Quick facts: Washington
- Building code enforced by
- Counties and cities (RCW 19.27.050)
- Before a building permit
- City or county verifies your registration (RCW 18.27.110)
- Electrical work
- Requires a permit and inspection
- Electrical permits issued by
- L&I, or the city if it runs its own
- Who buys electrical permits
- The electrical contractor, or the owner doing the work
Fees, rules and rates change, often on July 1 and January 1. Verify every item with the responsible agency before you rely on it.
Short answer: In Washington, building permits come from the city or county where the job is, and they must check your contractor registration before issuing one. Electrical permits come from L&I unless the city runs its own program, and an electrical contractor must buy its own permits before starting work.
Updated October 12, 2026. Requirements and fees change; confirm with the agency named on this page.
Washington has one state building code, but no single permit office. Who issues the permit depends on the kind of work and where the job is. This guide sorts out building and electrical permits and the registration check that comes with them.
Who issues building permits in Washington?
The local government. RCW 19.27.050 says "The state building code required by this chapter shall be enforced by the counties and cities." Inside city limits that usually means the city's building department. In unincorporated areas it means the county. Fees, plan review and inspection scheduling are set locally, so check the jurisdiction's permit page before you price the job.
Will the city check your contractor registration?
Yes. RCW 18.27.110 says "No city, town or county shall issue a construction building permit for work which is to be done by any contractor" without verifying the contractor's registration, and "failure to verify the contractor registration number results in liability to the city, town, or county." The same statute has permit offices tell applicants about "the potential risk and monetary liability to the homeowner for using an unregistered contractor."
In practice, have your 12-digit L&I registration number ready and make sure it is active. A suspended or expired registration can hold up the permit, because the statute requires the permit office to verify it. See denied or suspended registration.
Do you need an electrical permit in Washington?
Yes, for electrical work. L&I says "Electrical work in Washington requires a permit and inspection." and "You must purchase a permit before starting any electrical work."
Who issues it?
L&I, unless the city has its own program. L&I's page covers the case "If your jobsite is in a city that does their own permits and inspections," and says "All other jobsites in Washington are permitted and inspected by L&I."
Who buys it?
The person doing the work. L&I says "Electrical permits must be purchased by the electrical contractor or the property owner or homeowner" and "If you are hiring an electrical contractor, they must purchase their own permits for the work they do on your property." A general contractor cannot cover a sub's electrical work by pulling one permit for everything.
What about plumbing and mechanical permits?
Those are generally local, issued with or alongside the building permit by the city or county under the state building code. Plumbers still need their L&I certification, and plumbing contractors their L&I registration. See the specialty class list for trades that stack licenses.
A permit checklist for small contractors
- Confirm the jurisdiction: city or unincorporated county.
- Confirm your L&I registration is active and your bond and insurance are current.
- Pull the building permit before work starts, or confirm the owner has.
- For electrical work, confirm who issues electrical permits there, and have the electrical contractor buy its own.
- Schedule inspections before covering anything up.
- Keep permit and inspection records with the job file.
This guide is general education, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the current requirement with the city, county or L&I office for the job before you act.
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Common questions
Who issues building permits in Washington State?
Cities and counties. RCW 19.27.050 says the state building code is enforced by the counties and cities, so you apply with the building department where the job is located.
Does the city check my contractor registration before issuing a permit?
Yes. RCW 18.27.110 bars a city, town or county from issuing a construction building permit for a contractor's work without verifying the registration, and makes the local government liable if it fails to verify.
Who buys the electrical permit in Washington?
The electrical contractor, or the property owner doing the work. L&I says a hired electrical contractor must purchase its own permits, and the permit must be bought before any electrical work starts.
Sources
Official pages checked on 2026-10-12.
- app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.27.050
- app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.110
- lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/electrical-permits-fees-and-inspections/
- lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/register-as-a-contractor/