Chapter 4.36
BUILDING CODE REVIEW AND PERMIT FEES Revised 3/24 Revised 8/24

4.36.000    Chapter Contents

Sections:

4.36.010    Building code review and permit fees. Revised 3/24 Revised 8/24

4.36.020    Electrical inspection and permit fees. Revised 3/24 Revised 8/24

(Ord. 6522 §1, 2008).

4.36.010 Building code review and permit fees Revised 3/24 Revised 8/24

A.    The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this code is made by the building official based on the valuation data established by the International Code Council under the provisions of building standards valuation data or other supporting data. The value to be used in computing the building and building plan review fees is the total of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and other permanent equipment. Single-family and duplex dwellings of wood frame construction having an area of more than 2,500 square feet per unit are valued at "good construction" rate. All others are valued at "average construction" rate. Remodels are valued based on the contract price of the project or as determined by the building official.

B.    Payment of fees. A permit is not valid until the fees prescribed by law have been paid, nor may an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, has been paid.

C.    Schedule of permit fees. On buildings, structures, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, an applicant shall pay the fee for each permit as required using the current fee schedule.

D.    Plan Review Fees: When submittal documents are required, an applicant shall pay the plan review fee at the time of submitting the submittal documents for plan review. The current fee schedule as adopted establishes the plan review fee. The actual permit fees and related plan review fee is determined upon completion of the plan review and the balance owing must be paid at the time of permit issuance.

The plan review fee is a separate fee from the permit fees specified in this section and are in addition to the permit fees.

When submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review or when the project involves deferred submittal items, the applicant shall pay an additional plan review fee at the rate shown in the current fee schedule.

E.    Building permit valuations. The value to be used in computing the building permit and building plan review fees is the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire extinguishing systems, and any other permanent equipment. Contractor’s overhead and profit is also included. The Valuation factor is used in assessing the building permit for installation of Sign and Commercial Landscaping permits (plan review for Signs and Commercial landscaping will be 65 percent of the permit).

F.    Investigation Fees: Work without a Permit.

1.    Investigation. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation must be made before a permit may be issued for such work.

2.    Fee. A property owner or other responsible party shall pay an investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee is equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee is the same as the minimum fee set forth in the currently adopted fee schedule. This fee is an additional, punitive fee and does not apply to any Grading or Building Permit Fee that may subsequently be issued. Payment of the investigative fee does not vest the illegal work with any legitimacy, nor does it establish any right to a Permit for continued development of that project. If the work done remains illegal for 90 days after service of the Stop Work Order, it is considered hazardous and must be abated per the Olympia Municipal Code.

3.    The payment of such investigation fee does not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law.

G.    Fee Refunds.

The building official may authorize the refunding of:

1.    100 percent of any fee erroneously paid or collected.

2.    Up to 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this code.

3.    Up to 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing is done. The building official may not authorize refunding of any fee paid except on written application filed by the original permittee not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.

H.    Fee Exempt Permits:

1.    Agricultural/deer fences up to eight feet tall

FEE TABLE -- BUILDING PERMIT FEES

Building Permit Fees (based on valuation) 

Total Valuation

Fee

$1.00 to $500.00

$114.81

$501.00 to $2,000.00

$114.81 for the first $500.00 plus $5.78 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.00

$2,001.00 to $25,000.00

$201.75 for the first $2,000.00 plus $18.35 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.00

$25,001.00 to $50,000.00

$624.26 for the first $25,000.00 plus $13.88 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.00

$50,001.00 to $100,000.00

$971.71 for the first $50,000.00 plus $10.32 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.00

$100,001.00 to $500,000.00

$1,488.38 for the first $100,000.00 plus $8.72 for each additional $1,000.00, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.00

$500,001.00 to $1,000,000.00

$4,978.73 for the first $500,000.00 plus $7.74 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000.00

$1,000,001.00 and up

$8,855.08 for the first $1,000,000.00 plus $6.48 for each additional $1,000.00 or fraction thereof

 

Other Building Inspections and Fees 

Inspections outside of normal business hours

$191.36 per hour* (minimum charge - two hours)

Reinspection fees

$191.36 per hour*

Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated

$191.36 per hour* (minimum charge - one-half hour)

Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans

$191.36 per hour* (minimum charge - one-half hour)

For use of outside consultants for plan checking and inspections, or both

Actual Costs*

Certificate of occupancy inspection not related to building permit and as required by Section 110

$191.36 per hour* (minimum 2 hours)

Inspections requested on expired permits

$191.36 per hour* (minimum charge - two hours)

* Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is the greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

** Including administrative and overhead costs.

For Stop Work issued (work being done without a permit)

$191.36 per hour (minimum charge – one hour)

State of Washington State Building Code Council charges

$4.50 on every building permit issued

Vacant Property Registration Fee (OMC 16.06.090)

$200 annually

Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO)

Application filing fee (nonrefundable):

 

Residential (single-family) $109.35

 

Commercial and multi-family residential $164.02

(interior remodel)

 

Commercial and multi-family residential $546.74

(new construction and substantial exterior and interior remodel)

 

Building Plan Review Fees 

 

SF Plan Review

68 percent of building permit fee if greater than 1500 sf

25 percent of building permit fee if 1500 sf or less

SF Stormwater Plan Review – Single Family Home, Duplex, Townhouse, Accessory Dwelling Unit, Manufactured Home on Single Lot, Residential or Structural Addition, Residential Revision, or Deferred Submission

(area of new or replaced impervious surface)

 

Level 1 (300-1,000 sf)

$118.00

Level 2 (1,000-5,000 sf)

$261.00

Level 3 (5,000 sf - 1 acre)

$1,551.00

Level 4 (> 1 acre)

$2,719.00+ $118 each additional acre or part thereof

Tree removal permit

$27.34 per tree up to $250.00 total

Commercial Review

68 percent of building permit fee

Addition/remodel SF, duplex

68 percent of building permit fee

Areas of Special Flood Hazard:*

 

Plumbing, Mechanical

$150

Building

$350

*For permits required by OMC 16.70.

 


Mobile/Manufactured Housing or Commercial Permit Fees 

*Temporary use (single wide)

$338.98

*Temporary use (double wide)

$410.05

Permanent use (single wide)

$557.67

Permanent use (double wide)

$574.07

Permanent use (triple wide)

$595.94

Add-a-room (pre-manufactured addition)

$420.99

*Temporary commercial use (single)

$492.06

Permanent commercial use (double)

$519.40

Permanent commercial use (triple)

$546.74

Plan check fee of 65 percent of permit fee will be required for commercial use only.

*Temporary use is considered 180 days unless otherwise approved through written request

Demolition Permit Fees

 

Buildings less than 3,000 sq ft

$120.28

Buildings between 3,001 and 5,000 sq ft

$273.37

Buildings between 5,001 and 10,000 sq ft

$328.04

Buildings greater than 10,000 sq ft

$426.45

Technology Fee – applicable to all permits and plan review fees

4.0 percent of permit/plan review

Electrical Permit and Inspection Fees 

Applications may be submitted using the permit portal (https://ci-olympia-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home) or in person. The City of Olympia follows the State of Washington Department of Labor & Industries current Fee Schedule.

See OMC 4.36.020.

Washington State Energy Code Review 

Commercial

$218.69

Residential

$109.35

Electrical Permit Fines and Penalties

The City of Olympia follows the Washington Administrative Code 296-46B-915 Civil penalty schedule

 

Mechanical Permit Fees (plus applicable unit fees) 

Permit Issuance Fee

 

For the issuance of each permit

$114.81

Single Family Residential (flat fee no permit issuance fee)

 

New SFR Mechanical Heating system including ducts and vents attached thereto (first unit, up to and including 2,500 sq ft)

$328.04

Additional Unit/s and/or associated ducts and vents attached thereto (over 2,500 sq ft)

$284.30

Unit Fee Schedule

Note: The following includes permit issuance fee.

Furnaces

 

For the installation or relocation of each forced-air or gravity-type furnace or burner, including ducts and vents attached to such appliance

$71.08

Appliance Vents

 

For the installation, relocation, or replacement of each appliance vent installed and not included in an appliance permit

$49.21

Repairs or Additions

 

For the repair of, alteration of, or addition to each heating appliance, refrigeration unit, cooling unit, absorption unit, or each heating, cooling, absorption, or evaporative cooling system, including installation of controls regulated by the Mechanical Code

$71.08

Boilers, Compressors and Absorption Systems

For the installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor

$114.81

Air Handlers

 

For each air-handling unit to and including 10,000 cubic feet per minute (4,720 L/s), including ducts attached thereto

$71.08

Note: This fee does not apply to an air-handling unit which is a portion of a factory assembled appliance, cooling unit, evaporative cooler, or absorption unit for which a permit is required elsewhere in the Mechanical Code.

 

For each air-handling unit exceeding 10,000 cubic feet per minute (4,720 L/s)

$71.08

Evaporative Coolers

 

For each evaporative cooler other than portable type

$71.08

Ventilation and Exhaust

 

For each ventilation fan connected to a single duct

$49.21

For each ventilation system which is not a portion of heating or air conditioning system authorized by a permit

$49.21

For the installation of each hood which is served by mechanical exhaust, including the ducts for such hood

$49.21

Wood or Gas Stove Insert including vent

$82.01

Incinerators

$136.68

Miscellaneous

 

For each appliance or piece of equipment regulated by the Mechanical Code but not classed in other appliance categories, or for which no other fee is listed in the code

$49.21

Permit fees for fuel-gas piping is as follows:

 

Single gas pipe repair or connection including flexible connector for up to the first 5 connections

$49.21

Multiple gas pipe repair or connections including flexible gas connectors for 6 or more connections, additional fee of

$2.73 ea

Other Inspections and Fees

 

Inspections outside of normal business hours, *per hour (minimum charge - two hours)

$191.10*

Reinspection fees

$191.36*

Inspection for which no fee is specifically indicated, per hour (minimum charge - one-half hour)

$191.36*

Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to plans or to plans for which an initial review has been completed (minimum charge - one-half hour)

$191.36*

For use of outside consultants for plan checking and inspections, or both.

 

Actual Cost

For Stop Work issued (work being done without a permit)

$191.36 per hour (minimum charge – one hour)

* Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

Plumbing Permit Fees 

Permit Issuance

 

For issuing each permit

$174.96

Single Family Residential (flat fee no permit issuance fee)

 

New SFR Plumbing system (up to 3 bathrooms, one kitchen, over 3/1 use unit schedule for additional fixtures)

$267.90

Swimming Pools*

 

For each in-ground swimming pool or spa

$136.68 (fencing requirements apply)

For each above ground swimming pool over 5000 gallons

 

$68.34 (fencing requirements apply)

*All pools over 24 inches in depth require approved fencing

 

Plumbing Permits for New Single Family Residential

$267.90

Unit Fee Schedule

 

Note: The following requires a permit issuance fee in addition to unit fees

Gas Piping System

 

Single gas pipe repair or connection including flexible gas connector for up to the first 5 connections

$38.27

Multiple gas pipe repair or connections including flexible gas connectors for 6 or more connections, additional fee of

$2.73 ea

For each plumbing fixture on one trap or a set of fixtures on one trap (including water, drainage piping and backflow protection)

$16.40

For each building sewer and each trailer park sewer

$38.27

Rainwater systems - per drain (inside building)

$10.93

For each private sewage disposal system/grinder pump (when allowed)

$82.01

For each water heater and/or vent

$27.34

For each industrial waste pretreatment interceptor including its trap and vent, except kitchen-type grease interceptors functioning as fixture trap

$22.96

For each installation, alteration, or repair of water piping and/or water treating equipment, each

$21.87

For each repair or alteration, of drainage or vent piping, each fixture

$21.87

For each lawn sprinkler system on any one meter including backflow protection devices therefor

$38.27

For atmospheric-type vacuum breakers not included in lawn sprinkler system

$38.27

Other Inspections and Fees

 

Inspections outside of normal business hours, per hour (minimum charge - two hours)

$191.36*

Reinspection fees

$191.36*

Inspection for which no fee is specifically indicated

$191.36*

Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans, per hour (minimum charge - one hour)

$191.36*

For the use of outside consultants for plan checking and/or inspections

*Actual Costs

For Stop Work being issued (work being done without permit)

$191.36

* Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

Grading Plan Permit Fees 

$426.45 base fee plus $.01 per cubic yard

Other Inspections and Fees

 

Inspections outside of normal business hours, per hour (minimum charge - two hours)

$191.36*

Reinspection fees

$191.36*

Inspection for which no fee is specifically indicated, per hour (minimum charge one-half hour)

$191.36*

*Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

Grading Plan Review Fees 

65 percent of the permit fee

Other Fees

 

Additional plan review required by changes, additions, or revisions to approved plans, per hour (minimum charge - one-half hour)

$191.36*

* Or the total hourly cost to the jurisdiction, whichever is greatest. This cost includes supervision, overhead, equipment, hourly wages, and fringe benefits of the employees involved.

(Ord. 7390 §2, 2024; Ord. 7380 §2, 2023; Ord. 7351 §2, 2022; Ord. 7306 §2, 2021; Ord. 7219 §2, 2019; Ord. 7148 §2, 2018; Ord. 6842 §10, 2013; Ord. 6832 §2, 2012; Ord. 6790 §2, 2011; Ord. 6610 §2, 2008; Ord. 6522 §1, 2008; Ord. 6310 §51, 2004; Ord. 6183 C1, 2002; Ord. 6153 §2, 2001; Ord. 5862 §3, 1998; Ord. 5800 §1, 1998; Ord. 5729 §1, 1997; Ord. 5666 §1, 1997; Ord. 5658 §5, 1996; Ord. 5577 §6, 1995).

4.36.020 Electrical inspection and permit fees Revised 3/24 Revised 8/24

Applications may be submitted using the permit portal or in person. The City of Olympia follows the State of Washington Department of Labor & Industries current Fee Schedule, set forth in WAC 296-46B-906, which is hereby incorporated into this chapter by reference, as if fully set forth herein (Plus permit issuance fee). Fees are in addition to other plumbing and building fees listed in this chapter except as specified in SFR fee for plumbing and mechanical.

A.

PLAN REVIEW FEE.

 

1.

Fee is 68 percent of the electrical work permit fee including a plan review submission fee of:

$86.96

 

2.

Supplemental submissions of plans per hour or fraction of an hour of review time

$103.72

 

3.

Plan review shipping and handling fee

$ Actual Shipping Cost

 

4.

Areas of Special Flood Hazard (For permits required by OMC 16.70)

$150

B.

OTHER INSPECTIONS.

 

1.

Inspections not covered by above inspection fees must be charged portal-to-portal per hour.

$191.36

C.

REFUND PROCESSING FEE.

 

1.

All requests for permit fee refunds will be assessed a processing fee equal to 20 percent of the original permit fee.

 

(Ord. 7390 §3, 2024; Ord. 7380 §3, 2023; Ord. 7306 §3, 2021; Ord. 7148 §2, 2018; Ord. 6832 §3, 2012; Ord. 6790 § 3, 2011; Ord. 6522 §2, 2008).