Permits and Inspections

If your project involves building, remodeling, installing, or altering a structure, utility, or site feature, a permit is likely required. Refer to PAM #009: Do I Need A Permit?

1. Determine if a permit is necessary. If so, gather applicable documents based on application requirements.
2. Apply for a permit online.
3. Staff will determine completeness of application, as well as confirm the permit filing fee was paid.
4. Once determined complete, staff will route the permit application to the applicable reviewers.
5. Reviewers either submit application approvals, or comments for correction to staff.
   • If corrections are needed, staff will send the applicant a comment letter detailing each correction item requested.
   • Once the applicant submits corrected items, the new submittals will be routed to the same reviewers to confirm completion.
6. Staff will verify all fees are paid for the permit before issuance.
7. Applicant will receive notification of permit issuance in the online permit portal as well as an email, with a copy of the issued permit attached. Work may now begin.
8. Applicant will schedule necessary inspections based on the scope of work.
9. Once the final inspection is completed, permit will be finalized.

Property owners or contractors may apply for permits. If an authorized agent is applying for a permit on behalf of the owner, a Affidavit Agent Authority form must be included in the application. This form requires written permission from one of the parties of ownership of the property.

For contractors working in Normandy Park for the first time, or Homeowners acting as your own contractor, a NPBL is required for applying to permits. Engaging in the activities of a contractor who is ‘installing, constructing or supervising installation of, real or personal property’ meets the requirements set forth by NPMC 4.02.025 (3)(f).

You can apply for a city business license through the Washington State Department of Revenue. Once applied and paid for, please submit a copy of the confirmation/receipt of this transaction to permits@normandyparkwa.gov.

A pre-application conference offers applicants guidance in preparing a development proposal for submittal. Pre-application meetings acquaint applicants with the substantive and procedural requirements of the Normandy Park Municipal Code and applicable elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Submit applications via SmartGov.

The discussion at the conference and information given provides technical and design assistance to the applicant, and to otherwise identify policies and regulations associated with the proposed development.

You will pay for an application and for the city’s contracted consultant cost to review that application. This latter cost is passed through to applicants as part of the review process. Planning and Building Services 1) charge fees for applications and 2) bill for contract consultant review. This charging and billing authority resides within the NPMC (14.05.330 Use of consultants and 14.05.375 Fees) and within the adopted 2025 Fee Schedule. 

The city relies extensively on contracted consultant review to meet its regulatory obligations. These bills (as set by our professional services agreements with these consultants), and special studies conducted by a contracted consultant and required by code, are billed at cost to the applicant. This includes costs for plan review, civil engineering, environmentally critical disciplines, the hearing examiner, and other professional consultant services incurred by the city in the review, processing or monitoring of zoning or land use and zoning permit applications and projects as well as bonds and maintenance requirements. 

There are additional charges outlined in the Fee Schedule for revisions, appeals, and specialized items including research requests not part of an application, pre-application meetings, code interpretation, bonds and maintenance agreements, sign permits, temporary uses, certain variances to Title 18, right-of-way permits, and processes when not part of an application permit such as drainage review and environmental review.

The City utilizes contracted consultants to conduct building, engineering, and environmental reviews. The costs for these services are billed to the City by the consultant and passed through to the applicant. Because these invoices are issued directly by the consultant, there may be a delay before they appear on your permit. In some cases, consultant invoices may be received after the permit has already been approved. If your project has incurred these costs, they will appear in the permit portal under the fee category labeled “Contracted Consultant Pass-Through.”

Normandy Park’s Online Permitting System acts as an all-in-one system. For customers submitting applications online, follow the steps below to submit payment:

Step 1: Log into the Online Permit Account

Step 2: Click on ‘Pay Online’

Step 3: Your payment will be processed and your permit will be processed and issued within 1-2 business days. If you have any questions, send an email to permits@normandyparkwa.gov with “SmartGov Question” in the subject line.

Payment may be submitted in person at City Hall Monday through Friday from 8:30am – noon & 1:00-4:00pm. Credit card, checks, and cash are accepted.

Checks may also be dropped in the City Hall mail slot outside of business hours. Please include the permit number on the check.

Mail a check to City Hall – 801 SW 174th Normandy Park, WA 98166. Please include the permit number on the check.

Building permits expire two years after date of issuance. A request for an extended expiration date can be submitted to permits@normandyparkwa.gov, subject to approval. For more information on permit extensions, refer to PAM #005: Extending, Renewing, or Reestablishing a Permit

No. Work must not begin until the permit has been approved and issued. Starting work early may result in stop-work orders, additional fees, or required corrections.

For over the counter (OTC) permits, processing time will take 1-2 business days*. This is because planning review is not necessary.

For building permits, initial review takes an average of 2-3 weeks*. If required to resubmit corrections, additional review cycles typically take 10 business days*.

*Processing time starts once a complete application is received. If an application is put on hold, a comment letter is sent, and the timeline is paused until resubmittal.

Required inspections depend on the type of work approved under the permit. Your permit record will list applicable inspections, and staff can help clarify which inspections apply to your project.

Unpermitted work may result in additional fees, required corrections, delays, or removal of completed work.