Auburn, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Before starting construction covered by Auburn's adopted technical codes, an owner or contractor must file a written permit application with the department of community development under ACC 15.07.050. The application must identify and describe the work, give the tax parcel number and street address, state the intended use, occupancy and construction type, attach construction documents, state the valuation of the work, and be signed by the applicant or an authorized agent. It must also list the property owner's name, address and phone number, plus the prime contractor's business name, address, phone number, current Washington state contractor registration number and Auburn business license.

ACC 15.07.010 adopts the 2021 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fire, Fuel Gas, Plumbing and Energy Conservation Codes, so a permit is required for any work governed by those codes; the only exemptions under ACC 15.07.010(C) are work located primarily in a public way, public utility towers and poles, and hydraulic flood control structures. Plan review and permit fees are charged under the city's fee schedule (ACC 15.07.080), with an added investigation fee if work starts before a permit issues. The department of community development enforces Title 15, and the Auburn police chief may be called on to issue criminal citations under ACC 15.07.140.

A denied or disputed permit decision can be appealed to the city's hearing examiner within 20 calendar days of the decision under ACC 15.07.130, by filing a written appeal with the required filing fee.