Apply for Spokane Building Permits in 6 Easy Steps

Every municipality has unique building codes and ordinances dictating the planning, construction, remodeling, and demolition of properties. And the city of Spokane is no different. The following article will provide you with a general outline of how to obtain .

We'll also provide supporting details like when a building permit is necessary for Spokane, why you should get one, the required documents, and who to contact. But more importantly, we'll show you how to get a building permit effortlessly and hassle-free with the help of DoNotPay. So let's get started, shall we?

When Is a Building Permit Necessary in Spokane?

According to the Spokane County Document Center, "you'll need a building permit anytime you construct a new structure or enlarge, remodel, relocate, or demolish an existing structure". The document further states that "residential accessory buildings such as tool and storage sheds which are single-story and less than 200 square feet in area are exempt from permit requirements". Needless to say, it's necessary to get a building permit before you begin the project.

Why Should You Get a Building Permit in Spokane?

The main reason you need to apply for a building permit is that it helps ensure that your work complies with local laws and regulations. These standards include making sure that the site meets zoning requirements and health department rules regarding access to sewers, water sources, and so on. They also include ensuring that the structure conforms to fire, earthquake, and code specifications. And another thing, applying for a permit allows the Spokane municipality to ensure that any proposed change to your property is allowed under the present municipal code.

Other valid reasons to apply for include:

To avoid fines for non-compliance
To sell your house
If you plan to have a contractor perform work
To prevent future delays from contractors who don't know the law

What Types of Work Require a Building Permit in Spokane?

Here is a list of the various types of projects that require a building permit in Spokane:

Renovation	Requires a building permit if you add or remove any part of the home. Examples include adding a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, exterior siding, roofing material, etc.
Addition	Requires a building permit only if you make an addition to the structure which requires changes to the foundation, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating/cooling system, sprinkler systems, and the like.
Structural Alteration	Requires a building permit anytime you make any structural changes to the interior of the building.
New Construction	Requires a building permit, whether you're doing a full-blown renovation or just finishing out the rough framing. It also requires a separate inspection if you're going to connect the utilities later, such as installing a septic tank or gas line.

How to Get a Building Permit in Spokane

To help you understand the Spokane County building permit lookup procedure, we've provided answers to these three crucial questions:

What Documents Are Required?

These three documents are necessary to get a Spokane building permit:

Parcel number of the proposed site.
The legal description of the property (you can obtain this info from your property tax statement or from the County Assessor's office).
Street address (if your property lacks one, it will be assigned at the time of permit application).

After you've obtained these documents, you should get them notarized. A Notary Public is simply someone who will witness that the official copies of the documents were actually signed by you.

Who Do I Contact to Get a Spokane Building Permit?

After gathering the necessary documentation, it's time to contact the relevant authorities to start the journey of getting your building permit. In that regard, you'll need to contact your local building department for specific information about what type of permit you need and how long you'll need to wait. In some instances, however, you may need to contact the Spokane County Building and Planning Department.

What Does the Process Look Like for Getting a Permit?

The process for getting a permit is pretty straightforward on paper. But it may get a bit frustrating and time-consuming when doing it manually, as it may come with tons of twists and turns. Generally, after filling out the application form and obtaining the necessary documentation, you need to submit them to your local building department or Spokane County's Building and Planning department.

After rendering your submission, a building inspector will review it and make the appropriate recommendation. They'll also provide you with a rough estimate of when to expect the permit. The final stage after the inspector's approval is receiving a letter stating that the building permit has been issued, as well as a stamped copy of the permit.

How to Apply for a Building Permit Quickly and Easily With DoNotPay

If you don't wish to take the long route discussed above, DoNotPay has got you covered. It's a digital alternative of the manual procedure, automating virtually everything and ensuring that you get your permit effortlessly and begin your project on schedule. Here's how DoNotPay can help in six simple steps:

Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
Choose one of the following options:

Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
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 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.