Do you need a permit?

These are just some examples, and are not all inclusive, as to what work requires a permit. See the Kirkland Municipal Code Section 21.06.205 for more information.

• Above-ground prefabricated pools over 5,000 gallons 
• Addition, removal or relocation of walls, whether load-bearing or not
• Carport construction
• Creating or registering a mother-in-law apartment or accessory dwelling unit (ADU) (DADU) (AADU)
• Deck construction (greater than 30 inches above grade)
• A detached structure that is less than 200 square feet and used for anything other than a storage shed
• Dock repairs and modifications
• Exterior door, window and skylight installations that require a new opening
• Electrical circuit and service extensions or alterations
• Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and gas inserts
• Furnace or heat pump installation
• Garage conversions to living space
• Garbage and recycling enclosures(PDF, 77KB)
• Gas piping installations or modifications
• Home-business conversions
• In-ground or above-ground swimming pools two feet deep or deeper
• Interior remodels
• Irrigation system installation
• New hose bibs or drinking fountains
• Prefabricated phone booths, PODS,or similar type prefabricated rooms
• Re-roof(PDF, 89KB) involving structural elements (such as sheathing, skylights, mechanical equipment, etc.)
• Rockeries and retaining walls (over four feet in height)
• Sheetrock (drywall) removal or installation
• Sidewalk cafes
• Soil removal or fill (over 50 cubic yards or if course of drainage changes)
• Spas built on site. Hot tubs that are prefabricated do not require a building permit, but do require an electrical permit.
• Saunas built on site.
• Tenant improvement for your commercial business(PDF, 132KB)
• Tree removal
• Temporary use(PDF, 226KB) of the right-of-way (dumpsters, moving trucks, etc.)
• Water heater installation
• Window installation

Exemptions from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of the technical codes or any other laws or ordinances of the City of Kirkland. For new or replacement structures, contact the Planning Department to determine what zoning regulations apply. See the Kirkland Municipal Code Section 21.06.215 for more information.

NOTE: Permit exemptions shall not apply to areas of flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline or other land use critical areas. Use the Property Search Tool to generate a Parcel Report for the project address to see if any of these critical areas apply.

• Fences(PDF, 265KB) that are 6 feet or less in height
• Job shacks (portable structures for which the primary purpose is to serve as a temporary office during construction activity of a large development)
• Hot tubs that are pre-manufactured. An electrical permit is required. 
• Like in-kind appliance and fixture replacement (such as dishwashers, ovens, toilets, sinks) in the same location, provided no modifications are made to gas lines, plumbing lines or electrical circuits 
• Like-in-kind re-roofing(PDF, 89KB) of one- and two-family dwellings, provided the roof sheathing is not removed or replaced 
• One-story detached IRC accessory structures (accessory to one- or two-family dwellings) used for a tool or storage shed that are 200 square feet or less in area and 12 feet or less in height (vehicle storage, office/studio/craft or similar uses are not exempt from permit) 
• One-story children's playhouses and similar structures (accessory to one- or two-family dwellings) that are 200 square feet or less in area and 12 feet or less in height 
• One-story tree-supported play structures (accessory to one- or two-family dwellings) that are 200 square feet or less in area 
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work, provided the existing accessibility features are not altered 
• Replacement of non-structural siding on one- or two-family dwellings (except for veneer, stucco or EIFS) 
• Sidewalks, decks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade, which are not located over a basement or story below, and which are not part of an accessible route 
• Tree pruning
• Temporary decorative lighting (to be removed within 90 days of putting it up)
• Window replacement, like-in-kind