Shed Permit in Clark County, Washington
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Sheds over 200 sq ft; any size shed in mobile home parks or multi-family zones
Issued byClark County Community Development, Building Safety
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Garden sheds and similar accessory structures of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit in unincorporated Clark County but must meet setback and easement requirements. Sheds larger than 200 square feet require a building permit, and any size shed built in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires one. County standards also allow one qualifying shed per property in side or rear setbacks of single-family zones when it is under 12 feet tall, under 200 square feet, and has no utilities connected.
Typical threshold: Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Sheds over 200 sq ft; any size shed in mobile home parks or multi-family zones
What a shed permit costs in Clark County
How Clark County compares in Washington
Across the Washington jurisdictions we have verified, the same threshold runs from 120 to 200, so a project that is exempt here may still need a permit one county over.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | It depends | detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit |
| Clark Countythis page | It depends | Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit. |
| King County | It depends | storage sheds 200 sq ft or less as accessory to a residential house do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; sheds over 200 sq ft require a permit |
| Pierce County | It depends | One-story detached accessory structure used as an unheated tool or storage shed, playhouse, or similar use is exempt if its floor area is 200 sq ft or less and it is at least 3 feet from a property line; larger or closer structures require a building permit. |
| Seattle | It depends | one-story detached storage sheds with a roof footprint of 120 square feet or less on a slab foundation and not in an environmentally critical area do not require a permit |
| Snohomish County | It depends | one-story detached accessory structure not used for human habitation (tool/storage shed, playhouse) exempt if floor area is 200 sq ft or less and sidewalls 9 ft or less inside the Urban Growth Area (UGA), or 400 sq ft or less and sidewalls 11 ft or less outside the UGA; larger structures require a building permit |
| Tacoma | It depends | one-story detached accessory structures with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Washington
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Clark County's 200 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana, floor area of a detached accessory structure
- Clark County, Nevada, sheds over 200 sq ft require a building permit; storage sheds 200 sq ft or under may be exempt under Building Administrative Code Section 22.02.190
- Columbus, Ohio, shed under 200 sq ft does not require a permit; shed 200 sq ft or larger requires a permit and plan review
How to apply in Clark County
In Clark County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- For Clark County, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- For Clark County, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Clark County Community Development, Building Safety sets the exact checklist for Clark County.
Where to apply in Clark County:
Clark County Community Development, Building Safety
- Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660
- Phone: 564.397.2375
- Email: permitservices@clark.wa.gov
Shed Permit in Clark County compared with nearby Washington localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Washington schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | It depends | Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... | |
| Bellevue | It depends | detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit | No separate shed line item | |
| King County | It depends | storage sheds 200 sq ft or less as accessory to a residential house do not require a building permit in unincorporated King County; sheds over 200 sq ft require a permit | Most permit fees increased approximately 14% on January 1 2026 plus a $126 application... | |
| Pierce County | It depends | One-story detached accessory structure used as an unheated tool or storage shed, playhouse, or similar use is exempt if its floor area is 200 sq ft or less and it is at least 3 feet from a property line; larger or closer structures require a building permit. | Building permit fee follows PCC Table 17C.10-1-B (valuation based): $69.00 for... | |
| Seattle | It depends | one-story detached storage sheds with a roof footprint of 120 square feet or less on a slab foundation and not in an environmentally critical area do not require a permit | Sheds of 120 square feet or less that are single story, unattached, and storage-only... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Clark County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection in Clark County: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection in Clark County: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection in Clark County: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- In Clark County: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Clark County permit portal or by phone at 564.397.2375.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Clark County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit. Usually needed: Sheds over 200 sq ft; any size shed in mobile home parks or multi-family zones.
- Budget the fee. Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the application process; Clark County Code Title 6 governs application and service fees. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Clark County, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Clark County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Clark County Community Development, Building Safety. Phone: 564.397.2375. Address: Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, WA 98660.
- Plan for inspections. In Clark County, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Clark County?
- Garden sheds and similar accessory structures of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit in unincorporated Clark County but must meet setback and easement requirements. Sheds larger than 200 square feet require a building permit, and any size shed built in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires one. County standards also allow one qualifying shed per property in side or rear setbacks of single-family zones when it is under 12 feet tall, under 200 square feet, and has no utilities connected. Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Clark County?
- Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the application process; Clark County Code Title 6 governs application and service fees. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Clark County?
- You can apply through the Clark County permit portal or contact the Clark County Community Development, Building Safety directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Clark County?
- Under Washington law (RCW 18.27.090(11), (12); RCW 19.28.261(1); RCW 18.106.150(1)): Washington lets homeowners do their own construction work, including the licensed trades, on property they own. RCW 18.27.090(12) exempts any person working on his or her own property from contractor registration, but the exemption does not apply if you do contractor type work for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property, and the separate owner exemption in RCW 18.27.090(11) is lost if you sell or lease improved property owned less than 12 months. For electrical work, RCW 19.28.261 lets you wire your own residence, farm, or place of business without an electrician license, unless the work is on construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease, or on property offered for sale within 12 months after you obtained it. RCW 18.106.150(1) gives the same kind of exemption for plumbing work at your own residence, farm, or place of business. These exemptions waive the license, not the permit: an owner doing electrical work still buys an L&I electrical work permit and passes inspection (WAC 296-46B-901), and building and plumbing permits still come from your local building department. Confirm how Clark County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Clark County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Exempt only if the deck does not exceed 200 square feet, is not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, is not attached to a dwelling, does not serve a required exit door, and is not used for a hot tub or pool; all other decks require a permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Electrical work in Washington requires a permit and inspection, with a few exceptions listed in chapter 296-46B-901 WAC; in unincorporated Clark County electrical permits are issued by state Labor and Industries, not the county. | No county fee |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Fences seven feet or less in height do not require a permit; fences over 7 feet in height require a Fence/Retaining Wall (FRT) permit. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Mechanical permits cover installation of heating and cooling equipment such as furnaces, heat pumps, A/C units, ductless mini splits and gas piping; for additions and new construction this work is included in the ADS or NHC permit. | Application rev 1.30.23: $94 issuance plus per-appliance fees including furnace or heat... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Patio and concrete slabs on the ground grade are exempt from permit but may not be built on easements; adding a patio cover or enclosing a covered patio requires a building permit under the ADS permit type. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | A plumbing permit is required for installation of any plumbing fixtures, including water heaters, toilets and sinks. | Application rev 9.2.25: $94 issuance plus per-item fees including plumbing fixture/trap... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | A permit is required for any structure intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains water over 24 inches deep, including in-ground, aboveground and on-ground pools, hot tubs and spas. | Fees are established by county ordinance and calculated automatically during the... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Re-roofing permits are required for all buildings in Clark County; a separate permit may be required if structural work such as replacing roof sheathing is necessary. | County handout rev 7.16.18: residential re-roofing permit $220 plus $94 issuance and... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Separate SOL permits are required for ground mounted units or panels mounted on existing buildings; in new construction the solar panels are included in the NHC or ADS permit. | Fees for separate SOL permits are based on construction value |
Shed Permit in other Washington localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Clark County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
- IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC
- IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC
How this shed permit page for Clark County was verified. 3 official sources: clark.wa.gov, clark.wa.gov, clark.wa.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Clark County Community Development, Building Safety. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Shed Permit requirements across Washington localities
Washington rule changes