Kitchen remodel permits in City of Lakewood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a kitchen remodel permit in City of 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 City of Lakewood's source.
When does a kitchen remodel need a permit in City of Lakewood?
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.
How City of Lakewood adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which City of 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
Required submittals
- floor plan with fixture locations
- electrical layout
- plumbing diagram
- WSEC compliance form if envelope/lighting affected
Inspection sequence
- rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- insulation if walls opened
- drywall
- final
Contractor specialties needed
general, plumbing
Who can do this work in City of Lakewood?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Lakewood and Pierce County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the kitchen remodel 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 City of Lakewood kitchen remodel quote.
Notes & caveats
Per Lakewood handout B10, kitchen remodels fall under Residential Remodel (Major if structural, Minor if non-load-bearing). Per handout B4 exemption clause: "Repairs: ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof... nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety." Cosmetic-only kitchen work (paint, cabinets without plumbing/electric change) may be exempt; any plumbing/electrical changes trigger trade permits.
Kitchen remodel permit fee — Washington baseline, not City of Lakewood's own schedule
Worked example for a $35,000 kitchen remodel project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $492.25 |
| Plan review | $319.96 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.5 |
| Estimated total | $818.71 |
Fees set by jurisdiction. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $6.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate. We have not read City of Lakewood's adopted fee schedule, so this is not City of Lakewood's fee: it walks the standard valuation table most Washington cities adopt by reference, as a rough guide. The real numbers are in City of Lakewood's fee schedule ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Lakewood kitchen remodel — 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: Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Fees set by jurisdiction. WA Building Code Council surcharge: $6.50 per building permit. Trade permits separate.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull kitchen remodel permits in City of Lakewood every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department, handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Kitchen remodel permits in City of Lakewood — FAQ
When does a kitchen remodel need a permit in City of Lakewood?
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.
How much does a kitchen remodel permit cost in City of Lakewood?
For a $35,000 kitchen remodel project, the estimated City of Lakewood permit fee is about $818.71 — building fee $492.25 + plan review $319.96 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.