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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing code
K.C.C. 16.02.410 and 16.02.450
Inspection record card
Required on-site before work begins
Reinspection fee trigger
Work not ready or uncorrected
Fee unpaid
No further inspection performed
Coverage
Unincorporated King County only

Summary

Unincorporated King County requires a posted inspection record card on every permitted job, and charges a reinspection fee whenever work isn't ready or corrections weren't completed before the inspector's next visit.

City-specific rules exist: Auburn, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Renton have their own building inspections rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This subsection is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection. Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official. To obtain a reinspection, the applicant must request a reinspection and pay the reinspection fee as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by K.C.C. Title 27. In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. (Ord. 17837 § 23, 2014: Ord. 14914 § 59, 2004: Ord. 14111 § 30, 2001: Ord. 12560 § 28, 1996. Formerly K.C.C. 16.04.05024).

Full Breakdown

King County's building official requires every permit holder to post an inspection record card on site before work begins under K.C.C. 16.02.410; a validated copy of the building permit itself serves as that card. Under K.C.C. 16.02.450, the building official may assess a reinspection fee whenever work called for inspection isn't complete or ordered corrections weren't made, and once a reinspection fee is assessed, no further inspection happens until it's paid. This applies only in unincorporated King County -- Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way and dozens of other cities run their own building departments and inspection schedules.

Violations & Fines

No reinspection happens until you pay the reinspection fee, and skipping the posted inspection record card can stall permit sign-off and certificate of occupancy issuance entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cover Seattle building inspections?
No. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond and about two dozen other King County cities enforce their own building codes and inspection schedules, not K.C.C. Title 16.
What happens if I fail an inspection?
The building official may assess a reinspection fee under K.C.C. 16.02.450, and won't send an inspector back out until that fee is paid.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

All King County rules

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