Frequently Asked Questions

San Juan County has adopted the state building codes and has adopted some amendments to them.  This list of Design Criteria will help professionals correctly determine how to design structures built in our our area.

International Residential Code as amended by the state: IRC

International Building Code: IBC

WA state Building code council: SBCC.wa.gov

SJCC: San Juan County codes

First determine if the proposed work requires a permit. SJC has a list of items that are exempt from permitting. Additionally we offer some insight for pre-application assistance.

If your project does require a permit, find permit applications here.

If you are ready to apply for your permit, please create an account and apply using the Online Permit Center.

WA state amended building codes for building code questions.

San Juan County Code for development and land use questions.

If you have exhausted your search and still need help ask here:

Ask a Question/Request Assistance

Site plans are required for nearly all permits in San Juan County. A site plan shows a bird's eye view of the parcel, and the proposed work on that parcel, so the reviewer can judge if it conforms to various regulations.

Items to check on a site plan:

1. Distance to property lines for setbacks, or fire separation.

2. Accurately measure square footage of building footprints, decks, roofs, driveways etc.

3. Show All other structures on the parcel for counting density for Land use/Zoning regulations.

4. Show wells, and or septic system components and piping. (Water and Sewer)

5. Show location of LPG tanks and piping, including equipment like generators or fuel tanks for fire separation requirements.

You do not need to be a surveyor, or architect to be able to draw a site plan, but you will need to provide a clear drawing TO SCALE that shows us all the required information. See requirements below.

For Single trade permits like a Mechanical, or Plumbing permit, or Deck Demo and Re-roofs, a simple site plan will suffice. See instructions here: SIMPLE SITE PLAN INSTRUCTIONS

On all other projects we require that you submit a comprehensive site plan. Instructions and details here: Site plan and instructions

1. Standard Residential Building permit: Most common permit type for Single Family Residence (SFR) built using the International Residential Building Code (IRC). This will cover a one- or two-family residence, or accessory structure up to 35 feet in height and 3 stories tall. Standard building and energy codes apply.

2. Commercial Building permit:  This permit involves new construction AND changes in occupancy from one class to another for commercial uses like: offices, mercantile, assembly, retail,  or storage. ALL occupancy classes will be governed by the International BUILDING Code (IBC) and Washington state commercial energy code.

3. Remodel/Addition permit: Typically this type of permit covers major changes to an existing structure, or expansion of the existing footprint. 

4. Plumbing/Mechanical permit, or Single trade: Relatively simple projects such as installing a LPG tank, heater, furnace or water heater, are also referred to as "single trade" projects. Typically such projects only require a Plumbing or Mechanical permit. If you are adding square footage, or remodeling a house, you must apply for a standard building permit (Residential or Commercial)

5. Demolition ("Demo") permit: Used when one wants to remove a structure completely. Demo permits are required to remove the structure from the tax assessor’s inventory. Moved structures require Demo permits.

6. Relocation permit: Used when moving an existing approved building to a new location, even when on the same lot. Permission to move on County roads is required. Moving a structure requires permitting and approval PRIOR to placing it at a new location.

7. Revision: Permit to revise or change scope of work from approved plans. Revisions are required when adding additional square feet, increasing the height of a building, siting the building at a different location on the same lot, changing number of bedrooms or egress, or adding fixtures not previously approved. Changing the construction of the building, like changing roof type, or revised engineering, requires new plan review.

8. Owner Builder permits (for occupied structures)  and Owner Builder Exemptions (for non-occupied structures): San Juan County is unique in that we offer a different permit type which allows an owner to build their own structures under certain circumstances. There are some restrictions; please refer to the San Juan County code for details.

Applications can be found here: Permit applications.

Our permit packets contain a list of items that are needed for a complete submittal. It's nearly impossible to create a comprehensive list of items for every different scenario. However, the list shown in each application packet will guide you when you are ready to upload and submit your application. (some permit applications are currently undergoing changes due to recent code updates, and we update them regularly on our website. Be sure you are using the most current version, and include all the relevant documents when applying.pre-application assistance page provides some drawing examples if you need help.

There is a checklist that may also guide you for compiling your documents.

San Juan County has switched to a paperless system for, applying, issuing, and tracking permits. ALL permit applications are handled through the SmartGov permit portal.

Here are some handy links and instructions:

1. Create a login on the portal and verify email/password
2. Download application from our website, link below
3. Fill out the application and save to your computer (Applications are undergoing changes, fillable forms will be available soon)
   
4. Create a new *submittal on the portal (*permit application)
5. Upload your documents to the portal (all items needed for your permit type are listed in the submittal area of your permit and vary by permit type).
6. Pay any Plan review fees to start the review process (some permits don’t require a fee upfront)
7. DCD staff will review the submittal shortly and update you if more information is needed.

 County Portal:

 https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home

DCD webpage home:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/312/Community-Development

Applications:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/981/Building-Permit-Applications

Pre App assistance and info:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/1301/Pre-Application-Assistance

Buildings exempt from permits: 

https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/998/Structures-Exempt-From-Building-Permits

Policies:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/635/Policies

WSEC: new changes for 2018 you’ll need to be aware of!

http://www.energy.wsu.edu/BuildingEfficiency/EnergyCode.aspx 

http://www.energy.wsu.edu/videos/wsec_2018-residential/

Free IRC/IBC access to codes:

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2015

Upcodes.com - Free access

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Here are the instructions for signing up on the public portal for your permit 

You only need to do this one time to connect your account with all of your permits. This will allow you to access your permit, pay fees online, and schedule inspections.  Detailed instructions below:

If you are SIGNING UP,

1)     GO TO: https://co-sanjuan-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home and click on “sign up” 

2)       Enter your e-mail address and a password:

3)       You will receive a verification link in your e-mail.

4)      Click on the “Verify” button to verify your e-mail address. 

5)      Return to the browser

6)      Log out and log back in again.  

Many functions are available on the portal:

APPLYING FOR PERMITS(No access code required, but if you already have one, please use it to avoid multiple accounts and inability to view all permits together. Each account has a unique portal access code, do not give yours out. Contact DCD@sanjuanco.comfor your code AFTER you have signed up.)

1)      Click on MY PORTAL to apply, view permits, or request inspections etc.

2)      Click on Apply Online

3)      Select Category: Building, Land Use, or Fire Marshal (Addressing falls under the category of Building) (ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS WILL FALL UNDER ‘BUILDING SUBMITTAL’, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY LISTED). You can choose “REVISION” if you are updating an existing active permit. Expired permits must be renewed, or re-applied for.

4)      Select Application: Select the type of application you are applying for. 

5)      Click “Next”

6)      Enter the owner last name as the project name and provide a brief description of your project, click “Next” again

7)      Begin entering the Address of your project. You will need to make a selection from the entries that populate below. If your address is not selected to enter and you write it in entirely, it will not allow you to proceed. (If this happens, either e-mail dcd@sanjuanco.comor call 360-378-2354.) Once entered properly, click “Next”

8)      If you don’t have an address, click on the tiny link towards the bottom right of the frame that reads: I want to enter a parcel # instead. and enter in the same manner as described in 7 above. Then click “Next” (If you don’t know your parcel number, you may need to search this on Polaris https://sjcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=39b87792947e40a5aa0fcb8af5910bd1.)

9)      Follow through the prompts and complete the forms as you move forward.

10)  Once complete, you will need to upload your application materials by scrolling down to the “Submittals” section and clicking on the hyper-link under Documents Received (this will be a “0” if nothing has been uploaded.)

To pay fees:

1. Click on Pay Online
2. Click on the “Add” button to move the fee to your Cart
3. Click on Proceed to Checkout to complete the payment process.

To upload files, you’ll click on “Applications” and then “My Applications” (THIS APPLIES TO ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND FOUND DEFICIENT.)

1. Click on the blue permit number
2. Scroll down to the “Submittals” section (look for PENDING status)
3. Click on the blue link that shows “0 Files”
   • 

4. Click on the “Upload” button
5. Navigate to your file and upload, you can upload more than 1 document for each submittal type.
6. DEFERRED files: you can upload if you have it, but it’s not required to move permit forward in review at this time. (for example, not all buildings need engineering, but if you have it, then upload it.
7. REQUIRED: in order to move your permit through the process, ALL REQUIRED SUBMITTALS NEED TO BE UPLOADED.
8. Versions: the initial uploaded document is version 1. Any subsequent revised ones, are version 2,3,4 etc. Some items get rejected and we’ll ask you to upload a second version.
9. Status: In review: we are looking at this still. Pending: Nothing uploaded yet. Deficient: Not approved, needs changes. Approved. You are good to go!

To request inspections ,from home, click on “Applications” and then “My Applications” and select your active permit (permits with fees owing, or expired permits will not let you schedule an inspection. Check with SJC DCD for payment, or pay via the portal.

1. Click “Request” for the inspection you need
2. Enter the date and a time slot (also add any comments you have regarding the inspection)
3. Click on “Request Inspection”
4. To view the inspection schedule the morning of your inspection, click on “Applications” and scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the calendar. 

To view inspection results, :

              Pick your permit from the list and click on it. Scroll down to ‘inspections’ area below. You’ll see inspections available, completed, and some that need re-inspection.  All inspections that have been done, regardless of status, will have an inspection report available for you to download and view. Click on the small black note with the dog eared corner.

              Your results will download, and you can open the .pdf to view the info.

APPLYING FOR BURN PERMITS(No access code required, but if you already have one, please use it.)

1)      Click on Apply online:

2)      Select Category:  Fire Marshal

4)      Select Application type:  Burn Permit – Residential Online (only available certain times of the year due to burn bans) or Commercial

5)      Click “Next”

6)      You don’t need to fill in the fields on the next page, click “Next” again

7)      Enter the Address where you will be burning and select from the entries that populate below and click “Next”

8)      If you don’t have an address, click on the link towards the bottom of the frame that says “enter a parcel #” and enter your parcel number, select the parcel below, and click “Next”  (If you don’t know your parcel number, you may need to search this on Polaris https://sjcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=39b87792947e40a5aa0fcb8af5910bd1.)

9)      Enter the name of your island and then you must be able to answer “YES” to each of the five questions, then click “Next”.

10)  Review the permit input and if all is correct, click “Next”

Making Payment(The fee populates as $18.00 to accommodate the $2 transaction fee.)

1. Click on Click on Pay Online
2. Click on the “Add” button to move the fee to your Cart
3. Click on Proceed to Checkout to complete the payment process.
4. Once complete you will receive an email from smartgovcommunity.com

Printing your Permit– (required to have onsite when burning)

1. Click on the permit link in the e-mail from smartgovcommunity.com, this will take you to your permit online
2. Click on the “Generate Permit PDF” link in the upper right of the permit frame
3. Click “OK” on the Report Filters page
4. Print and sign the permit and keep onsite when burning

Vacation rental COMPLIANCE INSTRUCTIONS(No access code required, but if you already have one, please use it.)

1)      From the home page, click on “Applications”. 

2)      Click on “Apply Online”

3)      For Category select “Land Use”

4)      For  Application select “Vacation Rental Certificate of Compliance”

5)      Follow prompts and answer the questions

6)       When you come to the page that reads “License Status: Pending,” scroll down to the Submittals section, click on the hyperlink after “VACATION RENTAL RULES OF CONDUCT” and upload your document.  (These will be reviewed at the end of the year

Fees can be paid on the portal, or by mailing in a check. Fees paid on the portal are charged an additional small processing fee.

For mailing checks send to:

DCD

PO BOX 947

Friday Harbor, WA. 98250

Be sure to reference the permit number and or a Tax Parcel number.

Once paid, our staff will process the payment and issue permits etc. There is a delay when processing, please be patient. Contact our office for help 360-378-2354

SmartGov permit software shows the status of your permit on the portal.  Your permit will not be issued until all departments finish their review. The status of the permit can be seen in the 'APPROVAL STEPS' section.Login, check the permit from the list, and click on it. Scroll down to the steps, and you can see the status of each department.

It is highly recommended that you check the status of your permit here before calling or emailing staff. The time spent responding to your inquiry is better spent actually reviewing the work. Thank you for your understanding.

It will also show you the status of the submittal items, the date of approval and whether the item is required or not.

4. Click on the “Upload” button
5. Navigate to your file and upload, you can upload more than 1 document for each submittal type.
6. DEFERRED files: you can upload if you have it, but it’s not required to move permit forward in review at this time. (for example, not all buildings need engineering, but if you have it, then upload it.
7. REQUIRED: in order to move your permit through the process, ALL REQUIRED SUBMITTALS NEED TO BE UPLOADED.
8. Versions: the initial uploaded document is version 1. Any subsequent revised ones, are version 2,3,4 etc. Some items get rejected and we’ll ask you to upload a second version.
9. Status: In review: we are looking at this still. Pending: Nothing uploaded yet. Deficient: Not approved, needs changes. Approved. You are good to go!

After all the review has been completed, you will be notified that your permit is ready. DCD staff will contact you and verify contact information, contractor information, and collect fees.

Once your fees have been paid, the Approved permit documents will be uploaded to the portal under the "PUBLIC NOTICES" area for you to download and print. Please PRINT FULL SIZE and retain these documents on site for the inspection process.

If you have outstanding renewal fees, you will not be able to request an inspection.   

You can use the permitting portal to request an inspection.  Click the blue button under 'My Portal'.  Login, pick your permit, scroll down to the inspection you want, and click request. 

To request by phone, call 360-378-6270.  Please be sure to speak clearly, have a good cell signal, or call from a landline.  You must include the permit number, type of inspection, date requested, island, contact name and phone number.  

A certificate of occupancy is granted upon the successful completion of all approved work on a project. Projects that consist of only mechanical and/or plumbing work do not get a certificate of occupancy. Certificates are issued for projects involving commercial use.

Certificates for projects permitted in 2010 and after are available at the Online Permit Center.  Permits issued prior to 2010 often did not have a formal certificate of occupancy.  Other documentation of final approval served the function of the modern-day certificate.

Permits created since roughly 2010 will have a formal certificate of occupancy; occupancy was approved in different ways for pre-2010 permits and projects.  Often the permit card showing final approval was the only recognition that the project was completed; if an inspection form shows occupancy approval, this is also used in place of modern-day certificates.  

You can request a search for such documentation by submitting a public records request here.   Not all records for any particular project were retained in County collections.

San Juan County has amended the Building codes and imposed a 5 year lifespan on permits. If your project is not COMPLETE within 5 years, your permit will expire. In addition, you must pay yearly renewal fees, and have inspections yearly.

Delays in construction will  cause your permit to expire: Per SJCC 15.04.070

7. IBC Section 105.5 (Expiration) is amended to read as follows:           

Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within 1 year after its issuance or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 1 year after the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, extension of time, for a period of one (1) additional year. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.

8. IBC Section 105.5.1 (Expiration) is added to read as follows:           

At the end of 60 months after issuance of a building permit, if construction has started but is not complete as evidenced by the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the permit shall expire. To finish work not completed at the time of expiration, a new permit shall be applied for and obtained. The valuation of construction for permit fees shall be the valuation of construction remaining that has not been inspected. The building official may authorize a single 12 month extension of the permit upon review of written request for such extension.

Renewal fees are due yearly on the anniversary of the date of the issuance. It is your responsibility to renew your permit, or it will also expire. Inspections cannot be scheduled until renewal fees have been made current. Contact our office for renewals, or pay renewal fees on the portal.

Expiration of permits, requires that you renew your permit by re-applying, and paying fees. All renewal applications are subject to any new codes in effect at the time of application (completed application) Fees will be subject to current fee schedule, and work not complete will be required to be paid for again.

San Juan County offers an Owner Builder permit (for dwellings), and Owner Builder exemptions (for uninhabited structures). Adopted by SJCC under Chapter 15.04.540, these permits have restrictions on the permit requirements.

In essence, they are exempt from the structural parts of the current IRC/IBC codes and are only inspected for Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy code, life safety and fire requirements etc. See the code for the exact restrictions.

Be aware that only natural persons can apply, not corporations or LLCs. There are restrictions on how often you may use this permit type.  There are also restrictions on recording notices to title which may affect future sales and financing of the property. Also, life safety inspections are required when the property is rented, or sold.

San Juan County Requires permits for burning yard waste or natural vegetation. There are some restrictions, and a small fee is required. Instructions and a printable form can be found here; apply using the Online Permit Center.