- Why are permits important?
- When does someone need a building permit?
- Do I need a permit to...?
- What is the definition of an agricultural building? Is a permit required?
- Can I build a single family residence myself?
- Can I draw my own shop, addition to my house, or single family house plans?
- How close to my house can I build an accessory building?
- What types of inspections are required on a lawn sprinkler system installation?
- What are the code requirements for installation of a manufactured fireplace (woodstove/gas fireplace)?
- I am remodeling my house, what is the new code requirements for installation of smoke detectors? Does the code regulate the placement of the smoke detectors?
- What is the requirement for a driveway in a rural area of Clark County that is accessed from a county road? Will it require a permit?
- What is the maximum height I can build my house or an accessory building?
- Do commercial plans need to be drawn by an architect?
- Do I need to submit structural engineering calculations for a commercial structure?
- How many sets of commercial plans do I need to submit?
- If I am submitting for a commercial building permit, do I need to submit plumbing and mechanical plans at the same time?
- What are the engineering design requirements for a residential structure?
- What are the engineering design requirements for a commercial structure?
- What is the prescriptive path?
- When are interior brace panels required on a single family house plan?
- When replacing a water heater is an expansion device required?
- I am purchasing a house, is it possible to view the plans and any correction notices?
- What are the new requirements for a stairway? If I am replacing an existing stairway, am I required to meet current code?
1. Why are permits important?
Permits protect the safety and value of your home. Lenders often want verification that all work has been permitted and inspected by a qualified building inspector.
2. When does someone need a building permit?
Permits are required for most alterations to a building or structure, and electrical gas and mechanical plumbing systems.
A permit is required for:
- Any alteration activity affecting structural components regardless of the dollar amount.
- Construction (including, but not limited to, re-roofing, re-siding and decks) valued at fifteen hundred ($1,500.00) dollars (or more) for labor and materials.
- Any commercial alterations or changes, regardless of the dollar amount. (At the least, just moving into a commercial space requires a tenant improvement permit.)
- Retaining walls:
- If over four (4) feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
- Regardless of height if wall is supporting a surcharge.
- Fences over six (6) feet high. However, they must not cause a sight distance problem or interfere with utilities.
- Plumbing or mechanical additions or alterations regardless of dollar amount. (Electrical permits to be obtained through the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.)
A permit is not required for:
- A structure when it is used 100 percent for agricultural purposes per CCC14.05.101.2. By definition, according to the 2003 International Building Code, Chapter 2, Section 202, Definitions, an "Agricultural Building is a structure designed and constructed to house farm implements, hay, grain, poultry, livestock or other horticultural products. This structure shall not be a place of human habitation or a place of employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged, nor shall it be a place used by the public".
- A one (1) story detached accessory building used as a tool shed, storage shed, playhouse or other similar use, provided:
- The floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet.
- The height does not exceed eighteen (18) feet from grade.
- However, the structure(s) noted above must:
- Conform to the current county adopted International Building Code.
- Meet the setbacks established for the zone in which it is being constructed
- Meet all environmental requirements. For environmental inquiries, contact Permit Services at 1300 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA or call (360) 397-2375 ext. 4489.
See Clark County Code Chapter 14.05 sections 14.05.101.2 and 14.05.105.2 for exempt commercial work and sections 14.06.101.2 and 14.06.105.2 for exempt residential work.
3. Do I need a permit to.
- Re-roof my house or shop?
A permit is required when the cost of labor and materials for your project exceed $1500 and/or if structural work, such replacing roof sheathing is being performed. Generally, only two layers of roofing may be applied; additional layers would require removal of existing layers. - Replace the siding on my house?
A permit is required when the cost of labor and materials for your project exceed $1500 and/or if structural work is being performed. - Replace a window in my house?
A permit is required if the total cost of labor and materials exceeds $1500 and/or if structural work is being performed. - Replace my toilet and bathroom sink?
Yes, 2003 UPC requires a permit for new installation of any plumbing fixtures. - Install a lawn sprinkler?
When installing a lawn sprinkler system, a permit is required for the backflow prevention between the sprinklers and the water supply. - Install a residential water heater?
Yes, 2003 UPC requires a permit for new installation of any plumbing fixtures. - Build a retaining wall?
Permits are required for retaining walls over 4 foot in height, when measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and/or for walls that support a surcharge. Engineering by a Washington State registered engineer is required for all retaining walls being permitted. - Build a deck?
All decks require a separate permit with the following two exceptions:- Exterior entry landings which are proportionate in size to the entry.The maximum size measured in square feet is the gross width of the entry squared including side glazing. Example: An entry door with sidelights measuring 60 inches wide, outside trim to outside trim, the porch may be a maximum of 25 square feet.
- Platform or free standing decks 30 inches or less in height and not associated with other structures (i.e. hot tub, swimming pool) and not abutting any structures.
- All decks and platforms regardless of permit requirements, shall meet minimum setbacks requirement.
4. What is the definition of an Agricultural Building? Is a permit required?
An agricultural building is a structure designed and constructed to house farm equipment, hay, grain, poultry, livestock, or other horticultural products. Agricultural buildings do not require a permit.
Human habitation, public use, and/or employment where agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged are not permitted uses of an Agricultural Building.
5. Can I build a single family residence myself?
Yes, as long as it will be used as your personal residence. For further information you may contact Washington State Department of Labor and Industries at (360) 896-2300 or view Clark County's residential plan review requirements.
6. Can I draw my own shop, addition to my house, or single family house plans?
Yes, you may draw your own plans. Please see Clark County's residential plan review requirements for further details.
7. How close to my house can I build an accessory building?
Your home and accessory building can either be attached or separated. However, fire resistive requirements will apply if they are separated by less than six feet.
Please refer to the fire separation requirements for attached or detached buildings on a residential lot or International Residential Code Sections 302, 309 for additional information.
8. What types of inspections are required on a lawn sprinkler system installation?
Inspection of the back-flow inspection device is required. Some backflow prevention devices may require annual testing.
Check with your water purveyor for more information.
Clark Public Utilities: (360) 992-3000
City of Vancouver: (360) 696-8020
9. What are the code requirements for installation of a manufactured fireplace (woodstove/gas fireplace)?
Wood or pellet stoves must be certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Prior to its use, the stove must be inspected by a Clark County building inspector to ensure that installation was completed as required by the manufacturer's listing. The label of the listing agency is permanently factory applied on the stove.
Gas fireplaces are required to be installed as required by its manufacturer's listing. A permit for the gas line is required. A gas line pressure test is required prior to connection to appliance.
10. I am remodeling my house, what is the new code requirement for installation of smoke detectors? Does the code regulate the placement of the smoke detectors?
Alarms in existing area are not required to be interconnected and hard wired where repairs or alteration do not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for hard wiring and interconnections without removal on interior finishes.
11. What is the requirement for a driveway in a rural area of Clark County that is accessed from a county road? Will it require a permit?
A permit is required. After application in rural areas an inspector will visit the site to determine the applicable requirements.
12. What is the maximum height I can build my house or an accessory building?
The county height limit for houses is 35 feet. Accessory structures in certain zones will be limited to 18 foot in height. Check with a Permit Technician for the height of accessory structures.
13. Do commercial plans need to be drawn by an architect?
Building plans and other supporting documents are required to be prepared by a Washington State licensed architect or professional engineer for alterations to a residential building exceeding four units or a commercial structure exceeding 4,000 square feet.
14. Do I need to submit structural engineering calculations for a commercial structure?
In most cases, engineering will be required. Engineering may be waived on small projects using conventional wood framing.
15. How many sets of commercial plans do I need to submit?
Four full sets of plans and two sets of structural calculation, project manuals and any other supporting documents are required.
16. If I am submitting for a commercial building permit, do I need to submit plumbing and mechanical plans at the same time?
Plumbing plans are required to be submitted at the time of building plan review. More complex projects may require mechanical plans to be submitted with building plans as well.
17. What are the engineering design requirements for a residential structure?
See Clark County's residential structural design criteria.
18. What are the engineering design requirements for a commercial structure?
See Clark County's commercial structural design criteria.
19. What is the prescriptive path?
Full compliance with all layout, planning and structural requirements is the prescriptive path of the International Residential Code.
20. When are interior brace panels required on a single family house plan?
Interior brace panels are required on single family house plans submitted under the 2003 IRC with dimensions exceeding 25 feet.
21. When replacing a water heater is an expansion device required?
An expansion tank at the water heater or a Governor 80 in the toilet tank is required.
22. I am purchasing a house, is it possible to view the plans and any correction notices?
Plans and correction notices are available for 90 days from the approval for occupancy date. All files are public records and can be viewed upon request at the Permit Center.
23. What are the new requirements for a stairway? If I am replacing an existing stairway, am I required to meet current code?
Replacement of stairs requires compliance with the 2003 IRC. See a residential stair detail (PDF - 515K).
