Kitchen remodel permits in City of Kent: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a kitchen remodel permit in City of 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 uses MyKent permits portal..

Permit required?
Yes — see threshold below
Permit fee
Fees set by jurisdiction. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $4.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate. Apply via https://kentwa.gov/permits. Kent uses MyKent permits portal.
Review timeline
14–28 days

When does a kitchen remodel need a permit in City of Kent?

Cosmetic-only refresh (cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint) without structural/electrical/plumbing changes is generally exempt under 2021 IRC R105.2 (work exempt from permit). Any new circuit, fixture relocation, or structural change requires permits.

Required submittals

  • floor plan with fixture locations
  • electrical layout
  • plumbing diagram
  • WSEC compliance form if envelope/lighting affected

Inspection sequence

  1. rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
  2. insulation if walls opened
  3. drywall
  4. final

Contractor specialties needed

general, electrical-01-or-02, plumbing

Notes & caveats

2021 IRC R105.1 requires building permits for "construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, removal, conversion, or demolition" except work listed in R105.2. New electrical circuits → electrical permit (WAC 296-46B). New/relocated plumbing fixtures → plumbing permit (UPC, WAC 51-56). New gas line or range hood vent → mechanical permit.

How to apply

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup on the main permits page — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (4).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Kent uses MyKent permits portal.
  4. 4. Track review (typical: 14–28 days). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Fees set by jurisdiction. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $4.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate. Apply via https://kentwa.gov/permits. Kent uses MyKent permits portal.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
City of Kent resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗