Frequently Asked Questions

The various building, mechanical and plumbing codes and ordinances adopted by the City of Ellensburg define certain activities and/or structures that are exempt from building permit requirements. While an activity may be exempt from building, mechanical and/or plumbing permit requirements there may be other local, federal and state permitting requirements. For example, the following still apply: Critical Areas protection, setbacks requirements, lot coverage requirements, parking, etc. Therefore, please contact the Community Development Department prior to initiating any work to ensure that you are complying with all applicable codes, regulations and ordinances. For more information, view Building Permit Exemptions Bulletin BB-11

There are two ways to schedule Building and/or Land Use Permit inspections in the City of Ellensburg:

1- Telephone Inspection Request Line
Call the Inspection Request Line at (509) 962-7142. Inspections must be scheduled by 4:00 pm the day prior to get an inspection for the following day. The inspection request line is cleared at 4:00 pm; if requests are made after 4:00 pm then they will occur two business days out, unless a different day is requested.

2- SMARTGov On-Line Permit Center
Inspections can be scheduled by using the City of Ellensburg’s online SMARTGov web-based permitting software program. The SMARTGov website allows permit customers to view detailed permit information, schedule inspections and review the approval process of their permit application.

Inspections must be scheduled by 4:00 pm for a next day inspection. Inspections scheduled before 4:00 PM the day prior will get an inspection for the following day. If requests are made after 4:00 pm then they will occur two business days out, unless a different day is requested.

SMARTGov On-Line Permit Center

If so, there is a new statewide Clean Building Performance Standard (Standard) that may apply to a building you own. The Standard is mandatory for all covered commercial buildings located in the state of Washington, starting in 2026. A covered commercial building is a building where the sum of nonresidential, hotel, motel and dormitory floor areas exceed 50,000 gross square feet, excluding the parking garage area. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) will be posting compliance requirements and a full list of possible covered commercial buildings on the Clean Buildings webpage, available beginning July 1, 2021. The list was generated using records obtained from each county assessor and other available information sources. Commerce will also be mailing notification letters to building owners after quality assurance checks on the list are complete.

The Early Adopter Incentive Program also launches on July 1, 2021. The program provides financial incentives to encourage early compliance with the Standard. A form will be available on the webpage on the day of the launch for building owners to communicate their intent to apply. Incentive funds are limited to $75 million. For more information about this program and the qualifications for applying, please visit the Clean Buildings Early Adopter Incentive Program webpage.

The site plan or plot plan is a graphical presentation of an entire lot as seen from an aerial view. This site plan will be used by City of Ellensburg Community Development Department, Public Works Department and Energy Services Department to check many things that are critical for the issuance of a building permit, including: setbacks, easements, driveway and parking lot, utility locations, lot coverage, street frontage improvements and critical areas. Three (3) copies of the site plan are required for residential building permit applications and five (5) copies for Commercial or Multi-Family building permit applications. (See the example drawing and for more information view the Site Plan Requirements Bulletin BB-10)

Over the counter Mechanical and Plumbing Permits Most mechanical and plumbing permits for work such as replacing or adding a furnace, air conditioner, water heater, toilet, shower, etc. can be issued over the counter and take approximately 30 minutes. Windows, Doors, Siding and Re-Roof Most of these types of permits can be issued the same day over the counter. However, if the project is located in a critical area or structural changes or repair are needed, then the permit cannot be issued the same day over the counter. New Single Family Residence, Garage, Shop A permit for a new house, garage or shop takes approximately 5-6 weeks to review and issue. All new construction permits must be routed to Public Works, Energy Services, Planning and the Fire Marshal for review and approval. Commercial, Multi-Family and Public There is no definitive time that can be established for review and approval for either new commercial, multi-family or public buildings. These types of structures usually require much more time for review due to the complexity of the structure and the site infrastructure. A Pre-Application meeting is required for these structures and staff may be able to provide an approximate review time at this meeting. Commercial Tenant Improvement Simple tenant improvement permits, that only involve interior work, can usually be issued in 1 week. However, if water, electrical or gas meters will be modified or location change the permit may take longer to issue. Tenant improvement permits that involve additions and/or exterior work will require more review time and no definitive review time can be provided, each project will require the time necessary for a complete review.