Deck permits in Lakewood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a deck permit in Lakewood, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department.
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to Lakewood's source.
When does a deck need a permit in Lakewood?
Permit NOT required if ALL of: not attached + <30in above grade at any point + <200sqft + does not serve as main entry door + (for shoreline properties) not more than 18in high. Critical-area proximity always triggers permit.
How Lakewood adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which Lakewood adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“Pursuant to RCW 19.27.031, the following codes as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council herein adopted and further amended, shall be collectively known as the Lakewood Building Code: A. The 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC), including Appendix Chapters E, G, and J, published by the International Code Council and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-50 WAC, is hereby adopted by reference and as subsequently amended by this chapter.”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
What Lakewood says in its own permit handout
From Do I Need A Building Permit? (dated May 20, 2025), published by Lakewood. This is the jurisdiction's own guidance on its permit process, not the ordinance text — where the two differ, the code governs.
“Permits are NOT required for the following: … Decks: Not attached to buildings, are less than 30 inches above grade at any point, less than 200 square feet, do not serve as main entry door, and are not more than 18 inches high for shoreline properties. Exceptions: when near critical area, or critical area buffer, a permit is required to review placement.”Handout ↗read 2026-09-05
Required submittals
- Site plan with setbacks
- Framing plan w/ ledger detail
- Footing detail
- Guard/handrail detail
Inspection sequence
- Footing
- Framing
- Final
Contractor specialties needed
General contractor
Who can do this work in Lakewood?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Lakewood and Pierce County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the deck permit with Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Lakewood deck quote.
Notes & caveats
From Lakewood handout B4 (Do I Need a Building Permit?): "Decks: Not attached to buildings, are less than 30 inches above grade at any point, less than 200 square feet, do not serve as main entry door, and are not more than 18 inches high for shoreline properties. Exceptions: when near critical area, or critical area buffer, a permit is required to review placement." Lakewood's shoreline 18-inch rule is more restrictive than the inland 30-inch rule.
Deck permit fee estimate in Lakewood
Worked example for an $18,000 deck project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $370 |
| Plan review | $240.50 |
| Administrative base fee | $90 |
| Technology surcharge (4%) | $28.02 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $735.02 |
Lakewood prices a deck's building permit on the value of the work, set by the Building Official: $30 up to $500, $90 for the first $2,000 plus $17.50 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, and $492.50 for the first $25,000 plus $12.50 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000. Plan review is 65% of the building permit fee, one hour at the least, and the $6.50 state building code fee applies. Every permit application carries the City's $90 administrative base fee, mechanical permits excepted, and a 4% technology fee (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply through Lakewood's Online Permit Center (app.oncamino.com/
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your deck in Lakewood — 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: Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (about $735 for an $18,000 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 Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Deck permits in Lakewood — FAQ
When does a deck need a permit in Lakewood?
Permit NOT required if ALL of: not attached + <30in above grade at any point + <200sqft + does not serve as main entry door + (for shoreline properties) not more than 18in high. Critical-area proximity always triggers permit.
How much does a deck permit cost in Lakewood?
For a $18,000 deck project, the estimated Lakewood permit fee is about $735.02 (building fee $370 + plan review $240.50 + surcharges) from Lakewood's adopted fee schedule. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.