Building Permits

Building Permit Requirements Changing - Effective March 1, 2024

To submit a building permit in Island County, a site registration and septic design, along with approved access permit, address, and water availability verification will be required starting March 1, 2024. Septic Design must be completed by a qualified septic designer and submitted to Health for review. Permits without these items will not be accepted for submittal.

Flood Development Application Meetings

Flood Development Pre-Application Meetings are required prior to Building Permit submittal. Meetings will be held in person, or virtual, from 10-11 AM, Tuesdays on Whidbey Island and Fridays on Camano Island. All time slots are first-come, first-served. Email Vicki Mertins or call 360-678-7869 to schedule a conference. Click here for FDP application and FDP Checklist for submittal.

You may also submit Flood Development Permits digitally by email to Buildingdept@islandcountywa.gov.

Building Permit Applications

See the Building Permit Applications web page for a full list of downloadable forms.

Building Inspection Requests

• All Building Inspection requests must be made through the Island County Public Portal
• All Building Inspection Results are available through your Public Portal account.
• If you are experiencing issues with your Public Portal account, please contact us at 360-679-7339.
• The preference for Building Inspection Requests is the Public Portal. If you are having issues and cannot reach us for assistance, you may send your inspection request by email to BuildingDept@islandcountywa.gov

Roof-Covering Projects

Reminder: New and replacement roofing projects require a building permit

Accessory Structure Building Permits

New Single Family Residence (SFR), new Accessory Structure Building Permits and solar racking are now being accepted in person and via our online Public Portal.

Building Permit Submittal Requirements

General Requirements

• Completed Washington State Energy Code Worksheet.
• One set/copy of Building Plans (to scale).

• One set/copy of Engineering and/or Structural Plans if applicable.
• Plot Plan, no larger than 11-by-17 inches and to a standard engineering scale

• ​Completed Building Permit Application (In ink w/size 8 font min.)

Single-Family Requirements

• Address Application
• Approved Septic Permit/As Built or Applicable Sewer District Connection Cert.

• Approved Water Availability Verification (WAV) Form
• Copy of the Approved Access Permit

​New Construction (Garage/Shop etc.) on a Vacant Parcel

Note: Garage/Shop on parcels under 2.5 acres without a residence are restricted to 800 square feet.

• Approved Access Permit
• If proposing heat: Washington State Energy Code Worksheet

• If proposing plumbing: Approved Septic Permit or applicable Sewer District Certificate
• If proposing plumbing: Copy of the approved Water Availability Verification (WAV)

• Site Address Application: As pending or issued by the Island County Health Department

Building Permit Submittal Forms & Helpful Links

Holmes Harbor Sewer District
360-331-4636

As issued by the Island County Planning Department
(i.e.; Variances, Clearing and Grading Permits, RUDs, EBEY Design Guidelines / Certificate of Appropriateness, within a Cultural Resources area)Land-Use Permit

Estimate the cost of building permit fees.
Please Note: The fee schedule amounts are estimates only and are not to be used as the amount that will be due at the time of building permit submittal.Building Permit Fee Schedule (PDF)

Building Permit FAQs

Building Permit Applications are accepted until 2 p.m.

You can apply via U.S. Mail or in person at the Planning Department front counter in the Coupeville office or at the Camano Annex.

Along with the Completed Application, the following shall be provided:

• Approved Access Permit: Issued by Public Works (360-679-7331) approving the driveway onto a County road, OR Department of Transportation (360-757-5964 or 360-848-7230). When it is the first access onto the highway
• Map: An Aerial photo, or plot plan showing the accurate lot configuration. On this map indicate the Approved Access Point/Driveway and any applicable easements
• Fee: $51.50 (made payable to: Island County Planning)
• Building and/or Septic Permit numbers

Yes. If you have a Land Use submittal appointment, upon arrival let the front receptionist know that you also have a Building Permit submittal. The Land-Use Application must be accepted in order to also intake the Building Permit application and plans. Because of the limited quantity of guest cottages, they are excluded from concurrent review.

A Washington state licensed contractor is required. And yes, you are able to do the work yourself. However, an Owner/Contractor Form must be signed by the owner and submitted with the Building Permit Application.