Stormwater permits in City of Federal Way: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a stormwater / drainage 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 Federal Way Department of Community Development.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Federal Way's source.
When does a stormwater / drainage need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Ecology's Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW, 2024 edition) is the state floor. A municipal stormwater permittee may instead adopt a REGIONAL manual Ecology has determined equivalent, and most do — some counties publish their own, some cities publish their own, and others adopt Ecology's directly. WHICH MANUAL APPLIES IS A PER-JURISDICTION FACT and it changes the numbers: review thresholds for new plus replaced impervious surface and for land-disturbing activity differ between manuals, so read this jurisdiction's own adopting chapter before quoting one. Critical-area and closed-basin parcels get stricter review under every manual.
From City of Federal Way's own code
“16.25.020 Drainage review. (1) When required. Drainage review is required for any proposed project, including new development and redevelopment (except for those proposing only routine maintenance, repair, or emergency modifications) which is or includes a regulated activity under FWRC 16.15.010 , and for which city approval, including but not limited to any approval listed in FWRC 16.15.030 , is required. (2) Type of drainage review required. One of the following four types of drainage review will be required, depending on the project;”Source ↗verified 2026-09-06
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 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 stormwater / drainage permit with Federal Way Department of Community Development, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a City of Federal Way 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.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Federal Way 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: Federal Way Department of Community Development ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Drainage review fees are commonly tiered by project size in the local fee schedule.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull stormwater / drainage permits in City of Federal Way every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Federal Way Department of Community Development, handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Stormwater permits in City of Federal Way — FAQ
When does a stormwater / drainage need a permit in City of Federal Way?
Ecology's Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington (SWMMWW, 2024 edition) is the state floor. A municipal stormwater permittee may instead adopt a REGIONAL manual Ecology has determined equivalent, and most do — some counties publish their own, some cities publish their own, and others adopt Ecology's directly. WHICH MANUAL APPLIES IS A PER-JURISDICTION FACT and it changes the numbers: review thresholds for new plus replaced impervious surface and for land-disturbing activity differ between manuals, so read this jurisdiction's own adopting chapter before quoting one. Critical-area and closed-basin parcels get stricter review under every manual.
How much does a stormwater / drainage permit cost in City of Federal Way?
Current fee per the City of Federal Way fee schedule: Drainage review fees are commonly tiered by project size in the local fee schedule. Plus ancillary plan-review/tech-surcharge fees per city schedule.