In Development Services, we review and issue permits for construction projects, like new houses, kitchen remodels or furnace installations, and land use decisions, like placing a school in a neighborhood or dividing a property into multiple parcels.
Paperless Permitting
Our permitting process is 100% paperless. We offer 24/7 online permitting services at MyBuildingPermit.com. You can apply online, check permit status and request inspections.
Learn more about our online permitting services.
Permit Types
All permits fall into two basic categories: Those that require plan review and those that don't. The permit type depends on the project's scope of work and complexity.
Plan Review Permits
We need to review plans for your project, which means you must submit plans along with your application. Examples of plan review permits include projects for new construction and land use approvals.
- Upload PDFs of your plans at MyBuildingPermit.
- You will be billed for your submittal fees, which can be paid online with a Visa or MasterCard.
No Plan Review Permits
We issue the permit the same day you apply. You do not need to submit plans or drawings with your application. We will inspect the work permitted when you request your inspection. Apply and pay for your permit online through MyBuildingPermit.
Permit Process Flowchart
This flowchart shows the basic permit process steps for plan review and no-plan review permits. The process begins with applying for a permit.
Click to enlarge the flowchart.
Explore more about our permit process by reviewing the steps below.
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Step 1
- Apply for Permit
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All permit applications must be submitted online at MyBuildingPermit.com. Paper applications will not be accepted.
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Step 2
- Determine if Plan Review is Required
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If yes, move to Step 3) Submit Plans.
If no, move to Step 7) Issue Permit.
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Step 3
- Submit Plans (If Required)
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- Submit PDFs of all plans and project documents online at MyBuildingPermit.com. Paper plans will not be accepted.
- Pay a portion of your permit fees.
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Step 4
- Review Plans
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- We review your plans and project documents to ensure that your project is aligned to our codes.
- We may ask for additional information or revisions to your plans if we determine they are not aligned to code.
- See our target timeline report.
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Step 5
- Changes to Plans
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If yes, move to Step 6) Submit Revised Plans.
If no, move to Step 7) Issue Permit.
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Step 6
- Submit Revised Plans
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If you change the scope or design of your project or receive notification from us that your plans need to be revised, then you will submit revisions to us the same way you applied.
- Online at MyBuildingPermit: Upload your revised plans and project documents through your My Building Permit plan review dashboard.
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Step 7
- Issue Permit
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Once we determine your plans and project documents are aligned with the codes, we will issue you a permit and copy of the approved plans (for construction permits) or we will issue you a decision (for land use permits).
For construction permits, you will need to provide your contractor's Washington State contractor license and Bellevue business license prior to issuance.Your permit will be issued to you online at MyBuildingPermit:
- We will send you an invoice via email and ask that you pay online through MyBuildingPermit. (Note: You may also pay in person at City Hall, via mail or by phone, but your permit will be issued electronically online.)
- Once we receive your payment, we will upload a PDF of your permit and approved plans or decision to your MyBuildingPermit plan review dashboard.
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Step 8
- Option A) Archive Project (if submitted)
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- We keep a copy of all approved plans and project documents.
- You can request copies of the approved plans and project documents by submitting a public records request.
- Option B) Inspect Project
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Inspections are the next step in ensuring that your project is constructed to life and safety standards and codes.
- Submit your inspection requests online or by phone.
- Some projects require a preconstruction inspection. This means you must have an inspection before you begin work. Check the conditions of your permit for this requirement.
- Some projects require a Certificate of Occupancy
- See our Inspection Checklists and Construction Tip Sheets for additional information.
- Submit your inspection requests online or by phone.
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Step 9
- Project Changes During Construction
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If the scope or design of your project changes during construction, go back to Step 6) Submit Revised Plans and submit your revised plans to us for review.
- We will review the changes to ensure they are aligned to codes and then issue those changed plans to you.
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Step 10 (Final Step)
- Receive Final Inspection Approval
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Throughout the permit process, you can check your permit status at MyBuildingPermit. Permit history at property locations is also available on the status site.