What are your office hours?
Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed 12 PM - 1 PM
How do I apply for a permit?
Applying for a permit can be done in person at the Grays Harbor County Building Division office or by mail after contacting the Building Division to set up the receipt of your application.
Please visit the Property Development page for more information regarding the permitting process.
What types of work are exempt from permitting?
Work exempt from permitting for both commercial and residential applications are described in the following bulletins:
Please visit the Work Exempt page for more information regarding work exempt from permitting, in addition to the permitting process.
When is my permit issued?
Your building permit will be issued after being reviewed and approved by each of the following departments as applicable.
- Planning Division - Critical Areas and Setbacks Review
- Environmental Health - On-Site Sewage Review
- Environmental Health - Drinking Water Review
- Fire Marshall - Fire Equipent Access Driveway Review
- Public Works - Road Access Review
- Building Division - Plan Review
You will be contacted by a permit coordinator when the permit is ready for issuance. You may contact the Grays Harbor County Building Division to check the status of your permit application at (360) 249-4222.
Please visit the Property Development page for more information regarding the permitting process.
How long is my permit good for?
Issued permits are good for 180 days from the last approved inspection received on the project. Projects can have their permit validity extended, for valid reasons, beyond the initial 180 days by request of the applicant in writing to the Grays Harbor County Building Division prior to the expiration deadline being reached.
How much does a permit cost?
Permit costs are dependant upon the overall value of the proposed project and vary greatly. Factors such as square footage and type of construction of the proposal are used in this calculation. In cases where building area is not appropriate for determining valuation, written bids may be required to establish the value.
We encourage you to visit the Building Division Fee Schedule page which explains and illustrates how fees are calculated.
However, please note that these values are subject to change/update bi-annually. Please contact a Permit Coordinator prior to submittal to verify accurate fee totals or estimates at (360) 249-4222.
What is the Wind Speed, Snow Load, or other design criteria for my area?
Design criteria for buildings at a particular site can be determined by referencing the GHC Design Criteria - Seismic & Wind Zone handout or by contacting the Grays Harbor County Building Division at (360) 249-4222 with your parcel number or address.
Can I draw my own plans for my project?
Applicants can draw and submit plans to the building department for most projects less than 4,000 square feet in area or for single family residences and their accessory structures. The accuracy, code compliance and any revisions necessary to meet required codes are the responsibility of the applicant.
Does the County provide plans?
Grays Harbor County currently does have plans for pre-engineered pole building construction with limitations. Please carefully review these limitations by viewing the below bulletin.
*Building plans for other structures must be provided by the applicant.
Do my plans have to be engineered?
Some plans may require design by a licensed Washington State Engineer in order to be approved for permit issuance. This determination can usually be made during the plan review process or preliminarily by consulting with Building Division staff.
Where can I find a list of Engineers or Architects?
Grays Harbor County does not maintain a list of licensed Architects or Engineers. You may consult a local telephone book, online search engine, or visit the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website in order to find a list of licensed Architects and Engineers in Washington State.
Where can I find a list of Licensed Contractors?
Grays Harbor County does not maintain a list of licensed Contractors. You may consult a local telephone book, online search engine, or visit the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website in order to find a list of licensed Contractors in Washington State.
We encourage you to review Technical Bulletin #12 Hiring a Contractor, for advice in regards to licensed contractors.
Can I do the work myself?
Property owners are permitted to perform work on their own property. When applying for a permit you will be asked to sign a form acknowledging the laws governing self contracting. (RCW 18.27.020, 18.27.110 and 18.27.114.)
Does the County have copies of my old permits and plans?
The Building Division retains historic building permit records according to the Washington State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State records retention schedule.
- Residential Permit Retention
- Plans and project specifications are retained for one-hundred-eighty (180) days after the project receives an approved final inspection,
- Or, when the permit becomes expired/abandoned.
- Commercial Permit Retention
- Plans and project specifications are kept indefinitely.
Historic building permit information is available verbally by request both in office or by phone. If you would like copies of these records a Public Records Request may be required depending upon the extent of the requested information.Please contact a Permit Coordinator with questions regarding historic permits at (360) 249-4222. If you would like to make a Public Records Request please click here.
Where can I find the forms I need to apply for a building permit?
The forms needed to apply for a building permit may be found in the following locations:
- Property Development page,
- Document Center or,
- By contacting a Permit Coordinator in the Grays Harbor County Building Division.
What if I still have questions?
Please visit or contact the office and staff will assist you.
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