Lakewood, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

040, which applies IBC Chapter 1's administrative provisions to every code folded into the Lakewood Building Code, including the IRC, IMC, IFC, UPC and IPMC. 060(A)), the only work automatically exempt from a building permit is a retaining wall not over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, set back from any property line or structure by at least the wall's own height, and not supporting a surcharge or Class I, II or II-A liquids; every other retaining wall needs a permit.

060(B)); the Building Official can grant up to two 90-day extensions without an administrative fee, and further extensions require a written, justified request plus a fee. 060(C)); the same two-extension structure applies, but up to 180 days each. 060(D) ties the permit to the property owner rather than the applicant, so a change of ownership mid-project requires notifying the building department to update the permit record. 060(G) lets the Building Official refund 100% of an erroneously paid fee, or up to 80% of the permit or plan-review fee on a timely written withdrawal request filed within 180 days of payment.