Stormwater permits in Lakewood: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a stormwater / drainage 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 drainage work need a permit in Lakewood?
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 Lakewood's own code
“When drainage review and approval is required, the City requires, at a minimum, full compliance with this section. Design details, sizing methods, and construction standards for required drainage plans are provided in the City of Lakewood Engineering Standards Manual (ESM) and shall be used. The ESM distinguishes between submittal requirements for site plans and engineering drainage plans. A. Minimum Requirement No. 1 – Preparation of Storm Water Site Plans.”Source ↗verified 2026-05-02
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 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 stormwater / drainage 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 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 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 (Lakewood'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 Lakewood Planning and Public Works Department, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Stormwater permits in Lakewood — FAQ
When does drainage work need a permit in Lakewood?
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 Lakewood?
Lakewood's site development permit is $650 for land clearing or grading only of less than 500 cubic yards, and $1,000 for a residential project. 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 (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/).