Pasco, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- State-adopted IBC(s) via PMC 16.05.010
- Plan review fee
- 65% of permit fee (over $10,000 valuation)
- R-3 plan review fee
- $50 flat
- Application abandoned after
- 30 days if not pursued
- Max fine
- $500.00 per violation, per day
Summary
Pasco requires all construction to conform to the state-adopted International Building Code(s) under PMC 16.05.010. New construction, enlargement, repair, moving, removal, demolition or conversion of a building must be permitted and built to code, with limited exemptions like roofing and siding replacement that skip structural work.
The City of Pasco hereby adopts the State Building Code (Chapter 19.27 RCW) as thereinafter amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, published as Chapter 51-50 WAC, and all provisions thereof applying throughout this title, and adopts by reference the most current state-adopted International Building Code(s) and their appendices thereof as published by the International Code Council as thereinafter amended; and all buildings hereinafter erected or constructed, enlarged, repaired, moved, removed, demolished, or converted shall be done in conformity with the provisions of said codes, except as expressly provided herein.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4837, passed May 4, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010. Any building 'hereinafter erected or constructed, enlarged, repaired, moved, removed, demolished, or converted' must conform to those codes. 020 is the City Manager or an authorized designee, administers and enforces permitting and may delegate inspection duties to Building Inspectors. 2's 'work exempt from permit' list: sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, residential roofing/underlayment replacement limited to roofing, underlayment and flashing, and residential siding/water-resistive barrier replacement limited to siding, veneer, barrier and flashing. Any of those jobs that touch structural sheathing, structural framing, or a fire-resistive assembly still needs a permit.
070 sets a plan-review fee of 65 percent of the building permit fee (only $50 for new R-3 single-family occupancies), collected before the Building Official checks the plans. 060, a building permit application is deemed abandoned 30 days after the City accepts it unless pursued in good faith or a permit is issued, though the Building Official can grant successive 30-day written extensions for justifiable cause. 100, which must be posted conspicuously except for R-3 occupancies.
Violations & Fines
PMC 16.05.180 makes it unlawful to violate any provision of the building code chapter. Individuals, firms and corporations alike face a fine of up to $500.00 per violation, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, so an unpermitted project can generate a new $500 exposure daily until it is brought into compliance or permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does re-roofing my Pasco house need a permit?
How long is a Pasco building permit application good for before it lapses?
Can I occupy a new building before final inspection in Pasco?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco
Compare Pasco 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.