Pasco, WA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Inspection fee authority
- PMC 16.05.090, set via fee schedule PMC 3.35.030
- Plan review fee
- 65% of building permit fee (PMC 16.05.070)
- R-3 plan review flat fee
- $50 for new single-family homes
- Certificate of Occupancy
- required before occupancy, PMC 16.05.100
- Appeals body
- Mid-Columbia Building Appeals Commission, 7 members
Summary
Pasco charges a minimum inspection fee under PMC 16.05.090 whenever the Building Official conducts an incidental building or fire code inspection that isn't tied to an active, issued permit. The fee amount is set in the City's master fee schedule, PMC 3.35.030, and covers walkthroughs, complaint checks, and re-inspections outside the normal permitted-construction sequence.
A minimum fee as enumerated in PMC 3.35.030 shall be paid to the Building Official for incidental building and fire code inspections not related to issued, active building permits.
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
Under Chapter 16.05 PMC, the City of Pasco enforces its adopted state building code and International Building Code(s) (PMC 16.05.010) through the Building Official, defined in PMC 16.05.020 as the City Manager or a delegated chief administrative officer; anyone given delegated enforcement authority is also known as a Building Inspector. Inspections tied to an open, active building permit are covered by the standard permit fee set under PMC 16.05.080 and the plan-review surcharge in PMC 16.05.070 (65 percent of the construction permit fee, or a flat $50 for new single-family R-3 construction).
Where no active permit exists, PMC 16.05.090 imposes a separate minimum inspection fee, set in the master fee schedule at PMC 3.35.030, for incidental building and fire code inspections, covering code-enforcement follow-up visits, complaint-driven inspections, or a walkthrough requested outside a live permit's inspection sequence. At the close of construction, no Group A through U building may be occupied, and no substantial change in occupancy classification may occur, until the Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy under PMC 16.05.100; for Group R-3 (single-family) occupancies that certificate need not be posted but must be available on request under PMC 16.05.110.
A person who occupies an R-3 dwelling before that certificate issues, or who obtained the permit that allowed it, is treated as having caused the violation under PMC 16.05.140. Appeals of Building Official decisions go to the seven-member Mid-Columbia Building Appeals Commission created under PMC 16.05.040, jointly appointed with Franklin and Benton Counties.
Violations & Fines
Occupying a dwelling before the Building Official issues the required Certificate of Occupancy is itself a code violation under PMC 16.05.140, and the applicant who obtained the building permit is presumed responsible for any unlawful occupancy that follows. Skipping payment of the incidental inspection fee under PMC 16.05.090 or the plan-review surcharge under PMC 16.05.070 blocks permit issuance and can trigger separate enforcement action by the Building Official.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pasco charge extra for inspections outside a normal building permit?
Who is the Building Official in Pasco?
Can I occupy a new house before final inspection?
Where do I appeal a Building Official decision in Pasco?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco
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