Basement finish permits in City of Federal Way: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a basement finish permit in City of Federal Way, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com..
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Federal Way's source.
When does a basement finish need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Finishing or converting a basement into habitable space is a remodel requiring a building permit; hard-wired smoke detectors must be shown on each floor including basements.
In the source's own words
“Hard-wired smoke detectors shall be shown on each floor (including basements), in each sleeping room.”Source ↗verified 2026-09-24
Required submittals
- floor plan w/ egress windows + ceiling heights
- electrical layout
- plumbing diagram
- mechanical / HVAC plan
- WSEC compliance form (newly conditioned space)
- smoke/CO alarm locations
Inspection sequence
- rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- framing
- insulation
- drywall
- final
Contractor specialties needed
general, electrical-01-or-02, mechanical
Who can do this work in City of Federal Way?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Federal Way and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the basement finish permit with Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com., carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Federal Way basement finish quote.
Notes & caveats
Construction permit required for any habitable space addition. Smoke + CO alarms required (R314, R315). Any new circuits, plumbing fixtures, or HVAC requires trade permits.
Basement finish permit fee — Washington baseline, not City of Federal Way's own schedule
Worked example for a $40,000 basement finish project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $542.75 |
| Plan review | $352.79 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $902.04 |
Plan-review fee scales with valuation. State surcharge $6.50. We have not read City of Federal Way's adopted fee schedule, so this is not City of Federal Way's fee: it walks the standard valuation table most Washington cities adopt by reference, as a rough guide. The real numbers are in City of Federal Way's fee schedule ↗. 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 Federal Way basement finish — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (6).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com. ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Plan-review fee scales with valuation. State surcharge $6.50.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull basement finish permits in City of Federal Way every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Apply via MyBuildingPermit.com., handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Basement finish permits in City of Federal Way — FAQ
When does a basement finish need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Finishing or converting a basement into habitable space is a remodel requiring a building permit; hard-wired smoke detectors must be shown on each floor including basements.
How much does a basement finish permit cost in City of Federal Way?
For a $40,000 basement finish project, the estimated City of Federal Way permit fee is about $902.04 — building fee $542.75 + plan review $352.79 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.