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Electrical permits in Federal Way: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling an electrical permit in 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 Federal Way Department of Community Development.

Look up your Federal Way address

Free lookup, no account needed — the office that issues the permit at your address, cited to Federal Way's source.

Permit required?
Permit if: more than like-in-kind minor work.
Permit fee
Federal Way issues its own electrical permits and prices them on the installation's value off Valuation Table B: $96.21 up to $1,000, $164.48 for the first $2,000 plus $36.19 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, and $996.94 for the first $25,000 plus $25.81 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000; plan review, where plans are reviewed, is 65% of the electrical permit fee.
Review timeline
Not published by the city

When does electrical work need a permit in Federal Way?

Federal Way issues its own electrical permits — through the City's Building Division, not WA L&I. Electrical work requires a permit except minor work — replacement of branch-circuit overcurrent devices and minor electrical repair (replacing lamps, connecting approved portable equipment) are exempt. Federal Way adopts NEC 2023. The city of Federal Way electrical code (FWRC 13.38) adopts the NEC, chapter 19.28 RCW and chapter 296-46B WAC, and beyond the state's exempt list (WAC 296-46B-901(7)(b)) also exempts temporary decorative lighting, temporary wiring in experimental laboratories and temporary stage-set wiring (FWRC 13.38.040(2)).

In the source's own words

“Minor electrical repair work, including replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment.”
Source ↗verified 2026-09-25

Required submittals

  • Scope description
  • Load calc for service changes
  • Panel schedule for new panels

Inspection sequence

  1. Rough-in
  2. Service inspection (if applicable)
  3. Final

Contractor specialties needed

Electrician (journey-level 01 or residential 02)

Who can do this work in Federal Way?

Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Federal Way and King County. Kolmo manages the electrical job from start to finish: a licensed electrical contractor performs the work and the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Federal Way electrical quote.

Notes & caveats

Federal Way's Building Division "administers and enforces building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes, which includes plan review, permit issuance, and inspection." Residential electrical permits and most commercial electrical permits are applied for online at MyBuildingPermit.com (City Permit Center). L&I lists Federal Way among the cities that issue their own electrical permits: "L&I does not issue permits or do inspections in the cities listed on this page". The WA electrical contractor license (L&I specialty 01 or 02) still governs who may do the work: L&I licenses the contractor, the City issues the permit. Service upgrade: load calc per NEC 220. EV charger ≥40A: dedicated circuit + GFCI. AFCI required on most habitable-space circuits (NEC 210.12).

How to apply yourself

  1. 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your electrical work in Federal Way — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals: the 3 documents under Required submittals above.
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Federal Way Department of Community Development ↗
  4. 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Federal Way's fee schedule sets them) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Or have Kolmo do it

Kolmo runs the job: a licensed electrical contractor does the electrical work and pulls the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction.

(206) 410-5100

Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured

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Electrical permits in Federal Way — FAQ

When does electrical work need a permit in Federal Way?

Federal Way issues its own electrical permits — through the City's Building Division, not WA L&I. Electrical work requires a permit except minor work — replacement of branch-circuit overcurrent devices and minor electrical repair (replacing lamps, connecting approved portable equipment) are exempt. Federal Way adopts NEC 2023. The city of Federal Way electrical code (FWRC 13.38) adopts the NEC, chapter 19.28 RCW and chapter 296-46B WAC, and beyond the state's exempt list (WAC 296-46B-901(7)(b)) also exempts temporary decorative lighting, temporary wiring in experimental laboratories and temporary stage-set wiring (FWRC 13.38.040(2)).

How much does an electrical permit cost in Federal Way?

Federal Way issues its own electrical permits and prices them on the installation's value off Valuation Table B: $96.21 up to $1,000, $164.48 for the first $2,000 plus $36.19 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, and $996.94 for the first $25,000 plus $25.81 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000; plan review, where plans are reviewed, is 65% of the electrical permit fee. Each permit carries the automation fee, the greater of $43 or 5% of the permit fee (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com.

Federal Way resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗