Benton County, WA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

In unincorporated Benton County, the Planning and Building Department administers inspections under Chapter 3.04 BCC, which adopts the 2021 Editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, and International Fire Code. BCC 3.04.053(a) requires that all applicable Building Department inspections required by those codes, and by any other federal, state or local agency with jurisdiction, be requested and approved before the county will issue a Certificate of Occupancy. A road encroachment permit from the road authority must also be finalized before occupancy is granted under BCC 3.04.053(b).

Inspection timing is tied directly to permit life. Under BCC 3.04.039, a new Section 105.5.1 (IBC) and R105.5.1 (IRC) provide that every building permit expires two years from issuance unless the applicant requests, in writing, an extension supported by justifiable cause; once a permit lapses, the code states plainly that no inspections will be conducted after expiration of a permit unless a new permit is applied for and issued. An extension, when granted, runs for one additional year only and costs 25 percent of the original permit fee, except that model-home permits are excused from the extension fee if a final inspection is requested and a Certificate of Occupancy obtained within 60 days after sales operations end.

When work fails an inspection, BCC 3.04.035 authorizes the county to assess a reinspection fee, set by Board of County Commissioners resolution, for each inspection or reinspection called when the portion of work for which the inspection was requested is not complete, or when corrections ordered at a prior inspection have not been made. That fee is separate from the base building permit fee (BCC 3.04.028/3.04.030 series) and the permit processing fee charged under BCC 3.04.034. Disputes over an inspector's or building official's decision go to the joint Board of Appeals created for Benton and Franklin counties and the cities of Kennewick, Richland and West Richland, which must issue written findings on every appeal it hears.