If you plan to build in unincorporated Thurston County, or change how a property is currently being used, you may need a permit and associated site inspections. If you're wondering what you can do with a property,
research a property before submitting an application
No Permit Needed
Exemptions list (PDF)
Add-on Buildings (Non-residential accessory structures)
Agrcultural Projects
Manure field |
Homes & Residential
Single Family Home (additions, new construction, remodel, replace) | Manufactured & Mobile Homes | Accessory & Family Member Dwelling units | Duplexes | Adult Family Homes | Subdivisions | Change / convert building use (occupancy change)
Commercial, General Construction, Signs & Fire
Commercial (additions, new construction, remodel, replace) | Demolition | Hood & Duct | Mechanical | Plumbing | Skylights (new or replacement) | Roof / Re-roof (no prmt) | Siding (no prmt) | Stormwater Drainage | Structural Sheeting Replacement | Windows & Doors (new or replacement - no prmt if like for like) | Tanks & Propane Tanks (500 gal unless commercial use) | Fire Alarm | Sprinkler | Fireworks | Places of worship | Flags & Flagpoles) | Signs | Event Centers
Septic, Water & Wells
Septic & Sewage Systems (Installation, Disconnections, abandonment) | Septic 3 Year Certification (Loan certification) | Septic Transfer of ownership (Time of transfer) | Water Testing | Wells
Shoreline Property
Any construction on or near water is regulated by County codes that meet Washington's state Shoreline Master Program requirements.
Docks | Bulkheads & Retaining Walls | Homes | Commercial | Additional Buildings
Property Boundary Changes
Boundary Line Adjustments | Division of Land (Subdivisions) | Zoning Change Requests | Legal Lot determination | Forest land conversion
Land-Use (What activities can be done on a property)
Dog Boarding Kennels | Events | Camps & Temporary Camps (RV, homeless) | Marijuana Processing | RV camps | Subdivisions
Roads, Access, Clearing, Grading
Access Permit (access to county road that hasn’t been built) | Encroachment Permit (access to existing county road)| Construction Permit (Clearing & Grading)
County Review of Your Plans
Presubmission Conference | Administrative Site-plan review | Critical Areas Determination (before you buy or build) | Gopher | Prairie plants
Exceptions, Exclusions & Variances
No Permit Required | Administrative Variance | Reasonable Use Exception | Shoreline Administrative Variance | Variance