Stormwater permits in City of Bellevue: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a stormwater / drainage permit in City of Bellevue, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Bellevue Development Services.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Bellevue's source.
When does a stormwater / drainage need a permit in City of Bellevue?
KC Surface Water Design Manual 2021 (KCC 9.04 + adopted by reference in most KC cities) sets the 2,000 sqft new+replaced impervious threshold for "small project" drainage review; ≥5,000 sqft triggers full drainage review. Different thresholds in critical-area drainage basins.
From City of Bellevue's own code
“6934, which is pending 8/29/2026 effective date. A. A clearing and grading permit is required for a project that involves any of the following described in subsections (A)(1) through (A)(9) of this section, except as provided for in subsection B of this section. In applying this section, the total proposal shall be considered. Any project that requires a permit shall also comply with applicable provisions of Chapter 24.06 BCC, BCC Title 20 , and all other applicable city codes. 1.”Source ↗verified 2026-09-06
What City of Bellevue says in its own permit handout
From Work Requiring Commercial and Residential Permits, published by City of Bellevue. This is the jurisdiction's own guidance on its permit process, not the ordinance text — where the two differ, the code governs.
“A permit is not required for landscaping unless the total amount of excavation or fill dirt exceeds 50 cubic yards, or the total amount of earth disturbance exceeds 1,000 square feet, or your property contains critical areas (steep slopes, wetlands, streams, etc). If the thresholds are exceeded, a permit is required and may trigger SEPA requirements.”Handout ↗read 2026-09-05
Required submittals
- drainage report (full or simplified)
- site plan with impervious calc
- BMP / facility detail
- geotech if infiltration claimed
Inspection sequence
- pre-construction (BMPs in place)
- facility installation
- final stabilization
Contractor specialties needed
general
Who can do this work in City of Bellevue?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Bellevue and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the stormwater / drainage permit with Bellevue Development Services, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Bellevue stormwater / drainage quote.
Notes & caveats
Issuing body is city public works / county DPER, often parallel to the building permit. On-site infiltration / detention required where infeasible to discharge to municipal storm. Critical-area parcels (steep slope, salmon-bearing watercourse) get more conservative review.
Stormwater permit fee estimate in City of Bellevue
Worked example for a $25,000 stormwater / drainage project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $391.25 |
| Plan review | $254.31 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $652.06 |
Drainage review fee commonly tiered by project size; small project ~$300-$800, full drainage review $1,500+. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com. Computed from the City of Bellevue fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Bellevue stormwater / drainage — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (4).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Bellevue Development Services ↗
- 4. Track review (typical: —). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Drainage review fee commonly tiered by project size; small project ~$300-$800, full drainage review $1,500+. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull stormwater / drainage permits in City of Bellevue every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Bellevue Development Services, handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Stormwater permits in City of Bellevue — FAQ
When does a stormwater / drainage need a permit in City of Bellevue?
KC Surface Water Design Manual 2021 (KCC 9.04 + adopted by reference in most KC cities) sets the 2,000 sqft new+replaced impervious threshold for "small project" drainage review; ≥5,000 sqft triggers full drainage review. Different thresholds in critical-area drainage basins.
How much does a stormwater / drainage permit cost in City of Bellevue?
For a $25,000 stormwater / drainage project, the estimated City of Bellevue permit fee is about $652.06 — building fee $391.25 + plan review $254.31 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.