Plumbing permits in Lakewood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a plumbing 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 — the office that issues the permit at your address, cited to Lakewood's source.
When does plumbing work need a permit in Lakewood?
WAC 51-56 (2021 UPC) requires plumbing permit for installation, replacement, or relocation of any plumbing fixture, water heater, or piping. Like-for-like faucet replacement is exempt.
How Lakewood adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.56), which Lakewood adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“Energy Code is regulated by Chapter 51-11R WAC; Plumbing Code is regulated by Chapter 51-56 WAC; Electrical Code is regulated by Chapter 296-46B WAC. C. The 2021 Edition of the International Mechanical Code (IMC) published by the International Code Council and amended by the Washington State Building Code Council in Chapter 51-52 WAC, including the 2018 International Fuel Gas Code for the installation of fuel gas distribution piping and equipment, fuel gas-fired appliances and fuel gas-fired appliance venting systems as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council, is hereby adopted.”Source ↗verified 2026-04-29
Required submittals
- Fixture count + DFU calc for repipes
- Water heater specs
- Sewer line plan if site work involved
Inspection sequence
- Rough-in / pressure test
- Final
Contractor specialties needed
Plumber
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 manages the plumbing job from start to finish: a licensed plumbing contractor performs the work and pulls the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Lakewood plumbing quote.
Notes & caveats
From Lakewood Residential Applications Matrix: "Plumbing (including Like for Like permit types)" is an explicit permit type. Lakewood requires a plumbing permit even for like-for-like fixture replacement (slightly stricter than the WA-baseline approach, which exempts pure like-for-like).
How to apply yourself
- 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your plumbing work in Lakewood — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 3 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 (Lakewood's fee schedule sets them) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo runs the job: a licensed plumbing contractor does the plumbing work and pulls the permit, and Kolmo coordinates the scope, schedule, inspections and any related construction.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Plumbing permits in Lakewood — FAQ
When does plumbing work need a permit in Lakewood?
WAC 51-56 (2021 UPC) requires plumbing permit for installation, replacement, or relocation of any plumbing fixture, water heater, or piping. Like-for-like faucet replacement is exempt.
How much does a plumbing permit cost in Lakewood?
Lakewood prices a plumbing permit for added or replaced fixtures on its unit table: a $34 permit issuance fee plus $12 for each fixture on one trap, $12 for each water heater and vent, $22 for each building sewer, and $12 for gas piping of 1 to 5 outlets; a new house's plumbing is a $240 flat fee. Plan review, where plans are required, is 25% of the permit fee, and the 4% technology fee applies (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply through Lakewood's Online Permit Center (https://app.oncamino.com/lakewood_wa), linked with the account steps from the city's Apply for a Permit page (https://cityoflakewood.us/permit-center/).