Pre-Application Assistance

Critical Areas & Pre-Applications

See our Critical Area page for information, to request a critical area and archaeology review, and more. Email general requests with 'Critical Area Review request for TPN 123456789000' in the subject line.

Helpful links

• Important notice to applicants
• Use the Permit Fee Calculators for estimates of building permit fees. The Calculators give ballpark amounts that are subject to change. No fees will be taken at the time of submission. All payments received will be returned. A complete review of the application will be performed, and notice will be sent within 28 days from submittal requesting review fees.  
• View the full DCD Fee Schedule.

Drawing examples

• Site Plan Instructions
• Site Plan
  
• SIMPLE site plan instructions for single trade permits
• Site Section (Site Profile)
• Construction Drawings
• SJC road requirements and turnaround info
• SJC Fire apparatus turn around info

Converting a garage to living space

• Code Requirements

Prepare forms before you submit

 The following information and assistance is provided to help you with your permit application:  

• The checklist that DCD staff uses to determine a complete building permit application is available for your reference.
• Existing septic and water information is now available online.  Water and septic applications and fees go directly to the Health Department at PO Box 607, Friday Harbor, WA  98250.
• Determine land use and shoreline designation information and parcel numbers for your property using Polaris Mapping software.  You will need to tailor "Map Contents" to add various layers of information.
• There are Structures Exempt from Building Permits; however, they are not exempt from critical areas or archaeology requirements.  If you have any questions about whether your property is subject to critical areas or archaeology requirements, please visit the Critical Areas Information page.

When you are ready to submit:

Be ready to provide an estimated valuation of your project.  This includes materials and labor, such as electrical, gas, fixtures, cabinetry, mechanical and plumbing equipment, and permanent systems. The valuation does not include the land, septic, or water systems.

  For Building Permits:

• ALL Building permit applications are submitted online via the SJC Permit Center.
• Building permit fees are determined by valuation of the building. A portion of the total fee (known as the plan review fee)  is due at submittal.  The remainder of the fee is due upon issuance of the permit. 
• When review is complete and the permit is ready to issue, the final building permit valuation will be set by the building official, to determine the remainder of the fees due for issuance.  You will be notified of the total fee amount when your permit is ready to issue.  

For Land Use Permits:

• There is a checklist of additional information required for each type of land use project.
• Fees for land use applications are due at the time of application.