Basement finish permits in Redmond: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a basement finish permit in Redmond, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Redmond Planning and Community Development.
Free lookup, no account needed — the office that issues the permit at your address, and a layout of the room, cited to Redmond's source.
When does a basement finish need a permit in Redmond?
2021 IRC R310: every sleeping room below grade requires emergency escape and rescue opening (egress window). Min sill height 44in, min net clear opening 5.7 sq ft (5.0 grade-floor), min width 20in, height 24in. Ceiling height min 7ft (R305). Entire newly conditioned area must comply with WSEC R402.
How Redmond adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which Redmond adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“The 2021 edition of the International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference with the exceptions noted in WAC Chapter 51-51.”Source ↗verified 2026-10-02
Required submittals
- Floor plan w/ egress windows + ceiling heights
- Electrical layout
- Plumbing diagram
- Mechanical / HVAC plan
- WSEC compliance form (newly conditioned space)
- Smoke/CO alarm locations
Inspection sequence
- Rough-in (electrical/plumbing/mechanical)
- Framing
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Final
Contractor specialties needed
General contractor · Electrician (journey-level 01 or residential 02) · Plumber · Mechanical contractor
Who can do this work in Redmond?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Redmond and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the basement finish permit with Redmond Planning and Community Development, carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Redmond basement finish quote.
Notes & caveats
Construction permit required for any habitable space addition. Smoke + CO alarms required (R314, R315). Any new circuits, plumbing fixtures, or HVAC requires trade permits.
Basement finish permit fee estimate in Redmond
Worked example for a $40,000 basement finish project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $1,083.67 |
| Plan review | $704.39 |
| Technology surcharge | $71.52 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $1,866.08 |
Redmond prices a basement finish's building permit on the value of the work: $46.89 up to $500, $46.89 for the first $500 plus $6.08 for each $100 more up to $2,000, $138.26 for the first $2,000 plus $27.90 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, and $781.12 for the first $25,000 plus $20.17 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000. Plan review is 65% of that fee, and the schedule's fire fee for a residential remodel, where Fire review applies, is $796.48. Plumbing and mechanical work are separate City permits, each from a $140.71 base fee, such as $48.55 a plumbing fixture or $48.25 an exhaust fan. The City, not L&I, issues the electrical permit: $140.71 plus $96.02 for 0 to 3 new or altered circuits, or $192.03 for more. A 4% technology surcharge applies to the total, plus the $6.50 state building code fee (2026 fee schedules). Apply through the Redmond ePermitting Service, REPS (cityofredmondwa-energovweb.tylerhost.net/
How to apply yourself
- 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your basement finish in Redmond — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address, and you can lay out the room.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 6 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Redmond Planning and Community Development ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (about $1,866 for a $40,000 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 Redmond Planning and Community Development, handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Basement finish permits in Redmond — FAQ
When does a basement finish need a permit in Redmond?
2021 IRC R310: every sleeping room below grade requires emergency escape and rescue opening (egress window). Min sill height 44in, min net clear opening 5.7 sq ft (5.0 grade-floor), min width 20in, height 24in. Ceiling height min 7ft (R305). Entire newly conditioned area must comply with WSEC R402.
How much does a basement finish permit cost in Redmond?
For a $40,000 basement finish project, the estimated Redmond permit fee is about $1,866.08 (building fee $1,083.67 + plan review $704.39 + surcharges) from Redmond's adopted fee schedule. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.