Patio Permit in Snohomish County, Washington
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Before building a patio cover larger than the exempt size, or any patio structure attached to the house, in unincorporated Snohomish County
Issued bySnohomish County Planning and Development Services
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
In unincorporated Snohomish County an open, at-grade patio is treated the same as an exempt sidewalk or driveway and does not require a building permit. A freestanding patio cover not attached to another structure is also exempt if its floor area is 200 square feet or less inside the Urban Growth Area or 400 square feet or less outside it. Patio covers larger than that, or attached to the dwelling in a way that affects structure, require a building permit applied for through the PDS Permit Portal.
Typical threshold: open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before building a patio cover larger than the exempt size, or any patio structure attached to the house, in unincorporated Snohomish County
What your patio permit must meet in Washington
Washington's 2021 Residential Code (WAC 51-51, effective statewide March 15, 2024) carries no mandatory statewide construction standard for patio covers: the model code's patio-cover appendix applies only where a city or county specifically adopts it, so patio-cover build requirements are set locally.
- Appendices to the Washington State Residential Code, including the model code's patio-cover appendix, are not part of the statewide default: an appendix applies only if a local jurisdiction's adopting ordinance specifically references it and the state building code council has approved that adoption (WAC 51-51-0102).
- Where a patio cover adjoins a habitable room and is used to satisfy that room's natural-light requirement, state code requires an openable area between the room and the patio cover of not less than one-tenth of the interior room's floor area, with a 20 square foot minimum (WAC 51-51-0303, R303).
Based on 2021 Washington State Residential Code (WAC 51-51), based on the 2021 IRC. Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What a patio permit costs in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares in Washington
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Clark County | 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. |
| King County | It depends | at-grade patios and uncovered decks 30 inches or less above ground are exempt; covered patios and taller structures require a building permit |
| Pierce County | It depends | At-grade patios, treated the same as exempt sidewalks and driveways, are exempt if not more than 30 inches above grade at any point and not over any story or basement below; an attached, roofed patio cover requires a building permit regardless of size. |
| Seattle | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Snohomish Countythis page | It depends | open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit |
| Tacoma | It depends | at-grade flatwork such as sidewalks and driveways is exempt from a building permit, though separate site-development permits can apply; covered patios require a building permit |
Closest patio permit thresholds outside Washington
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Snohomish County's 200 sq ft.
- Corpus Christi, Texas, Every attached patio cover or carport needs a permit regardless of size; a detached patio cover or carport needs one once it is larger than 200 square feet.
- Dallas, Texas, detached patio covers of 200 sq ft or less on single-family or duplex premises are exempt; attached patio covers and those over 200 sq ft require a permit
- Eugene, Oregon, roofed patio or porch cover supported by an exterior building wall
- Gilbert, Arizona, Only one-story detached non-habitable accessory structures up to 200 square feet are exempt from permit; attached patio covers and larger structures require a building permit.
How to apply in Snohomish County
In Snohomish County, applying for a patio permit means submitting a site plan and framing plans for a roofed patio cover, since a cover is treated as its own permitted structure regardless of size. A plain concrete or paver patio slab at or near grade is, by contrast, often exempt from that same building permit requirement.
What most patio permit applications include:
- Filing a permit application with the local building department, which only the property owner or an authorized agent may sign, since a patio cover is treated as its own permitted structure regardless of size (IRC R105.1).
- For Snohomish County, a scaled site plan showing the new patio cover's size and location relative to the house and other existing structures, with dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is approved (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents such as a framing plan and elevation, showing rafter or beam sizes and spacing, the distance between supporting posts, and the method of attachment to the house, drawn with enough clarity for the building official to confirm the work will conform to the code (IRC R106.1).
- For the roof structure itself, plans showing compliance with the patio cover appendix's structural limits, such as adequate footing sizes for the applied post loads, since a shallow slab on grade may substitute for a deeper footing only in limited cases up to about 750 pounds of load per post (IRC Appendix AH, Section AH105.2).
- By contrast, an at grade concrete or paver patio that is not attached to the dwelling and stays within the code's small flatwork thresholds, similar to a sidewalk, driveway, or low deck under 200 square feet and 30 inches high, commonly needs no building permit at all, so none of the plan review steps above apply (IRC R105.2).
General submittal guidance from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Sections R105 and R106, with Appendix AH Patio Covers (named Appendix H in the 2012, 2015, and 2018 editions). Source. Snohomish County Planning and Development Services sets the exact checklist for Snohomish County.
Where to apply in Snohomish County:
Snohomish County Planning and Development Services
- 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201
- Phone: 425-388-3311
- Email: epermittech@snoco.org
Patio Permit in Snohomish County compared with nearby Washington localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Washington schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snohomish County | It depends | open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit | Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check... | |
| Bellevue | No permit needed | Not specified | No separate patio line item | |
| Clark County | 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... | |
| King County | It depends | at-grade patios and uncovered decks 30 inches or less above ground are exempt; covered patios and taller structures require a building permit | No separate patio line | |
| Pierce County | It depends | At-grade patios, treated the same as exempt sidewalks and driveways, are exempt if not more than 30 inches above grade at any point and not over any story or basement below; an attached, roofed patio cover requires a building permit regardless of size. | Attached patio covers use the same valuation based building permit fee as other building... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Snohomish County, a permitted patio cover follows the same footing, frame, and final inspection sequence used for any small accessory structure, since the posts and roof framing have to be checked before they are covered and again once the work is done. An at grade patio slab that qualifies as exempt flatwork usually needs no building inspection at all, because inspections only attach to work that required a permit in the first place.
- In Snohomish County: a footing inspection once the excavation, forms, and any reinforcing steel are in place but before concrete is poured, confirming the posts supporting a patio cover will bear on adequate footings (IRC R109.1.1).
- In Snohomish County: a frame inspection after the rafters, beams, posts, and any required rough in work are in place but before the roof sheathing or covering material conceals them, since a solid patio cover roof cannot be signed off once it is covered without this check (IRC R109.1.4).
- In Snohomish County: a final inspection once all permitted work, including roofing and post anchorage, is complete, which the code requires before the structure may be used (IRC R109.1.6).
- In Snohomish County: an at grade concrete or paver patio that qualifies as exempt flatwork under the permit rules is not subject to any of these inspection stages, since the inspection sequence only attaches to work that required a permit in the first place (IRC R105.2).
- In Snohomish County: each inspection has to be requested by the permit holder rather than happening automatically, and the approved plans and permit card need to be on site and available when the inspector arrives (IRC R109.3).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Snohomish County permit portal or by phone at 425-388-3311.
Inspection sequence from 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), Section R109 (Inspections). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Patio Permit checklist for Snohomish County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit. Usually needed: Before building a patio cover larger than the exempt size, or any patio structure attached to the house, in unincorporated Snohomish County.
- Budget the fee. Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check at the lowest valuation bracket, plus a $150 base fee per application, the $6.50 state surcharge and a 3% technology surcharge, per PDS Bulletin 18 effective 3/13/2026; unattached patio covers under 200 sq ft (400 outside an urban growth area) need no permit. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Snohomish County, applying for a patio permit means submitting a site plan and framing plans for a roofed patio cover, since a cover is treated as its own permitted structure regardless of size. A plain concrete or paver patio slab at or near grade is, by contrast, often exempt from that same building permit requirement. Start at the Snohomish County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. Phone: 425-388-3311. Address: 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201.
- Plan for inspections. In Snohomish County, a permitted patio cover follows the same footing, frame, and final inspection sequence used for any small accessory structure, since the posts and roof framing have to be checked before they are covered and again once the work is done. An at grade patio slab that qualifies as exempt flatwork usually needs no building inspection at all, because inspections only attach to work that required a permit in the first place.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a patio permit in Snohomish County?
- In unincorporated Snohomish County an open, at-grade patio is treated the same as an exempt sidewalk or driveway and does not require a building permit. A freestanding patio cover not attached to another structure is also exempt if its floor area is 200 square feet or less inside the Urban Growth Area or 400 square feet or less outside it. Patio covers larger than that, or attached to the dwelling in a way that affects structure, require a building permit applied for through the PDS Permit Portal. Open at-grade patios are treated as exempt sidewalks and driveways under SCC 30.50.103(1)(e) with no size limit; freestanding patio covers (roofed, not attached to another structure) are exempt only if 200 sq ft or less inside the UGA or 400 sq ft or less outside the UGA; larger or attached patio covers require a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a patio permit cost in Snohomish County?
- Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check at the lowest valuation bracket, plus a $150 base fee per application, the $6.50 state surcharge and a 3% technology surcharge, per PDS Bulletin 18 effective 3/13/2026; unattached patio covers under 200 sq ft (400 outside an urban growth area) need no permit. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a patio permit in Snohomish County?
- You can apply through the Snohomish County permit portal or contact the Snohomish County Planning and Development Services directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a patio permit themselves in Snohomish 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 Snohomish County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Snohomish 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 | uncovered decks, deck steps, and uncovered porches for residential buildings exempt if 30 inches or less above adjacent grade at any point, not over a basement or story below, and not part of a required accessible route; covered or taller decks require a permit | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No county fee |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences 8 feet or less in height exempt, provided they have no masonry or concrete elements above 6 feet (wire strands atop an 8-foot fence are excluded from the height measurement); taller fences, or fences with masonry/concrete above 6 feet, require a permit | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as a Mech/Plbg residential trade permit priced from the PDS valuation table... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Filed as a Mech/Plbg residential trade permit priced from the PDS valuation table... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated swimming pools regulated under the IRC (one- and two-family dwellings) exempt if less than 24 inches deep, with no gallon-volume cap; in-ground pools or pools 24 inches deep or more require a building permit | Priced from the PDS valuation table starting at a $45 permit fee plus $29.25 plan check... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | It depends | re-roof overlay or tear-off-and-replace of a residential roof exempt if limited to 2 total layers of roofing material, uses the same type of roofing material as the existing roof, and the roof sheathing is not removed or replaced; adding a layer beyond 2, changing material type, or replacing sheathing requires a permit | A like-for-like reroof limited to 2 layers with no sheathing removal needs no permit |
| Shed Permit | 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 | Base application fee $150 per application plus 3% technology surcharge and $6.50... |
| Solar Permit | It depends | ground-mounted residential solar PV systems never need a building or mechanical permit; roof-mounted residential PV on a detached single-family house is exempt from a building/mechanical permit only if total dead load is 3.5 lbs per sq ft or less (up to 4.5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 3:12 or steeper slope, or 5 lbs per sq ft for frameless panels on a 5:12 or steeper slope), panels are mounted 18 inches or less above the roof surface, and an electrical permit has already been issued; a separate electrical permit through WA L&I is always required regardless | Ground-mounted and qualifying roof-mounted residential solar PV need no county building... |
Patio 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 Snohomish County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this patio permit page for Snohomish County was verified. 2 official sources: snohomish.county.codes, snohomishcountywa.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Snohomish County Planning and Development Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Patio Permit requirements across Washington localities
Washington rule changes