Community Development
Building
Functions & Responsibilities
The Building Division of Community Development oversees building and related construction activities to protect the public health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors pursuant to the construction codes. Chelan County enforces the International Codes, Washington State Amendments and Washington Administrative Code (WAC), all as adopted in CCC Chapter 3.04. A free online version of the International Codes is available by visiting the ICC website and hard copy of the code books can be purchased by visiting the ICC Bookstore or WABO Bookstore. Both of these versions of the Code do not include any amendments specific to Washington State. To check Washington State amendments to building codes please visit the Washington State Building Code Council website.
The Building Division is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the following programs and activities: International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fire and the Uniform Plumbing Codes, Washington State Energy Code; Chelan County Code; FEMA flood protection requirements & Floodplain Development Permits; Accessibility & Washington State Barrier Free Design requirements and other Washington State and Federal laws. Activities include permit application intakes, public assistance on permit process, plan reviews, permit issuance, and inspections during construction.
Commonly requested information
Information for other common questions
- Determine snow loads and other design criteria
- Manufactured home building permit submittal information
- Yurts information
- 2015 International pool and spa code, with local requirements
- Lead-arsenate soil contamination remediation pilot project findings
Fire Prevention & Investigation Department
Fire Prevention and Investigation
Washington State Energy Code Compliance Forms & Links
Residential forms
- WSU Extension Energy Program (reference sheet)
- 2021 WSEC -R Single Family Work Sheet All Climate Zones (reference sheet)
- Energy Options Worksheet
Commercial forms
Floodplain Regulations & Forms
- CCC Chapter 3.20 FLOOD HAZARD DEVELOPMENT
- Flood Plain Development Permit Application
- Crawlspace design considerations within floodplains
- FEMA Elevation Certificate Form and Instructions
The FEMA Flood Map Service Center, or MSC, is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program. Use the MSC to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk.
Inspections
All inspections with the Chelan County must be scheduled 24 hours in advance. All requests must be made daily by 4 p.m. Inspections called in after 4 p.m. on Fridays or over the weekend will not be scheduled until Tuesday’s inspections.
To schedule an inspection, call 509-667-6635 and provide the following information:
- Permit Number
- Address
- Type of Inspection
- Date to perform the inspection
- Your name and phone number in case we need to call you back
Building Division Frequently Asked Questions
The WA State Residential Code exempts small accessory structures, such as tool sheds and playhouses that are 288 square feet or less and limited to one-story. The accessory structure would still have to comply with the required zoning setbacks. These exempt structures are not to be used for habitation.
Small dwelling units less than 1,500 square feet require five energy credits, medium-size dwelling units require eight energy credits, and large dwelling units exceeding 5,000 square feet require nine energy credits. There are 7 categories to choose from and you can only choose one option from each category when mixing and matching energy credits.
Please contact our office and ask for a plans examiner. You will need to have a parcel number or address of the parcel ready when you call. Snow loads are site-specific and can vary drastically per site. The County will provide you with both the ground and roof snow loads. Your design professional or truss manufacturer will use these numbers when designing your structure.
Yes, a permit is required from the county for the placement of a manufactured home or a mobile home. If the home was built prior to June 15, 1976 an alteration permit issued by the Department of Labor and Industries is required prior to submitting a permit with the county. The county will inspect for the foundation system and setup of the home only.
Yes, these are allowed to be permitted with an approved placement permit from the county and if they meet the following criteria.True Park Model RV’s are certified to the ANSI A119.5 Standard and are regulated by Washington State Department of Labor and Industries as Factory-Assembled Structures. They can be used as permanent dwellings as long as the unit contains a WA State Insignia approved by state Labor and Industries and the unit is placed on a permanent foundation with approved utilities.
Yes, tiny houses are regulated by the Washington State Residential Code (Appendix Q) and are allowed to be built on-site as permanent dwellings. Tiny Houses on wheels that are constructed off-site must be approved by Washington State Labor and Industries as Factory-Assembled Structures.
Yes, yurts are allowed to be used as permanent dwelling units as long as the structure is placed on a permanent foundation and meets the current building code requirements for structural, life-safety, and energy efficiency.
A 5' fence is required around all pools. If the dwelling unit is used as part of the pool barrier, then there are additional requirements for doors and windows that access the pool area as well.
No, per RCW 18.08.410, a residential building up to and including four dwelling units is exempt from having to have the structure professionally designed. However, elements of the structure exceeding the prescriptive requirements of the code may require engineered design, such as where ground snow loads exceed 70 pounds per square feet.
Yes, a placement permit is required in addition to any land-use permitting. This is in order to verify that the required setbacks are met.
Permit applications are valid for 6 months and the application period can be extended an additional 6 months as long as the customer pursues their permit in good faith. Applications can be extended in 3 month increments for residential projects and in 6 month increments for commercial projects. If not pursued in good faith, the application expires and is cancelled. Once the permit has been issued, it is valid for 2-years to complete the required work. An issued permit can be extended for 1 additional year and can only be extended one time.
Posted: 01/29/2015 09:32 AM
Last Updated: 10/23/2025 01:14 PM