Building Permits

Permit Summary
FAQs on Building Permits
Important Links from Community Development
Building Permit Exemptions
Development Review Committee

Welcome to the City of Fife Permit Center. Our goal is to assist you in your permitting needs, as quickly and friendly as possible. From pre-submittal meetings, to inspections, to certificate of occupancies, the permit center is responsible for all development permits within the City of Fife.

To make the permitting process as efficient as possible, a checklist of submittal requirements for Residential or Industrial/Commercial permits is available here.

The Permit Center is also responsible for scheduling inspections for issued permits. To schedule an inspection call (253) 922-9624 by 4:00 pm the day prior to your preferred inspection date.

Permit Fees:
For permit fees you can view our Fee Schedule. Permits not listed on this schedule have fees that are determined at time of application. This is because the fee is based on information provided by the applicant (i.e. valuation, construction type, square footage, number of fixtures, etc). For an estimate you can call Bonnie or Rachael.

Location
City Hall
5411 23^rd
Fife, WA 98424

Contact:
Bonnie Rushmeier
Phone: (253) 922-9624
Fax: (253) 922-5355

Permit Summary

Building Permits - FAQ

What is my property zoned
What can I build/develop on my piece of property
Is my permit ready?
How can I schedule an inspection
What is my parcel number?
What do I need a building permit for?

What is my property zoned?
City of Fife Zoning Map

What can I build/develop on my piece of property?
For major development of a lot, it is recommended that you schedule a DRC meeting. Visit the DRC page for instructions and meeting application. What you are able to build on your property depends on the intended Use. First determine how you property is zoned. To do this, refer to the City of Fife Zoning Map. Second refer to Title 19 of the Fife Municipal Code, determine if your use is allowed in that zone.

Is my permit ready?
Permits are reviewed on a first come first serve basis. If the applicant failed to provide a complete application the permit can not be reviewed until all necessary information is received. Permit Coordinators will make sure the application is complete at time of application. If further information is need for review the applicant will be notified. As soon as the permit is reviewed and approved by staff it is given to the permit coordinators who will contact you. If there are any additional fees that need to be paid the permit coordinators will notify you at this time.

How can I schedule an inspection?
Inspections are scheduled everyday, in 15 minute increments from 8:00 AM -3:45 PM. To schedule an inspection call (253) 922-9624 by 4:00 PM the day prior to you preferred inspection date.

What is my parcel number?
A parcel number is the most useful item on a permit application. Therefore it is extremely helpful when you can supply it to the permit coordinators on your permit application. To find your parcel number, follow this link to the Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer website. Here you can enter house number and street, to find your parcel number. Make sure the parcel type is a "real" parcel and the parcel status is "active". Also, by clicking on your parcel number you can find all sorts of handy information such as; building and land value, maps of your property, sale history, building history, and even view and pay your property taxes.

What do I need a building permit for?
There are a lot of reasons to apply for and acquire a building permit. A building permit ensures:

The contractors are registered licensed and insured
Adequate documentation is prepared to construct your building or extension/alteration
Review of building plans and structural calculations occurs
Key stages of the work are inspected
Your building is assessed as suitable for occupation

Section 105.1 of the 2006 International Building Code regarding required permits reads; "Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or 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 this code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit."

Important Links from Community Development

Regional Links:

Green & Low Impact Development

Informative Links

Governmental Links

Building Permit Exemptions

Below are excerpts from the 2006 International Building Code and the 2006 International Residential code. These are structures and actions that do not require a permit.

2006 International Building Code

Section 105.2: Work exempt from permit

Permits shall not be required for the following:

Building

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storages sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square ft.
Fences not over 6ft high
Oil derricks
Retaining walls that are not over 4 ft in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5.000 gallons and the ration of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route
Painting, papering tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery
Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely above ground
Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not included service systems
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inched from the exterior wall and do not require addition support of group R-3 and U occupancies

Mechanical:

Portable heating appliance
Portable ventilation equipment
Portable cooling equipment
Steam hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulate by this code
Replacement of any part that does not alter is approval or make it unsafe
Portable evaporative cooler
Self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by a motor or 1 horsepower or less

Plumbing:

The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code
The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal of reinstallation of water closets, provide such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures

2006 International Residential Code

Section R105.2: Work exempt from permit:

Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provision of this code or any other laws or ordinance of this jurisdiction.

Building:

One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storages sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square ft
Fences not over 6ft high
Retaining walls that are not over 4 ft in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5.000 gallons and the ration of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1
Sidewalks and driveways
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep
Swings and other playground equipment
Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall land do not require additional support
Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less
Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid

If you have any questions as to where your project falls in these descriptions you can contact a permit coordinator or building official at (253) 922-9624.