City of Lake Stevens, WA

Common application types

• Residential Building Permit
• Commercial Building Permit
• Commercial Tenant Improvement
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
• Demolition Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Revision Application (Multi-purpose)
• Pre-Application Conference

New homes and additions

The residential checklist requires a site plan and a single combined PDF of foundation, floor, roof, elevation, cross-section and detail plans, plus the energy code form, structural calculations if applicable, and a special inspections agreement if the design professional requires one. A geotechnical report is required for steep slopes and/or lots not part of a plat. A SWPPP plan and/or report is required at 2,000 square feet of new or replaced hard surface or 7,000 square feet of land disturbance.

ADUs and middle housing

Under LSMC 14.44.045, two ADUs are allowed on lots with a single-family home, duplex, triplex or townhome, attached, detached or both, with a gross floor area between 250 and 1,000 square feet. Each ADU requires one off-street parking space, its own building permit application and checklist, and a Sewer Availability Letter; renting or selling an ADU separately requires an additional land use segregation process. The City states it has taken early actions to expand housing options including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, ADUs and multifamily housing, but a specific HB 1110 implementing ordinance was not identified on the pages reviewed.

Decks, retaining walls and accessory structures

Retaining walls are permit exempt only if under 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing, and not supporting a surcharge; permitted walls often require a Special Inspections Agreement. Garage, carport, deck and shed submittals use a shorter plan set of foundation, floor, roof, elevation and cross-section details. Since March 15, 2024 (Ordinance 1160), lightweight re-roofing and like-for-like window replacement are exempt from residential building permits.

Commercial tenant improvements and change of use

Commercial tenant improvements are submitted through Citizens Connect with a code summary (occupancy, occupant load, egress and IEBC modification level), floor plans with barrier-free compliance, energy forms and structural calculations if applicable. Snohomish County Health approval is required for schools, churches, restaurants, groceries, hospitals and assisted living occupancies.

Land use review

Land use applications are processed by type (Type I, Type II and higher) under LSMC 14.16A. Pre-application conferences, held under LSMC 14.16A.220(d), are highly recommended for Type II and above and are typically scheduled 3 to 4 weeks after materials are submitted; feedback is preliminary, non-binding and does not vest the project.

Corrections and review

Staff complete the completeness review typically within 3 business days, depending on workload and staffing. Revisions are filed using the multi-purpose Revision Application. Per the residential application, an application expires if the permit is not obtained within 180 days.

Tips from SASHKOV

• Upload flattened PDFs under 200 MB, in landscape orientation except the site plan and SWPPP, named per the checklist; misnamed files may be rejected at intake.
• Submit a separate building permit application and checklist for each ADU.
• Print the approved permit packet, including stamped plans, from the Attachments section and keep it on site for inspections.

Where to apply

Permitting authority: Planning and Community Development (Permit Center). Online submittals: Citizens Connect.