Chelan County, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit expiration
- Two years from date of issuance
- Renewal
- One extra year, 50% of original fee, once only
- Exempt: sheds/ag buildings
- ≤288 sq ft floor area
- Exempt: fences
- Not over 7 feet high
- Exempt: retaining walls
- Not over 4 feet high
- After-the-fact fee
- Double the standard building permit fee
Summary
Chelan County requires a building permit for most construction in the unincorporated county, though Section 3.04.100 exempts small sheds, low fences and retaining walls, sidewalks and similar minor work. Every issued permit expires two years from issuance and can be renewed once, for one additional year, at half the original fee, under Section 3.04.040.
Section 105.5, R105.5 Expiration. A. Every building permit issued shall expire two years from the date of issuance. ... Every permit may be renewed for a period of one year beyond the original expiration date for an additional fee equal to 50 percent of the original building permit fee, as long as no changes have been made to the originally approved plans and new building codes have not been adopted. Renewals must be applied for prior to the expiration date of the original permit. No building permit shall be renewed more than once. ... R105.2 Work exempt from permit. ... Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.
Full Breakdown
2 to exempt specific activities from the permit requirement in unincorporated Chelan County: one-story detached accessory structures (sheds, ag storage buildings, playhouses) up to 288 square feet; fences no more than 7 feet high; retaining walls no more than 4 feet high; water tanks up to 5,000 gallons; sidewalks and driveways; decks up to 288 square feet and no more than 30 inches above grade that aren't attached to a dwelling; in-kind reroofing and window/door replacement; bathroom and kitchen fixture swaps; and above-ground spas not connected to plumbing, among others.
Everything outside that list needs a permit. 5 so that every issued building permit expires two years from issuance; the building official can approve an extended expiration for commercial projects with an approved construction schedule, and any permit can be renewed once for one additional year at 50 percent of the original permit fee, provided the approved plans haven't changed, no new code has been adopted, and the renewal is filed before the original expiration date. 050, reviewed and approved by separate resolution of the Board of County Commissioners.
Violations & Fines
Building without a required permit, or working outside a Section 3.04.100 exemption, is a misdemeanor under Section 3.04.020: each day the unpermitted work continues is a separate offense, punishable by up to a $500.00 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Community Development can also assess an after-the-fact permit fee equal to double the standard building permit fee once unpermitted work is discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a shed in unincorporated Chelan County?
How long does a Chelan County building permit last?
What if I build without a permit in Chelan County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelan County
Compare Chelan County to another location·View the Washington building safety overview
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