Addition permits in Everett: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

When does a home addition need a permit in Everett?

2021 IRC R105.1 requires permits for "construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, removal, conversion, or demolition" of structures. Additions are never exempt under R105.2. Footprint additions trigger zoning compliance (setbacks, lot coverage, height); vertical additions trigger structural review for the existing foundation/wall framing. WSEC R402-R403 applies to new conditioned area. SEPA threshold typically ≥12,000 sqft total floor area (RCW 43.21C).

How Everett adopted this rule

The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which Everett adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.

“The current edition of the International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., as adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-51 WAC, as now or hereafter amended.”

Source ↗verified 2026-10-02

Required submittals

• Site plan with north arrow, property lines, setbacks, existing + proposed structures, lot coverage calculation
• Floor plan existing and proposed (dimensioned, 1/4" = 1' min)
• Elevations all affected sides (existing + proposed, height-to-grade)
• Foundation plan + footing details (if footprint addition)
• Framing plan (floor + roof + lateral)
• Wall section with insulation values per WSEC
• Structural calculations (when ≥500 sqft addition or out of IRC prescriptive envelope)
• WSEC compliance form (Energy Code Compliance Certificate)
• Manual J HVAC sizing calculation for new conditioned area
• Window/door schedule with NFRC U-factor and SHGC values
• Soils report if footing on slope or expansive soils

Inspection sequence

1. Foundation/footing
2. Plumbing rough-in
3. Electrical rough-in
4. Mechanical rough-in
5. Framing
6. Insulation
7. Drywall
8. Final

Contractor specialties needed

General contractor · Electrician (journey-level 01 or residential 02) · Plumber · Mechanical contractor

Notes & caveats

2021 IRC R301 governs framing. WSEC R402.1 sets envelope requirements. New conditioned space requires Manual J HVAC sizing. Lateral load path continuity required for vertical additions.

Addition permit fee estimate in Everett

Worked example for a $120,000 home addition project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Everett prices an addition's building permit on the value of the work, and its valuation table sets new dwelling space at $193 a square foot: $818.75 plus $21.75 for each $1,000 over $25,000 up to $50,000, $1,362.50 plus $20.75 for each $1,000 over $50,000 up to $100,000, and $2,400 plus $8.75 for each $1,000 over $100,000 up to $500,000. Plan review adds 75% of that fee and Planning's review 10%, plus the $6.50 state building code fee. The plumbing permit is a $130 base fee plus $20 for each fixture, the mechanical permit is the $130 base fee plus, priced on the contract, $20 for work of $500 or less, $35 up to $1,000, or $50 above $1,000 and $20 more for each $5,000 over the first $1,000. Everett, not L&I, issues the electrical permit: for a remodel or addition it is priced on the size of the project, $100 under 1,000 square feet and $150 from 1,001 to 2,000, or $75 for 1 or 2 circuits added or altered without a service change and $100 for 3 or more. New impervious area also pays the City's stormwater system development fee, $0.3624 a square foot of area added. Computed from Everett's adopted fee schedule · source ↗. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.