Kitsap County, WA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- Uniform Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition
- State amendments
- WAC Chapter 51-56
- Permit expiration
- 365 days from issuance
- Inspection lapse limit
- 180 days without inspection
- Extensions
- Up to 180 days each, written request
- Fees
- Set by county resolution, not code
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Community Development
Summary
Unincorporated Kitsap County requires a permit for plumbing work under the county's adopted Uniform Plumbing Code (2021 Edition). Permits expire if work is not commenced within 365 days or goes 180 days without an inspection, and fees are set by county resolution, not fixed in the code text.
§ 14.04.805. Expiration. Section 104.3 of the UPC is amended as follows: 104.4.3 Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 365 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. Having required inspections performed and approved within every 180 days is evidence that work has commenced and is continuing. Permits that do not receive an inspection within 180 days of permit issuance, or within 180 days since the previous approved inspection, shall automatically expire and become invalid. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each, based on good and satisfactory reasons. The extension shall be requested in writing prior to permit expiration and shall demonstrate good cause.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4864424; v0 updated 2025-12-08; through 12-08-2025).
Full Breakdown
040(E) adopts the Uniform Plumbing Code (2021 Edition), published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-56 WAC, except Chapters 12 and 15 and the UPC's venting/combustion-air and building-sewer provisions. This applies only in the unincorporated area; Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island enforce their own plumbing codes. 04 amends the UPC's permit mechanics directly. 3 so that a plumbing permit becomes invalid unless the authorized work commences within 365 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after starting.
An inspection performed and approved within any 180-day window counts as evidence the work is continuing; permits that go 180 days without a passed inspection automatically expire. The building official may grant one or more written extensions of up to 180 days each on a showing of good cause requested before expiration. 800(E) lets the code official authorize fee refunds the same way. 060.
Violations & Fines
Under UPC Section 106.3 as amended by Section 14.04.800(B), failing to comply with any plumbing code provision, a code official's directive, or permit conditions is a code violation, enforced under Section 14.04.065. Section 14.04.065(A) makes any violation of Title 14 a Class I civil infraction, with each day the violation continues or is permitted counted as a separate infraction processed under Chapter 2.116.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plumbing code applies in unincorporated Kitsap County?
How long is a Kitsap County plumbing permit valid?
Does Kitsap County set plumbing permit fees in its code?
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit in unincorporated Kitsap County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kitsap County
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