This page offers a step-by-step permit and plan review guide to assist you through the permit process. It includes permit application instructions, guidance on how to submit plans, and information on hiring a contractor and scheduling inspections.
If you have never applied for a permit with the City of Bellevue and are unsure how to proceed, please contact our permit center. City staff will answer all your questions and work with you throughout the permit and plan review process.
A Predevelopment Services Review offers assistance early in the development process so you can receive help and feedback with your project before submitting a permit application.
Permit and Plan Review Guide
There are basically two kinds of permits. Those that require plan review and those that do not require plan review.
- If your permit does not require plan review, you can submit your application, pay your fees and receive your permit the same day. You do not need to submit plans or drawings with your application. Inspections will be required.
- If your permit requires plan review, you must submit plans along with your permit application. You will pay a portion of your permit fees when your application and plans are accepted. Your plans must be reviewed and approved before your permit can be issued. You may have to submit additional plans and documents throughout the review process. When your permit is issued, the remainder of your fees will be due.
Refer to Permit FAQs and Building Permit Requirements for guidance on when you need a permit.
Some projects that can require a permit include:
- Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Decks
- Furnace or Water Heater Replacement
- Remodel with no structural work
- Reroof
- Tree Removal
How Do I Apply For a Permit?
All permit applications are submitted through MyBuildingPermit.com. After you create an account, you will be able to apply for a permit. On this site you can also:
How to apply for a permit - no plan review required
- Go to MyBuildingPermit.com. Click on Apply for Permit.
- Log In to your customer account or create an account if you do not have one.
- Select Jurisdiction - use the drop-down menu to choose Bellevue.
- Click Start Application
- On the Application Information pages, choose the following:
- Application Type: Choose the type of permit you need for your project (building, electrical, fire, etc.)
- Project Type: Choose whether the project is for residential, non-residential or multifamily construction.
- Activity Type: Identify the type of work you are doing (new construction, remodel, roofing, etc).
- Scope of Work: Select the scope of the work (e.g., residence, accessory building, etc.).
- Click Continue
- Project Details - enter all pertinent information for the project. If you are unsure how to respond to any of the information requests, contact the permit center for assistance.
- Click Continue
- Application Summary - this page provides a project summary and indicates that your project will not require plan review.
- Click Continue
- Project Location - search for and select the address where the work will be performed.
- Click Continue and add any other permits that are associated with this project.
- Parcel Information - review and edit the information as necessary and add a contact phone number.
- Who Does the Work - indicate whether you have selected a contractor or are doing the work yourself.
- If you are hiring a contractor, enter the contractor’s Washington State license number. Any contractor conducting business in the City of Bellevue must be licensed by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries. The contractor must also obtain a Bellevue business license. Review our Contractor Registration Requirements for complete information on hiring a contractor.
- If you are doing the work yourself, read the Property Owner Certification Statement and click the Agree button.
- Applicant Information - verify that all the information is correct and click Continue.
- Review Application - read the Certification Statement and check the box that says I Agree. Choose an option to get another permit or click Done Applying.
- Navigate to your Cart and pay all associated permit fees.
- After your fees have been paid, you will receive an Order Confirmation.
- A pdf copy of your receipt and permit will be emailed to you within a few minutes. You can also access a copy of your permit on your Dashboard.
How to apply for a permit - plan review required
- Go to MyBuildingPermit.com. Click on Apply for Permit.
- Log In to your customer account or create an account if you do not have one.
- Select Jurisdiction - use the drop-down menu to choose Bellevue.
- Click Start Application
- On the Application Information pages, choose the following:
- Application Type: Choose the type of permit you need for your project (building, electrical, fire, etc.)
- Project Type: Choose whether the project is for residential, non-residential or multifamily construction.
- Activity Type: Identify the type of work you are doing (new construction, remodel, roofing, etc).
- Scope of Work: Select the scope of the work (e.g., residence, accessory building, etc.).
- Click Continue.
- Project Details - enter all pertinent information for the project. If you are unsure how to respond to any of the information requests, contact the permit center for assistance.
- Click Continue
- Application Summary - this page provides a project summary and indicates that your project requires plan review.
- Click Continue
- Application Instructions - this page includes the following information:
- A list of required plans and documents you must submit before your application can be accepted.
- A Submittal Requirement Information link. Access this link for the documents and plan instructions you will need to complete the required documents listed here.
- A link to a Document Waiver Form. If you feel that some of the required submittals do not apply to your project, complete this form and submit it in place of the requested document.
- Required Supplements and general information about processing your permit. You may view or save the information on this page as a pdf.
- Click Continue at the bottom of the page.
- Project Location - search for and select the address where the work will be performed.
- Click Continue and add any other permits that are associated with this project.
- Parcel Information - review and edit the information as necessary and add a contact phone number.
- Work Description - enter a project name and a description of the work that will be done.
- Who Does the Work - indicate whether you have selected a contractor, are going to hire a contractor but have not selected one yet, or you are doing the work yourself.
- If you are hiring a contractor, enter the contractor’s Washington State license number. Any contractor conducting business in the City of Bellevue must be licensed by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries. The contractor must also obtain a Bellevue business license. Review our Contractor Registration Requirements for complete information on hiring a contractor.
- If you are going to hire a contractor, but have not yet done so, read the Contractor Information statement and click Agree.
- If you are doing the work yourself, read the Property Owner Certification Statement and click Agree.
- Applicant Information - verify that all the information is correct and click Continue.
- Project Contact - complete all required fields with the primary contact information for the project and click Continue.
- Supplementals:
- Acknowledgement - use the drop-down menu to acknowledge the statement and click Next.
- Electronic Submittals – read and acknowledge the Electronic Submittals statement.
- Contractor and subcontractor information – Enter the contact information, state license number and Bellevue business license number of the contractors and subcontractors who will be working on the project, if known.
- City of Bellevue Staff Contact – enter the name of a city staff member you have been working with on your project, if any.
- File Upload - click Upload next to each document type. Note: All files should be in PDF format, less than 500 mb in size, and have a security setting that allows editing.
- Click Continue
- Review Application - you can review the application by clicking on any of the links to the left to revisit previous pages.
- Once you are ready to submit the application, click the check box to agree to the Certification Statement and click Done Applying. You will receive, via email, an order confirmation and details regarding the next steps in the process.
- Navigate to your cart and pay all associated invoices.
- When your plans are approved, you will receive an approved copy of all plans. At this time all remaining permit fees will be invoiced. After the fees have been paid, you will receive a copy of your permit on your Dashboard.
How Do I Know If I Need to Submit Plans?
The permit application process on MyBuildingPermit will indicate if plans are required before the application can proceed. If you would like to know if your project requires plan review before starting the permit process, contact our permit center.
Residential projects that require plan review include:
- Adding new square footage to your existing home
- Altering a load bearing wall
- Relocating, adding or increasing the structural load on a structural beam, column or footing
- Adding a second kitchen
- Adding or widening a window or door in an exterior wall
- Adding any new heated space, such as converting a garage into a room
- Installing, repairing, replacing or enlarging a deck where the highest walking surface is more than 30 inches above the ground.
- Building a garage or carport
- Performing an earthquake home retrofit
- Installing, removing or replacing a driveway.
How Do I Know What to Submit?
The application instructions on MyBuildingPermit will indicate which plans and documents you need to submit. Plan reviewers will work with you to help you submit the required plan information.
The menu list on this page contains links to each type of permit we issue. On these pages, you will find resources to help you submit required plans and documents for your specific project.
Plans will need to be submitted before your permit application can be accepted. Additional plans may be required before the permit can be issued.
How Do I Submit my Plans?
Plans should be uploaded to your dashboard on MyBuildingPermit. Review the Electronic Document Submittal Standards General Requirements and Increased Review Efficiency for instructions on submitting plans.
Hiring a Contractor
You, as the homeowner, can choose to do the work yourself. The work must be inspected and all applicable city and building codes must be followed.
Anyone you hire to do the work must be licensed by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries and have a Bellevue business license. Review our Contractor Registration Requirements for complete information on hiring a contractor.
Inspections
Inspections are required as the work is completed. You are responsible for scheduling all necessary inspections. A preconstruction meeting with your inspector is recommended before you start any work. Refer to our Inspections page for details on the inspection process.