FAQs
Planning and Community Development
Can I send a permit application by email?
For an application to be deemed complete and ready for processing, it must include a check for the applicable fee and an original signed hard copy of the application. At this time we are not accepting permit applications via email.
Where can I find out the status of a permit?
You may call (360)379-5095 for a status update. Please have your permit number or parcel number available.
You may also schedule your inspections through our online portal, which also allows you to see the status of your permit and the results of your inspection(s).
1) BUILDING: When do I need a building permit?
Most projects require a building permit, including some sheds. A structure is not exempt from a permit just based on its size, as other factors may trigger a permit. For residential projects, please see the document “When is a Building Permit Required?" for more information on permitting requirements and exemptions. Please note that even if a project is exempt from a building permit, it is still required to be in compliance with building code, all other city codes, and it must also meet setbacks.
See PTMC Section 16.04.070 for City amendments.
2) BUILDING: Are tiny homes allowed?
Yes, as of July 1, 2023 within the new code. Visit the tiny house on wheels (THOWS) webpage and view related documents and the Housing Solutions Network webinar to learn more before you build or purchase a THOW.
Other tiny homes are typical wood framed structures with minimal square footage, constructed on a permanent foundation and in accordance with the adopted building codes can be permitted in the City of Port Townsend. Any permanent structure built needs to provide all necessary elements to qualify as an approved residence. These elements include:
- Living space
- Means for cooking
- Sanitation
- Eating space
- Sleeping space
Alternate types of construction materials (other than wood and concrete) may be allowed if it can be proven that the materials used, and the overall design meets the requirements of the International Residential Code, the Washington Administration Code Amendments and the International Energy Conservation Code. Alternative methods and materials require an engineered design. Anyone considering this type of design on their project should contact Development Services Building Division prior to beginning design.
Minimum Room Size Requirements: Each dwelling unit shall have at least one habitable room that is 70 square feet in area with no dimension of the room area being less than 7 feet; to include height. *Kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, mechanical rooms, etc. are not considered habitable.
Other habitable rooms provided shall also be no less than 70 square feet, with no dimension of the room being less than 7 feet. Sanitation shall be provided, which includes bathtub or shower, toilet, and a sink. Rooms including these elements are sized accordingly to provide the appropriate clearances.
Recreational vehicles or RV’s are only permitted in campgrounds or RV parks. To see what constitutes as an RV, please visit the Labor and Industries website.
3) BUILDING: Can I convert a shipping container into livable space?
Please review Labor & Industries guidelines for using shipping container as buildings.
4) BUILDING: Does my Building Permit Application Expire?
Building Permit Applications expire 180 days after the date of filing. City Permit Technicians will contact you when your Building Permit is ready to pick up. If you think you need more time, contact our office before your application expires, an extension may be granted upon request for an additional 90 days. If your application expires you may need to pay additional fees to re-apply.
5) BUILDING: Does my Building Permit expire?
Building Permits expire 180 days after the permit is issued if there is no activity (building inspections) on the permit. When work is ready, and we perform an inspection the 180-day clock resets, you have 180 days before your permit expires. You can avoid violations or additional fees required to obtain a new Building Permit by contacting our office before your permit expires; an extension may be granted.
6) BUILDING: How do I figure the project valuation?
Enter the project valuation in the appropriate line on the Permit Application Form.
The permit valuation shall include the total value of the work for which a permit is being issued. This includes materials and labor for the permanent structure and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and gas, fire sprinkler and elevator systems and equipment. Permanent systems such as audiovisual, lighting and HVAC controls are included in the total as are expenses directly related to construction such as equipment rental and contractor fees. Costs such as architectural and engineering design fees, landscaping and planting, tap fees, development mitigation fees, trash removal, and cleaning are not included.
7) BUILDING: How do I figure the valuation if I am doing the work myself?
Values are to be determined by either a copy of the contractor’s contract OR, in the case there is no contractor, by using the total material cost and multiplying it by 2 OR, cost of material plus hours of “sweat equity” using hourly wage of a qualified professional. The result being a permit issued to a contractor and a “do it yourselfer” should cost the same.
8) BUILDING: How does the plan review process work?
Depending on your proposed project, plans will be reviewed by various disciplines. The assigned reviewers check your proposal for compliance with the adopted codes. If the reviewer needs additional information or has identified corrections, they will request information from you in writing in the form of a comment letter.
A comment letter is sent when a reviewer needs additional information, or a correction needs to be made to the plans. Once a comment letter is sent to you the reviewer takes no further action until you provide a response to the comment letter. If you have questions contact the reviewer, you may have to leave a message and wait for them to get back to you.
After you have gathered all the additional information and/or made the requested corrections, bring the information to the front counter. Complete and timely responses will speed up the re-review of the project.
If the revisions are complete, the reviewer will sign off and the project will move on in the process. If the reviewer needs additional information or has identified additional corrections, they will request this information from you in writing in another comment letter.
9) BUILDING: I have my Building Permit, when should I call for inspections?
When you obtain your Building Permit, you will need to keep the permit card and approved plans on site, protected from elements and available for the City Inspector when we perform inspections. You will need to keep your inspection records together with your permit and plans.
Your Building Permit should identify the required inspections for your project. Do not cover any work until work has been approved by the City Inspector. If you have questions about required inspections on your project, call our office and ask. Work that is covered prior to approval will have to be removed so we can inspect. This includes but is not limited to: floor sheathing over crawl spaces, concrete, drywall, insulation, roof membranes, house wrap, and siding.
When scheduling a request for an inspection have the information on your permit available, call the inspection hotline (360) 385-2294.
You may also schedule your inspection online through our portal.
BUILDING: When is an architect required for commercial projects?
New construction of all non-residential buildings and structures over 4,000 square feet.
New construction of all residential buildings containing more than 4 dwelling units.
Tenant improvements or remodels in spaces more than 4,000 square feet.
If the remodel or tenant improvement involves area less than 4,000 square feet AND is in a building that is 4,000 square feet or larger, then an architect must be involved if there are structural changes or life safety changes (exits, fire alarms or fire sprinklers affected, or other life safety items such as change-of-use or occupancy).
The total square feet of a building includes the total of all levels and all outdoor covered areas like porches, drive-thru canopies, etc.
The practice of architecture is defined in and regulated through RCW 18.08. Visit the Washington State Architect Guide for help in understanding the roles and responsibilities of architects, engineers, and other design professionals.
Under state law and the building code the Building official has the authority to make the final determination on what documents will be accepted for building permit application.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I have chickens and roosters on my residential property?
Chickens are permitted in all residential zones. Roosters are not prohibited, however, if they are reported as a nuisance they will be treated as any other nuisance offense in the City. An enforcement letter will be issued to the owner to abate the nuisance on the property. If the situation cannot be resolved in any other way than that of the rooster being relocated, that may be the solution required to meet compliance. PTMC 9.08.020(S), 9.09.030, 17.16.020 Uses Table.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I keep inoperable and unregistered vehicles on my property?
Vehicles meeting the Revised Code of Washington’s RCW 46.55.010 definition of “junk vehicles” are considered nuisances under the City of Port Townsend’s Municipal Code PTMC 9.08.020(N). Inoperable and/or unregistered vehicles must be kept in a garage or removed from the property.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I live in a camper trailer, “tiny home” on a vehicle chassis, or RV in Port Townsend?
RVs and camper trailers are not permitted as dwelling units in Port Townsend. A THOW is permitted as an accessory dwelling unit; however, you must apply for and receive permits from the City before bringing the unit on site, the unit and site must meet specific code requirements, and the unit must have a blue or gold insignia from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Please see our THOW ADU handouts for detailed information: https://cityofpt.us/planning-community-development/page/forms-documents. THOWs that do not meet code requirements are prohibited.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I operate a business from my residential home?
Some businesses are permitted outright with a City of Port Townsend business license while others, meeting specific criteria under PTMC Chapter 17.56 Home Occupations, may be permitted with a Home Occupation permit and a City of Port Townsend business license.
All other businesses not meeting the above criteria would need to operate from a commercial or other zoning district where the activity and/or use is either outright permitted or permitted through a required permit process. All businesses require a City of Port Townsend business license to operate in the City of Port Townsend, PTMC Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulations.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I remain anonymous to report a violation?
The City of Port Townsend does not accept anonymous complaints. A valid compliant must have a contact name and phone number for City personnel in the event follow up questions are needed, or the complainant wishes to be updated on the progress of the case.
You may check the box to remain anonymous once you have provided your contact information. The Code Compliance Officer and staff will not provide your name to subject business or property owner, however, if the case goes to court or if a public records request is made, your information may be provided to the violator.
CODE COMPLIANCE: Can I rent rooms from my home (or a property I own) and advertise on a vacation rental website?
A conditional use permit is required to operate a short term vacation rental (less than 30-day stays) for either a Bed and Breakfast or a Tourist Home. You may contact the Department of Development Services to obtain a permit application and the relevant code sections are found under PTMC, Bed and Breakfast Inns and Tourist Homes, Chapters 17.57 and Operation of Bed and Breakfast Inns and Tourist homes, Chapter 5.45.
Vacation rentals operating without an approved and issued conditional use permit for anything less than 30-day stays are out of compliance with the PTMC.
For more information on our short term rentals, please see our list of permitted short term rentals.
CODE COMPLIANCE: I think I have violations in my rental unit and my landlord won’t fix them, can Code Compliance assist me in any way?
Under the revised Code of Washington RCW 59.18, The Landlord Tenant Act, specifically under 59.18.115(C), a tenant may request an inspection, if after providing written notice to the landlord, the landlord fails to remedy the condition in a reasonable amount of time. RCW 59.18.070
The Code Enforcement Officer and/or Building Inspector will provide an inspection and written certification stating whether the items, specific to the written notice provided to the landlord, are in violation. The matter is then a civil issue between the tenant and landlord. Depending on the violation(s), code enforcement may commence as a result.
CODE COMPLIANCE: What can I do if I receive a Request for Voluntary Compliance letter?
Contact the Code Compliance Officer and provide your contact information. If you have any questions about the requirements being outlined or the timeline provided, the Code Compliance Officer is willing to work with you to help you reach a resolution.
CODE COMPLIANCE: What happens if I perform construction work without an approved and issued building permit?
If a report is received for construction taking place without a permit or observed taking place without an approved and issued building permit from the Department of Development Services, a Stop Work Order is posted. A Stop Work Order requires all work to cease immediately until an approved and issued building permit (and any other required permits) are approved and issued for the property.
When a Stop Work order is posted, double permit fees are applicable PTMC 1.20.075(D), and citations may be issued to either or both the property owner and contractor performing the work on site.
Work covered up may be required to be re-opened for the building inspector to properly inspect the project through an after-the-fact building permit application.
CODE COMPLIANCE: What happens once a complaint is filed?
The Code Compliance officer will determine if a violation(s) exists on the property by performing an inspection as viewed from City and/or public property.
A Request for Voluntary Compliance letter is typically the first letter sent to a business or property owner identifying the violation(s) on site and providing a timeframe by which to correct the violations (typically 2 weeks). The timeline can vary depending on the nature of the violation.
If the violation(s) remain and or continue past the deadline provided or if the violation(s) were more serious in nature, a formal Notice and Order of Violation (NOV) is issued, providing two weeks (timeline can vary depending on the nature of the violation) to bring the property into compliance. If the NOV deadline is not met, daily fees begin to accrue and/or citations may be issued.
The goal is to reach compliance at the voluntary level. Most cases are resolved in a short amount of time, however, some cases can take months or longer for successful resolution and can vary depending on the cooperation by the business or property owner.
PLANNING: Can I review information on a pending permit?
For projects requiring public notice, a public inspection file (PIF) is made available in the Planning and Community Development Department. If you require additional information or wish to review a permit application that does not require public notice, submit a Public Records Request via the City Clerk’s Office.
PLANNING: How do I comment on a pending land use permit?
You can submit a comment on a project during the public comment period. Not all projects require a comment period. For those that do, Notice of Application is posted at the project site and mailed to the property owner within 300 feet of the project boundary. Some also require published notice, we publish in The Leader. Notices describe the project, address, contact person and the deadline for submitting comments.
Please mail your comments to the Planning and Community Development Department; include the project, project address, and your mailing address with your comment. We will consider comments submitted after the comment period only if we have not yet published a decision.
PLANNING: Who has short term rentals available in Port Townsend?
Please see our list of permitted short term rental tourist homes with current business licenses.
