Frequently Asked Questions

Building Permits

Yes, the City of Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-5-060E.1 states: "Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the Construction Codes and the Construction Administrative Code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit." There are some exceptions, which can be found under RMC 4-5-060E.2 105.2 Work exempt from permit.

Reroof: a permit is required if replacing roof covering or sheathing on a commercial/multi-family building or sheathing on a single family residence and will be issued over the counter. If you are doing structural alterations of roof framing (truss or rafter alterations, heavier weight roofing), plan review is required and you will need to apply for a Building Permit not a re-roof permit.

Deck: a permit is required if the deck is more than 30 inches (30") above grade. "Above grade" includes a perimeter of 5 feet (5') around the deck.

Links to additional information on the following types of structures:

Espresso Stand

Detached Shed or Garage

Fences

Retaining Wall

Swimming Pool, Spa, or Hot tub

Civil Construction and/or Utility Permits:
a permit may be required when a project is proposed to result in:

More than 500 square feet of new or replaced impervious area.

More than 7,000 square feet of land disturbing activity.

Any utility construction not limited to sanitary sewer, water or storm installation, repair, replacement, enlargement, reduction or removal.

Any work within the public right of way or use of the public right of way.

If you have any questions about whether you need a permit, contact the City of Renton Permit Services at PermitTech@rentonwa.gov

Launch the City of Renton's COR Maps to search for an address to determine if it is inside the Renton city limits.

Disclaimer: All data, information, and maps are provided "as is" without warranty or any representation of accuracy, timeliness of completeness. The burden for determining accuracy, completeness, timeliness, merchantability and fitness for or the appropriateness for use rests solely on the user. The City of Renton makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the use of the information obtained here. The user acknowledges and accepts all limitations, including the fact that the data, information, and maps are dynamic and in a constant state of maintenance, correction and update. Use of these materials constitutes acceptance of this disclaimer of liability.

Most simple over-the-counter (OTC) permits, which includes mechanical, electrical, plumbing, residential photovoltaic, and re-roofs may be applied for online on the Civic Access Self-Service Portal (CASSP). The online portal is available 24-hours a day, seven (7) days a week and enables users to apply for and receive permits electronically in minutes.

For permits that require plan review, contact the City of Renton Permit Services at PermitTech@rentonwa.gov. 

No, that option is not available.

No, you must submit individual construction plans for each building permit.

Permit fees are determined by the scope of the project and the number of permits required. Please contact the Permit Center at PermitTech@rentonwa.gov to get an estimate* for specific projects.

For permits available online, refer to the fee estimator on the Online Permit Portal. For all other permits, refer to the fee schedule. 

For a complete list of fees, see the City of Renton's Budget page for a link to the Fee Schedule.

*Estimates are not final and are subject to change.

To request a search for building plans you will need to submit a Public Records Request online. Microfilmed plans will be made available to you as soon as possible. You may have copies made at a cost to you. 

No, work on a project may not legally begin before a permit is obtained and is on the work site. Some clean-up and clearing (less than 500 square feet) may begin before the building permit is issued. Any work within critical areas (not limited to wetlands, wetland buffers, streams, creeks, rivers, landslide hazard areas) shall require a permit.

Construction activities that require construction or building permits and that are conducted in residential areas or within 300 feet (300') or residential areas shall be restricted to the following hours:

Single family remodel or single-family addition construction activities shall be restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work on Saturdays and Sundays shall be restricted to the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. 

Commercial, multi-family, new single family and other non-residential construction activities shall be restricted to the hours between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work on Saturdays shall be restricted to the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. No work shall be permitted on Sundays.

After obtaining the proper permits, a property owner may perform work on his own property or use his own employees to perform work. A tenant may work on a tenant space with permission from the owner. The only exception to this are electrical permits for which homeowners may do the work themselves if they have resided in the house for at least three (3) years.

Any work within the public right of way or on City-owned facilities shall be performed by a licensed and bonded contractor.

No, except when applying for a new single family combination permit, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing is included with the new single family permit. There is no additional cost for this and it will simplify the plan review process, allowing the contractor to use one permit number when calling in inspections.

Inspection requests for building permits and some civil and utility construction permits may be made by calling the 24-hour Integrated Voice Response (IVR) line at 425-430-7202. Or schedule your inspection online by going to the Civic Access Self-Service Portal (CASSP). For instructions on how to schedule an inspection online, refer to the Schedule an Inspection Online Tip Sheet, you must be logged in to schedule inspections on this site. Inspections for civil and utility construction permits may be be made by calling the construction inspection request line at 425-430-7203.

No, City of Renton does not have a call ahead policy, but if you would like to speak with the assigned inspector that will perform your inspection for an anticipated arrival estimate, you may contact the inspector directly after 8am. Go to the Civic Access Self-Service Portal (CASSP), click Today's Inspections for a list of the scheduled inspections, the assigned Inspector and their phone number.

No appointment is required but all permits are submitted electronically.  Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing permits are available online and for all others contact PermitTech@rentonwa.gov for instructions on how to submit.

Or you can now book free virtual appointments to get direct assistance from City staff, who will be able to answer basic questions about the City of Renton zoning, building, and development requirements for permitting. Schedule a 15-minute meeting with City of Renton Permit Center staff from the Planning, Development Engineering, and Building teams.

Please see the Virtual Meeting Customer Tip Sheet for help with scheduling, rescheduling or cancelling your virtual meeting.

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