FAQs • San Juan County, WA • CivicEngage

Do building permits expire?

San Juan County has amended the Building codes and imposed a 5 year lifespan on permits. If your project is not COMPLETE within 5 years, your permit will expire. In addition, you must pay yearly renewal fees, and have inspections yearly.

Delays in construction will cause your permit to expire: Per SJCC 15.04.070

7. IBC Section 105.5 (Expiration) is amended to read as follows:

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 1 year after its issuance or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 1 year after the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, extension of time, for a period of one (1) additional year. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

8. IBC Section 105.5.1 (Expiration) is added to read as follows:

At the end of 60 months after issuance of a building permit, if construction has started but is not complete as evidenced by the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the permit shall expire. To finish work not completed at the time of expiration, a new permit shall be applied for and obtained. The valuation of construction for permit fees shall be the valuation of construction remaining that has not been inspected. The building official may authorize a single 12 month extension of the permit upon review of written request for such extension.

Renewal fees are due yearly on the anniversary of the date of the issuance. It is your responsibility to renew your permit, or it will also expire. Inspections cannot be scheduled until renewal fees have been made current. Contact our office for renewals, or pay renewal fees on the portal.

Expiration of permits, requires that you renew your permit by re-applying, and paying fees. All renewal applications are subject to any new codes in effect at the time of application (completed application) Fees will be subject to current fee schedule, and work not complete will be required to be paid for again.

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1. What are the Design Criteria and building codes for San Juan County?

San Juan County has adopted the state building codes and has adopted some amendments to them. This list of Design Criteria will help professionals correctly determine how to design structures built in our our area.

International Residential Code as amended by the state: IRC

International Building Code: IBC

WA state Building code council: SBCC.wa.gov

SJCC: San Juan County codes

2. I would like to build something. Where do I begin?

First determine if the proposed work requires a permit. SJC has a list of items that are exempt from permitting. Additionally we offer some insight for pre-application assistance.

If your project does require a permit, find permit applications here.

If you are ready to apply for your permit, please create an account and apply using the Online Permit Center.

3. How can I get information of code that governs my project/permit?

WA state amended building codes for building code questions.

San Juan County Code for development and land use questions.

If you have exhausted your search and still need help ask here:

Ask a Question/Request Assistance

4. What is a site plan, when do I need it and how is it made?

Site plans are required for nearly all permits in San Juan County. A site plan shows a bird's eye view of the parcel, and the proposed work on that parcel, so the reviewer can judge if it conforms to various regulations.

Items to check on a site plan:

1. Distance to property lines for setbacks, or fire separation.

2. Accurately measure square footage of building footprints, decks, roofs, driveways etc.

3. Show All other structures on the parcel for counting density for Land use/Zoning regulations.

4. Show wells, and or septic system components and piping. (Water and Sewer)

5. Show location of LPG tanks and piping, including equipment like generators or fuel tanks for fire separation requirements.

You do not need to be a surveyor, or architect to be able to draw a site plan, but you will need to provide a clear drawing TO SCALE that shows us all the required information. See requirements below.

For Single trade permits like a Mechanical, or Plumbing permit, or Deck Demo and Re-roofs, a simple site plan will suffice. See instructions here: SIMPLE SITE PLAN INSTRUCTIONS

On all other projects we require that you submit a comprehensive site plan. Instructions and details here: Site plan and instructions

Site plan instructions example
Site Plan example

5. What are common building permits?

1. Standard Residential Building permit: Most common permit type for Single Family Residence (SFR) built using the International Residential Building Code (IRC). This will cover a one- or two-family residence, or accessory structure up to 35 feet in height and 3 stories tall. Standard building and energy codes apply.

2. Commercial Building permit: This permit involves new construction AND changes in occupancy from one class to another for commercial uses like: offices, mercantile, assembly, retail, or storage. ALL occupancy classes will be governed by the International BUILDING Code (IBC) and Washington state commercial energy code.

3. Remodel/Addition permit: Typically this type of permit covers major changes to an existing structure, or expansion of the existing footprint.

4. Plumbing/Mechanical permit, or Single trade: Relatively simple projects such as installing a LPG tank, heater, furnace or water heater, are also referred to as "single trade" projects. Typically such projects only require a Plumbing or Mechanical permit. If you are adding square footage, or remodeling a house, you must apply for a standard building permit (Residential or Commercial)

5. Demolition ("Demo") permit: Used when one wants to remove a structure completely. Demo permits are required to remove the structure from the tax assessor’s inventory. Moved structures require Demo permits.

6. Relocation permit: Used when moving an existing approved building to a new location, even when on the same lot. Permission to move on County roads is required. Moving a structure requires permitting and approval PRIOR to placing it at a new location.

7. Revision: Permit to revise or change scope of work from approved plans. Revisions are required when adding additional square feet, increasing the height of a building, siting the building at a different location on the same lot, changing number of bedrooms or egress, or adding fixtures not previously approved. Changing the construction of the building, like changing roof type, or revised engineering, requires new plan review.

8. Owner Builder permits (for occupied structures) and Owner Builder Exemptions (for non-occupied structures): San Juan County is unique in that we offer a different permit type which allows an owner to build their own structures under certain circumstances. There are some restrictions; please refer to the San Juan County code for details.

Applications can be found here: Permit applications.

6. Is there a checklist of application documents?

Our permit packets contain a list of items that are needed for a complete submittal. It's nearly impossible to create a comprehensive list of items for every different scenario. However, the list shown in each application packet will guide you when you are ready to upload and submit your application. (some permit applications are currently undergoing changes due to recent code updates, and we update them regularly on our website. Be sure you are using the most current version, and include all the relevant documents when applying.pre-application assistance page provides some drawing examples if you need help.

There is a checklist that may also guide you for compiling your documents.

7. How do I apply?

San Juan County has switched to a paperless system for, applying, issuing, and tracking permits. ALL permit applications are handled through the SmartGov permit portal.

Here are some handy links and instructions:

Create a login on the portal and verify email/password
Download application from our website, link below
Fill out the application and save to your computer (Applications are undergoing changes, fillable forms will be available soon)
Create a new *submittal on the portal (*permit application)
Upload your documents to the portal (all items needed for your permit type are listed in the submittal area of your permit and vary by permit type).
Pay any Plan review fees to start the review process (some permits don’t require a fee upfront)
DCD staff will review the submittal shortly and update you if more information is needed.

County Portal:

https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home

DCD webpage home:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/312/Community-Development

Applications:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/981/Building-Permit-Applications

Pre App assistance and info:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/1301/Pre-Application-Assistance

Buildings exempt from permits:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/998/Structures-Exempt-From-Building-Permits

Policies:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/635/Policies

WSEC: new changes for 2018 you’ll need to be aware of!

http://www.energy.wsu.edu/BuildingEfficiency/EnergyCode.aspx

http://www.energy.wsu.edu/videos/wsec_2018-residential/

Free IRC/IBC access to codes:

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2015

Upcodes.com - Free access

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Here are the instructions for signing up on the public portal for your permit

You only need to do this one time to connect your account with all of your permits. This will allow you to access your permit, pay fees online, and schedule inspections. Detailed instructions below:

If you are SIGNING UP,

1) GO TO: https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home and click on “sign up”

Portal sign up snippet

2) Enter your e-mail address and a password:

3) You will receive a verification link in your e-mail.

4) Click on the “Verify” button to verify your e-mail address.

5) Return to the browser

6) Log out and log back in again.

Many functions are available on the portal:

APPLYING FOR PERMITS(No access code required, but if you already have one, please use it to avoid multiple accounts and inability to view all permits together. Each account has a unique portal access code, do not give yours out. Contact DCD@sanjuanco.comfor your code AFTER you have signed up.)

1) Click on MY PORTAL to apply, view permits, or request inspections etc.

2) Click on Apply Online

3) Select Category: Building, Land Use, or Fire Marshal (Addressing falls under the category of Building) (ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS WILL FALL UNDER ‘BUILDING SUBMITTAL’, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY LISTED). You can choose “REVISION” if you are updating an existing active permit. Expired permits must be renewed, or re-applied for.

4) Select Application: Select the type of application you are applying for.

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