucial part of the permitting process. Submitting the wrong site plan leads to lengthy delays.
Submit the application: Attach all relevant documentation and upload PDF versions of your submittal materials. The Applicant attestation form must be included with your submittal. Pierce County will contact you within a few days with specific instructions for completing the process.
Track online: Building permits typically take between 4 and 6 weeks. You can track the status of your application online by signing up for eNotification.

In-Person Applications

You can also visit the Development Center for personal application. The following is the process for making in-person applications:

Reserve a table in the lobby before making a visit. The reserved place serves as a waiting area during your visit.
Review visiting the Development Center Process. Bring the required documents and wait for your turn.

Applying via Dropbox

Pierce county provides a Planning & Public Works dropbox for all printed documents. The dropbox is located at the Pierce County Annex (East entrance). Fill the correct form and attach all the required documentation before dropping your application during typical office hours.

What Documents Are Required for a Building Permit in Pierce County

Documents needed to obtain a building permit may include any of the following and more:

Site plan
Floor plan
Mechanical drawings
HOA approvals (where necessary)

Undoubtedly, the DIY methods to get a building permit in Pierce County are time-consuming and frustrating. DoNotPay can help you apply for, file for, and obtain a building permit quickly and conveniently at the comfort of your couch.

How to Apply for a Building Permit Without a Hassle in Pierce County Using DoNotPay

If you want to apply for a building permit without a Hassle in Pierce County but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered. Create your own cancellation letter in 6 easy steps:

Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
Choose one of the following options:
1. Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
2. Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
3. Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.
Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and the timeline for the project.
Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.

What Fees Are Associated With Getting a Permit?

Building permits in Pierce County vary depending on the size and type of improvement. Generally, permit fees range from less than $100 for a small deck to $200 for larger projects. Application and inspection fees may also apply.

Leverage DoNotPay to Apply for a Building Permit in Pierce County Today

It is never wise to ignore Pierce County building permit requirements. Building permit violations come with hefty fines, and if you ever sell your property to a new homeowner, they can sue you for unpermitted construction. You can save money and time on your project with the help of our new Planning Permissions product designed to help you avoid the lengthy and frustrating bureaucratic process of obtaining a permit in Pierce County.

DoNotPay can help you get building permits not only in Pierce County but also in other places like: