Renton, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Under the Construction Administrative Code at RMC 4-5-060, Section 105.1 makes the permit trigger broad: any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, must first apply to the Building Official and obtain the permit before starting work. Contractors who regularly employ tradespeople can apply for an annual permit under Section 105.1.1 instead of pulling a separate permit for every alteration to an already-approved electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing installation, but must keep a detailed alteration record the Building Official can inspect on request (105.1.2).

Electrical work additionally needs its own electrical permit under chapter 19.28 RCW per Section 105.1.3, covering everything from standard wiring to low-voltage Class 1-3 circuits and, in R-1/R-2 occupancies, backbone telecommunications installations and any run of more than ten outlets in common areas. Grading work needs a separate grading permit under Section 105.1.4. Section 105.2 then lists specific exemptions: detached accessory structures under 200 square feet used as tool sheds or playhouses, fences no more than 6 feet high, retaining walls under 4 feet, water tanks under 5,000 gallons, decks and driveways no more than 30 inches above grade, in-kind re-roofing without sheathing replacement, and rooftop residential solar systems meeting the criteria in 105.2xxi (engineered mounting, panels no higher than 18 inches above the roof surface, dead load capped at 4 pounds per square foot). Exemptions do not authorize work that otherwise violates the code, and none apply within flood hazard areas or City-designated critical areas.