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"Do I Need a Building Permit?"

Excavator digging near home

All applicable commercial and residential construction in Bingen requires a permit to ensure that safety matters are addressed, as well as Washington State Code, Bingen Municipal Code, & International Building Codes.

Generally, Bingen requires a building permit (or a mechanical, plumbing, or grading permit) anytime you erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, convert, or demolish a building or structure.   There are several benefits to getting a permit for your project, including increasing the resale value, ensuring your insurance company will cover repairs, and avoiding fines for unpermitted work.

Only certain small-scale projects are exempt from building permits. Common exemptions include:

  • Detached residential accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 300 square feet and the structure does not include any plumbing.
  • Fences not over 6 feet high.
  • Retaining walls, which are not over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
  • Platforms, decks, sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade.
  • Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
  • Clearing or repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and the removal and re-installation of toilets and/or sinks, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.

If in doubt, please ask!  The City of Bingen contracts with Skamania County for Building and Inspection Services.  Please contact building@co.skamania.wa.us for Builiding Permit questions and permitcenter@co.skamania.wa.us with Planning questions. An exemption from a building permit does not exempt you from following building code or from any other permitting requirements. You are still required to maintain the required setbacks for your zoning designation and will also be required to maintain any buffers from all critical areas that may be located on your parcel.

Contact the Community Development Department at (509) 427-3900 and ask to speak with a planner for more information about what might be required even if you are exempt from a building permit.

When do I need a construction permit?

A construction permit is needed for all new construction. If you are just repairing or replacing fixtures in the same location or replacing windows (same size, same location), you will most likely not need a permit. However, if you are making additions or changes to an existing system, such as plumbing or wiring, you may need a plumbing, electrical, or mechanical permit. For example, moving and/or adding an electrical outlet requires an electrical permit.  Owners remodeling their home or adding other improvements, such as decks, roofs, garage, or retaining walls, will likely need a building permit.  

What if I don't get a permit?
Failure to obtain a permit before construction begins is a violation of the City’s codes and regulations and could subject you to fines and penalties. You'll be required to obtain permits for the work and it must pass inspection, or you must return the structure or site to its original condition. Permit fees may be doubled as a penalty. A separate investigation inspection permit will also be required before submittal of the building permit to correct any construction started without permit. Construction codes were created for safety reasons. Work built without a permit can be unsafe, no matter how good it looks.