The county charges fees for the work associated with reviewing plans & drawings, and inspecting properties, construction sites and building work to make sure development meets regulations. We also collect impact fees for projects that increase the need for community services like fire services, parks, schools, transportation and environmental protection. 

Building Permits & Plan Review Fees

• Residential Building Permits, Plan Review Fee Schedule & Valuation Chart for 2023 
• Land-Use Permits & Hearing Examiner Applications Fee Schedule for 2023 
• Non-Residential Building Permits Fee Guide for 2023 
• Non Residential Fee Schedule (Excel spreadsheet) - Use to calculate your building, plan review, state surcharge and more.
• Fees above are for commercial and residential buildings, inspections, plan review, manufactured homes, schools & places of worship.
• Fees set and managed by Development Services, a division of Community Planning & Economic Development Dept.

Septic Permits, Well Water & Conditional Site Approval Fees 

• Most common Septic & Conditional Site Approval Fees for 2023 
• All Septic related fees from Environmental Health - scroll down to Fees on the Septic Systems page.
• Fees above are for: septic permits, drinking water fees
• Fees set and managed by Environmental Health, a division of Public Health & Social Services Dept.

Construction Site Erosion Control/Stormwater & Development Review Fees

• Development Review Fees for 2023 (PDF)
• County Water & Sewer Utility Rates for 2023 (PDF)
• Fees set and managed by Development Review, a division of Public Works Dept.

Impact Fees

• Fire Impact Fees for 2023 (PDF)
• Park & School Impact Fees for 2023 (PDF)
• Transportation Impact Fees for 2023 (PDF)

Apply for a Refund for Paid Fee

• Fee Refund Form (PDF)

Types of fees

1. Applications fees:
   • For processing permit applications.
   • For verifying information on documentation.
2. Plan Review fees:
   • For checking plans and drawings against code.
3. Inspection fees:
   • For on-site inspections of construction sites & buildings.
   • For on-property inspection of regulated animal habitats, lands, water, soils, vegetation.
4. Environmental impact fees for destruction to/loss of regulated environments.
5. Mitigation fees. Loss of ESA-protected habitat caused by development must be replaced elsewhere through mitigation. 
6. Impact fees for some fire and school districts, transportation, and parks.

Elected Officials Authorize these Fees
Permitting fees are reviewed and adopted by the Thurston County Board of Commissioners. Thurston County government is authorized by the Washington State legislature to issue permits in unincorporated areas of Thurston County and collect fees. Permitted projects must meet state and federal laws for community growth, health and safety.  Some county departments and divisions are funded by the county's general fund which is a tax-sourced fund. Permitting is self-supporting through fees and does not rely on Thurston County's general fund.