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The plans for most small residential projects, additions, garages and remodels can be done by the homeowner, provided that the drawings comply with the prescriptive requirements of the codes listed on the residential checklist for permit application. Residential or commercial buildings that require engineering, exceed 4 residential units, or exceed 4,000 square feet require a licensed Washington State architect. Additionally, engineering calculations are required for single family residential plans that do not meet the prescriptive requirements for lateral bracing, have other than conventional wood frame construction, are of unusual shape, or have complex supporting structure or site conditions.
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Visit Everett Permit Services' webpage to learn about the permitting procedures, requirements, and process for the specific type of construction you are proposing. If you have further questions, email Everett Permit Services or call 425-257-8810 during the listed phone hours.
Please refer to our Permitting Process page for a detailed step by step outline of the complete permitting process and what to expect.
In brief, you need a permit for most work done to your property. Click through the pages for the type of construction you wish to perform. If you still have questions or would like to discuss your construction project further, email Permit Services or call 425-257-8810 during our listed phone hours. A permit is required before any construction or work is legally allowed to begin. Refer to the Applications, submittal checklists, & fees page to get started with your permit.
Permit fees vary depending on the type of construction, square footage, and/or valuation of your project. Refer to the permit fees tab on our Applications, submittal checklists, & fees page to view the permit fee schedule that is applicable to your project.
A Public Works permit is not needed for removal of the tree itself. However, a Public Works permit is needed for additional construction in the right-of-way such as replacement of damaged sidewalk, etc. A Traffic Street Use (TSU) is required if you need temporary closure of the right of way in order to accomplish the removal of the tree (sidewalk closure, parking lane closure, vehicular travel lane closure, or need of a dumpster). Always check with the Planning Division to determine if the tree can be removed. In some cases, you may need an assessment and/or the tree may be a required landscaping in order to meet code and may need replacement planting. If required by code, a Public Works permit is typically issued for code compliance and inspection. When removing a tree, always take precaution when there are powerlines or other utilities in the area. Call 8-1-1 before you dig.
If the fence is going up within a public right-of-way, you will need to obtain a Public Works Permit. Please refer to our Fence Handout for detailed information about fence requirements. For fences constructed on private property, they still need to comply with all of the requirements listed in the Fence Handout. Always call 8-1-1 before you dig.
To establish an Adult Family Home in your Single-Family Residence, you will need to submit a Building Permit application (PDF), construction plans and site plans, and a completed WABO Adult Family Home Checklist packet (PDF).
To get a WABO inspection, you will need to apply for and obtain a Building Permit (PDF). You will also need to complete a WABO Adult Family Home Checklist packet (PDF).
You can use MapEverett to view the utilities at your address. Use the search bar at the top left to type in your property address. Then use the toolbar at the top right, click on the layer list (looks like a stack of papers) and toggle the checkbox to turn on the Utilities layer. The solid lines are mains and the dashed lines are services to properties. A side sewer will appear as a dashed green line connecting from a structure to a main. Any green text that is labeled on that line is data associated with that side sewer. In some cases, the sewer may be served by a jurisdiction other than City of Everett, and will be labeled with the sewer jurisdiction if that is the case. You can view the sewer jurisdiction under the boundaries layer for more information.
Please refer to our Espresso Stand Submittal Checklist (PDF) for more information. In addition to the building permits required, you will also need to obtain a permit from the Snohomish Health District. Contact them at 425-339-5200.
If you are applying for a residential mechanical permit, you can apply online through the Online Permitting Portal. Commercial mechanical permits will require plan review and you will need to complete a paper application. Drop off your application and plans to our upstairs lobby Drop-Box, located at 3200 Cedar St, 2nd Floor, Everett, WA 98201. Note that if you apply online, you will be required to submit your supplemental plans in hard copy to the Drop-Box and your application will not be considered complete until all required items have been submitted.
For a residential electrical permit, you can apply online for an electrical permit through the Online Permitting Portal. Commercial electrical permits can be applied for online as well, but in some cases, will require drop off of (2) sets of hard copy plans to the Permit Services 2nd Floor lobby Drop-Box. Please refer to page two of our paper version Electrical Permit Application (PDF).
You can apply online for a plumbing permit through the Online Permitting Portal. If you are applying for plumbing in a commercial kitchen, please refer to our Commercial Kitchen Plumbing Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF).
Submit a Fire Alarm permit application, with drawings per the commercial tenant improvement checklist, identifying all new and existing areas of work. This includes alarm locations in each unit, and type, with manufacturers catalog cuts. Refer to the applications, submittal checklists, & fees page for more information.
You can use MapEverett to view the approximate locations of your property line. The information from MapEverett is helpful for planning or preliminary purposes, however the exact location is not guaranteed as the line is a shape file imported from Snohomish county overlaid on an aerial image of the property. For an exact location of property line, that must be determined in the field by a licensed surveyor.
Permit applications are reviewed in the order received and by multiple review disciplines for code compliance. The status each discipline's review is viewable through the Online Permitting Portal. For more information about the review process and current review timelines, refer to our Permitting Process page and click on Step 3: City Review for Compliance.
IRC and IBC requirements:
IRC only—Seismic category-D1. Frost depth-12 inches minimum for decks and porches.IBC only—Seismic category-D, E, or F, subject to soil, location, risk category and building characteristics.
Each type of building or project has separate permit submittal requirements, which have been summarized on checklists. Refer to the submittal checklists tab on our Applications, submittal checklists, & fees page for more information.
Size and height restrictions are part of the Uniform Development Code (Zoning Code) administered by the Planning Division, who can be reached at planning@everettwa.gov or 425-257-8731. The allowed size of a garage is determined by many factors, including: the size of your lot, the location of the proposed garage (or accessory building), and whether you have an existing garage or other accessory buildings on the site.
Setbacks may be different in different zones and for different structures. Contact the Planning Division to determine the setback requirements for a specific location. The building codes also have restrictions on property lines and construction requirements. Refer to the zoning code for more information.
Refer to the change of occupancy checklist (PDF) for more information. For residential structures, a change of use (also called occupancy in the building code) occurs when either converting a house to a nonresidential use or adding units (i.e. conversion of SFR to duplex). In a commercial structure, a change of use (occupancy) occurs when converting from a historical non-conforming use or permitted occupancy. If the use is approved by planning, the building revisions need to comply with the code requirements in the checklist for a change of occupancy.
1. Complete Building Permit application.2. Site Plan3. Foundation plans and details (gravity and lateral design)4. Structural calculations justifying the lateral anchorage5. Construction plans for the stairs and ramp (if applicable)6. For school portables only, we need to see the area of the cluster to determine fire alarm and fire sprinkler requirements
For permits requiring Plan Review, reviews are performed by each department in the order the permit applications are received. The status each discipline's review is viewable through the Online Permitting Portal. For more information about the review process and current review timelines, refer to our Permitting Process page and click on Step 3: City Review for Compliance.
For some permit types, an owner can act as the General Contractor and /or perform work on their own property. Check with Permit Services to confirm that your permit type qualifies.
Approved permits must be issued within 180 days of the approval date. After permit issuance, work must commence or continue with required inspections within 180 days in order to keep the permit active. Each inspection extends the permit an additional 180 days. To keep your permit valid, continue to request the required inspections through the Online Permitting Portal throughout construction. If work has not begun or is paused, request a Permit Extension in the inspection request drop-down menu with a valid reason for the extension listed in the notes field.
You may obtain an electrical permit for a temporary power pole. Once the temporary power pole is in place and has been inspected and approved, you will need to contact Snohomish County PUD to connect the power. Apply for an electrical permit for temporary power online through the Online Permitting Portal.
Contact Puget Sound Energy.
Navigate to the Online Permitting Portal and follow the instructions in the linked handout. Instructions to Reset Password on Online Permitting Portal
Navigate to the Online Permitting Portal then follow the instructions in the linked handout. Instructions for Forgot Username on Online Permitting Portal