Kirkland, WA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Required inspections
- Footing, slab, sheathing, frame, final
- Frame inspection trigger
- After framing complete, building substantially dry
- Reinspection fee
- Assessed when corrections not made
- Stop work fee
- Special investigation fee, KMC 21.06.620
- Enforcing agency
- Kirkland Planning and Building Department
- Governing chapter
- KMC 21.06, Construction Administrative Code
Summary
Kirkland requires a sequence of building-official inspections for any permitted construction, from footing and foundation through framing to a final inspection under KMC 21.06.420 through 21.06.515. Work must stay exposed and accessible until each stage is approved, and the building official can order a chargeable reinspection whenever earlier corrections weren't made.
Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. ... The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Sections 21.06.440 through 21.06.515. ... Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, fire suppression piping, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved and the building is substantially dry.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4945, passed July 21, 2026).
Full Breakdown
06 KMC, the city's construction administrative code, sets the mandatory inspection sequence for any project permitted under the adopted technical codes. 420 requires that all permitted work remain accessible and exposed for inspection until the building official approves it, and makes clear that a passed inspection never authorizes a code violation. 515. 495, covering underground, rough-in and final stages. 425. 500 authorizes the city to assess a reinspection fee and withhold further inspections until it's paid. 525.
Violations & Fines
Building without required inspections, covering work before it's approved, or ignoring a stop work order under KMC 21.06.610 through 21.06.625 exposes the permit holder to penalties under KMC 21.06.590 and 21.06.600, enforced through Chapter 1.12 KMC. The building official can issue a written stop work order requiring cited work to cease immediately and assess a special investigation fee under 21.06.620 before allowing work to resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspections does Kirkland require during a home construction project?
When is Kirkland's frame inspection scheduled?
What happens if I fail a Kirkland building inspection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkland
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Building Inspections in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle building inspections.