Stormwater permits in Kirkland: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a stormwater / drainage permit in Kirkland, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Kirkland Planning and Building Department.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to Kirkland's source.
When does drainage work need a permit in Kirkland?
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 Kirkland's own code
“The applicant shall comply with the construction phase and permanent stormwater control requirements of the municipal code. Generally, permanent stormwater control systems must be designed to accommodate all land within the subdivision. Based on unusual circumstances, the city can require or approve stormwater control systems designed and installed for individual lots or groups of lots within the proposed plat. (Ord. 4122 § 1 (part), 2008; Ord.”Source ↗verified 2026-05-29
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 contractor
Who can do this work in Kirkland?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Kirkland and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the stormwater / drainage permit with Kirkland Planning and Building Department, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Kirkland 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 drainage work in Kirkland — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline, critical-area or historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 4 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Kirkland Planning and Building Department ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Kirkland's fee schedule sets them) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files with Kirkland Planning and Building Department, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Stormwater permits in Kirkland — FAQ
When does drainage work need a permit in Kirkland?
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 Kirkland?
Kirkland's grading permit is $61 for 50 cubic yards or less, $121 for 51 to 100, and $121 plus $25.68 for each 100 cubic yards more up to 1,000, with a $121 intake plan review up to 1,000 cubic yards. Public Works' surface water review is $575 basic, $1,926 simplified, $2,428 targeted or $4,857 full; a new detached house on its own lot pays a $1,598 surface water capital facility charge, and altering or expanding a single house on its lot is exempt from it. A 3.5% technology fee applies to the permit and review fees, not to the capital facility charge. Apply via https://mybuildingpermit.com.