Franklin County, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted codes
- 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC, WA amendments
- Permit issuer
- Franklin County Planning and Building Department
- Work must start within
- 180 calendar days of issuance
- Permit expiration
- 2 years from issuance (exceptions 90 days)
- Unpermitted work penalty
- Permit fee doubled
- Criminal penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine / 90 days jail
Summary
Franklin County adopts the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code, and requires a building permit from the Planning and Building Department before covered work starts. A permit lapses if work is not started within 180 days or is suspended for 180 days.
The 2021 edition of the International Building Code, as published by the International Code Council, is hereby adopted by reference with the following additions of Appendix Chapters: C, D, E, H, I, and J, as if fully set out in this chapter. ... "A building permit shall be obtained from the Franklin County Planning and Building Department. The permit shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 calendar days from the date of permit issuance, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. In any case, the permit shall expire by limitation two (2) years from the date of issuance, with the following exceptions:
Full Breakdown
030 similarly adopts the 2021 International Residential Code. Together these set the baseline for when a permit is required: any construction, alteration, or work covered by those adopted codes. 5 of both codes to spell out Franklin County's own permit terms: a building permit must be obtained from the Franklin County Planning and Building Department, and it expires and becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 calendar days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after it starts.
In any case the permit expires two years from issuance, though demolition, water heater, siding, roofing, factory-assembled-structure, and HVAC repair permits expire in just 90 days. A revalidation permit at 25% of the original fee can extend an expired-but-substantially-complete permit, capped at one revalidation valid for up to a year, and up to four six-month extensions where the exterior is already complete. 190, based on February 2020 ICC Building Valuation Data, and starting work without a permit doubles the permit fee under that same fee schedule.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit doubles the applicable permit fee under Section 15.12.190's fee table. Beyond that, Section 15.12.260 makes it unlawful, and a misdemeanor, to construct, alter, extend, or occupy any building or structure in violation of the adopted codes or to continue work after a stop-work order issues; conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What code does Franklin County use for building permits?
How long is a Franklin County building permit valid?
What happens if I start construction without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Washington building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.