Basement finish permits in Kent: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a basement finish permit in Kent, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Kent Economic and Community Development.
Free lookup, no account needed — the office that issues the permit at your address, and a layout of the room, cited to Kent's source.
When does a basement finish need a permit in Kent?
Finishing a basement changes the living space and requires a residential building permit; submit a fully dimensioned floor plan for each floor including basements.
In the source's own words
“Submit a fully dimensioned floor plan for each floor, including basements. Label each room or area with intended use.”Source ↗verified 2026-05-29
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 contractor · Plumber · Mechanical contractor
Who can do this work in Kent?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Kent and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the basement finish permit with Kent Economic and Community Development, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Kent 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 estimate in Kent
Worked example for a $40,000 basement finish project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $1,222.57 |
| Plan review | $794.67 |
| Technology surcharge | $60.52 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $2,084.26 |
Kent prices a basement finish's building permit on the value of the work: $52.82 up to $500, $52.82 for the first $500 plus $6.88 for each $100 more up to $2,000, and $155.95 for the first $2,000 plus $31.55 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, then $881.32 for the first $25,000 plus $22.75 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000. Intake fees are billed once the submittal is complete, and the rest before the permit issues. The plumbing and mechanical permits are priced separately, and the City's posted fee documents (its 2026 building permit fee table and land use fees) list neither, so the Permit Center (253-856-5300) quotes them. Electrical permits come from L&I, at L&I's fees. Apply through the City of Kent Permit Portal (sso.kentwa.gov). Computed from Kent's adopted fee schedule · source ↗. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your basement finish in Kent — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address, and you can lay out the room.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 6 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Kent Economic and Community Development ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (about $2,084 for a $40,000 project) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files with Kent Economic and Community Development, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Basement finish permits in Kent — FAQ
When does a basement finish need a permit in Kent?
Finishing a basement changes the living space and requires a residential building permit; submit a fully dimensioned floor plan for each floor including basements.
How much does a basement finish permit cost in Kent?
For a $40,000 basement finish project, the estimated Kent permit fee is about $2,084.26 (building fee $1,222.57 + plan review $794.67 + surcharges) from Kent's adopted fee schedule. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.