17C.10.070 Fees | Pierce County Code

17C.10.070 Fees.

This section was recently amended by Ordinance 2023-59s, codified in March 2024.

The fee for each permit shall be as set forth in Tables 17C.10-1-A through 1-G:

A. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of the Codes shall be made by the Building Official. The value used in computing the building permit and building plan review fee shall be the total value of all construction work for which the permit is issued, as well as all finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, fire-extinguishing systems and any other permanent equipment. The Building Official shall be guided by the "Building Valuation Data" table compiled by the International Code Council and published in the Building Safety Journal or other national standard in establishing a permit valuation minimum.

EXCEPTION: The determination of value or valuation under the International Fire Code, published by the International Code Council, as adopted by Chapter 17C.60 PCC, shall be made by the Fire Marshal.

Table 17C.10-1-A. Building Permit Fees
Total Valuation	Fees for Other Than One and Two-Family, Group R, Division 3 and Private Garage and Agricultural Group U, Division 1 and 3 Occupancies.
$1 to $25,000	$69.00 for the first $2,000 plus $12.21 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000.
$25,001 to $50,000	$349.75 for the first $25,000 plus $9.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.
$50,001 to $100,000	$574.75 for the first $50,000 plus $6.25 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.
$100,001 to $500,000	$887.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000.
$500,001 and up	$2,887.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.25 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.

Table 17C.10-1-B. Building Permit Fees
Total Valuation	Fees for One and Two-Family, Group R, Division 3 and Private Garage and Agricultural Group U, Division 1 and 3 Occupancies.
$1 to $2,000	$69.00 for the first $500 plus $2.00 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000.
$2,001 to $50,000	$99.00 for the first $2,000 plus $4.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000.
$50,001 to $100,000	$315.00 for the first $50,000 plus $6.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000.
$100,001 to $150,000	$640.00 for the first $100,000 plus $8.50 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $150,000.
$150,001 and up	$1,065.00 for the first $150,000 plus $6.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof.

Table 17C.10-1-C. Plan Review Fees
Description	Plan Review Fee
For all occupancies.	65 percent of the building permit fee as shown in Tables 17C.10-1-A., 17C.10-1-B., 17C.10-1-D., and 17C.10-1-E.
For all occupancies other than Group R, Division 3 and Group U occupancies when the project involves deferred submittal items as defined in Section 106.3.4.2.	100 percent of the building permit fee as shown in Table 17C.10-1-A.
For all occupancies other than Group R, Division 3 and Group U occupancies, when submittal documents submitted in phases to accommodate a (fast track or expedited) design build process.	150 percent of the building permit fee as shown in Table 17C.10-1-A.
To create a Base Plan (1) for Group R, Division 3 and Group U occupancies.	100 percent of the building permit fee as shown in Table 17C.10-1-B.
The plan review fee for a Base Plan Permit (2).	30 percent of the building permit fee as shown in Tables 17C.10-1-A. and 17C.10-1 B.
Plan Review Fees for Fire Prevention Bureau
For Group R, Division 3 and Group U occupancies	3 percent of the building permit fee in Table 17C.10-1-B.
For all occupancies other than Group R, Division 3 and Group U	20 percent of the building permit fee in Table 17C.10-1-A.
(1) A Base Plan is a set of drawings and documents for a Group R, Division 3, One and Two-Family Dwelling, Group U, Private Garage and Agricultural Buildings. They are reviewed and approved to be built more than once in Pierce County. (2) Base Plan Permits are building permits obtained using a base plan.

Table 17C.10-1-D. Plumbing Permit Fees
1.	For issuing each permit.	$50.00
2.	For issuing each supplemental permit.	$25.00
Unit Fee Schedule (in addition to items 1 and 2 above)
1.	For each plumbing fixture on one trap or a set of fixtures on one trap (including water, drainage piping and backflow protection therefor).	$7.00
2.	For each building sewer and each connection to a manufactured home in a trailer park sewer system.	$15.00
3.	Rainwater systems-per drain (inside building).	$7.00
4.	For each cesspool (where permitted).	$25.00
5.	For each private sewage disposal system.	$40.00
6.	For each water heater and/or vent.	$7.00
7.	For each industrial waste pretreatment interceptor including its trap and vent, except kitchen-type grease interceptors functioning as fixture traps.	$7.00
8.	For each installation, alteration or repair of water piping and/or water treating equipment, each.	$7.00
9.	For each repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping, each fixture.	$7.00
10.	For each lawn sprinkler system on any one meter including backflow protection devices therefor.	$7.00
11.	For atmospheric-type vacuum breakers not included in item 12:
	1 to 5	$5.00
	Over 5, each	$1.00
12.	For each backflow protective device other than atmospheric type vacuum breakers:
	2 inch (21 mm) diameter and smaller	$7.00
	over 2 inch (51 mm diameter)	$15.00
13.	For each:
	Graywater system	$200.00
	Nonpotable Reuse Water System
	Rainwater Harvesting System
14.	For initial installation and testing for a reclaimed water system.	$200.00
15.	For each annual cross-connection testing of a reclaimed water system (excluding initial test).	$200.00
16.	For each medical gas piping system serving one to five inlet(s)/outlet(s).	$50.00
17.	For each additional medical gas inlet(s)/outlet(s).	$5.00
18.	For the complete water distribution and drain waste and vent system installed concurrently with the initial construction of a single-family dwelling, and each unit in a duplex.	$105.00

Table 17C.10-1-E. Mechanical Permit Fees
Permit Issuance
1.	For the issuance of each permit.	$50.00
2.	For issuing each supplemental permit.	$25.00
Unit Fee Schedule
1.	For the installation or relocation of each forced-air or gravity-type furnace or burner, including ducts and vents attached to such appliance up to and including 100,000 Btu/h.	$14.80
2.	For the installation or relocation of each forced air or gravity-type furnace or burner, including ducts and vents attached to each appliance over 100,000 Btu/h.	$18.20
3.	For the installation or relocation of each floor furnace, including vent.	$14.80
4.	For the installation or relocation of each suspended heater, recessed wall heater or floor-mounted unit heater.	$14.80
5.	For the installation, relocation or replacement of each appliance vent installed and not included in an appliance permit.	$ 7.25
6.	For the repair of, alteration of, or addition to each heating appliance, refrigeration cooling unit, absorption unit, or evaporative cooling system, including installation of controls regulated by this Code.	$13.70
7.	For the installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor to and including three horsepower, or each absorption system including 100,000 Btu/h.	$14.70
8.	For the installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor over three horsepower to and including 15 horsepower, or each absorption system over 100,000 Btu/h.	$27.15
9.	For the installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor over 15 horsepower to and including 30 horsepower, or each absorption system over 500,000 Btu/h to and including 1,750,000 Btu/h.	$37.25
10.	For the installation or relocation of each boiler or compressor over 30 horsepower to and including 50 horsepower, or for each absorption system over 1,000,000 Btu/h to and including 1,750,000 Btu/h.	$55.45
11.	For the installation or relocation of each boiler or refrigeration compressor over 50 horsepower, or each absorption system over 1,750,000 Btu/h.	$92.65
12.	For each air-handling unit to and including 10,000 cubic feet per minute, including ducts attached thereto.	$10.65
	Note: This fee shall not apply to an air-handling unit which is a portion of a factory-assembled appliance, cooling unit, evaporative cooler or absorption unit for which a permit is required elsewhere in this Code.
13.	For each air-handling unit over 10,000 cfm.	$18.10
14.	For each evaporative cooler other than portable type.	$10.65
15.	For each ventilation fan connected to a single duct.	$7.25
16.	For each ventilation system which is not a portion of any heating or air-conditioning system authorized by a permit.	$10.65
17.	For the installation of each hood which is served by mechanical exhaust, including the ducts for such hood.	$10.65
18.	For the installation or relocation of each domestic-type incinerator.	$18.20
19.	For the installation or relocation of each commercial or industrial-type incinerator.	$14.50
20.	For each appliance or piece of equipment regulated by this code but not classed in other appliance categories, or for which no other fee is listed in this Code.	$10.65
21.	When Appendix B, Chapter 13 is applicable (see Section 103), permit fees for fuel-gas piping shall be as follows:
	For each gas-piping system of one to four outlets	$ 5.00
	For each gas-piping system of five or more outlets, per outlet	$ 1.50
22.	When Appendix B, Chapter 14 is applicable (see Section 103), permit fees for process piping shall be as follows:
	For each hazardous process piping system (HPP) of one to four outlets	$ 8.05
	For each piping system of five or more outlets, per outlet	$ 1.75
	For each nonhazardous process piping system (NPP) of one to four outlets	$ 3.25
	For each piping system of five or more outlets, per outlet	$ 1.00
23.	For the complete heating and ventilation system equipment, including State of Washington ventilation requirements and gas piping system if needed, installed concurrently with t he initial construction of a single-family dwelling, and each unit in a duplex.	$50.00

Table 17C.10-1-F. Fire Protection Permits
Fire protection systems as required by the International Building or International Fire Code shall require permits, plan review fees and payment of inspection fees in accordance with this Table.
Types of Fire Protection Systems				Plan Review	Inspection
A.	Fire alarm, new or additions, and sprinkler supervision
	1.	Base Fee		$330.00	$330.00
	2.	New or Additional Devices over 25		$7.50 per device	$2.50 per device
	3.	One- and two-family dwellings		$66.00	$198.00
B.	Fire Sprinkler Systems 13 & 13-R (Fees not to exceed $20,000)
	1.	Each new riser		$330.00 +$3.75/head	$192.50 +$2.75/head
	2.	Sprinkler underground		$132.00	$330.00
	3.	Revisions to existing systems		$132.00 + $3.75/head	$151.80
	4.	High-piled stock or rack storage systems, add to riser fee		$350.00	$118.00
	5.	13-D Sprinkler Systems		$132.00 + $3.75/head	$184.80
C.	Standpipe Systems
	1.	Each new Class 1, 2, or 3		$275.00	$275.00
D.	Fire Pumps			$500.00	$460.00
E.	Fire Suppression Systems			$275.00	$275.00
F.	Fixed Fire Suppression System			$275.00	$275.00
G.	Water Systems
	1.	Hydrant installation on existing main:
		a.	Building permit (1)	$140.00	$ 0.00
		b.	Short plats and plats	$140.00	$ 0.00
	2.	Installation of hydrants and mains on utility owned systems:
		a.	Building permit	$140.00	$ 0.00
		b.	Short plats and plats	$302.50	$ 0.00
	3.	Installation of hydrants and mains on privately owned systems:
		a.	without pumps and tanks for fire flow	$275.00	$275.00
		b.	with pumps and tanks for fire flow	$425.00	$425.00
	4.	Bond or assignment of funds		$175.00
H.	Reinspection (1) all categories				$132.00
I.	Expedited review at discretion of the Fire Marshal			2x the base fee	2x the base fee
(1) Refer to PCC 17C.10.090, Reinspection Fee, for explanation of when to assess fee.

Table 17C.10-1-G. Other Fees
These fees apply to all permits issued by the Building Inspection Division of Planning and Public Works.
1.	Inspections outside of normal business hours.	$140.00 per hour (minimum two hours)
2.	Reinspection fees assessed under provisions of PCC 17C.10.090.	$110.00
3.	Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated.	$100.00* per hour (minimum one hour)
4.	Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to approved plans.	$100.00* per hour (minimum one hour)
5.	Expedited review at discretion of Building Official. Building Division Third Party Review	$140.00 per hour $124.00 per hour plus reprographics
6.	For use of outside consultants for plan checking and inspection, or both.	Actual cost (including overhead)
7.	Demolition.	$150.00
8.	Moved Buildings and for the placement of Modular Buildings and Foundation Ready Manufactured Homes.	One-half of the required building permit fee in Tables 17C.10-1-A or 1-B
9.	Placement of Manufactured Homes.	$200.00
10.	Swimming Pools.
	In-ground pool Above-ground pool (Cost > $500.00) Above-ground pool (Cost < $500.00)	$200.00 $100.00 $ 50.00
11.	For a gas or electric water heater permit obtained through the Internet online system. Includes venting and gas and water piping.	$75.00
12.	For a gas or electric furnace permit obtained through the Internet online system. Includes venting and gas piping.	$75.00
* Per hour for each hour worked.

EXCEPTIONS:

B. Low Income. Permit fees in building Tables 17C.10-1-B and 1-C, plumbing Table 17C.10-1 D, mechanical Table 17C.10-1-E and fire suppression Table 17C.10-1-F for the construction, alteration, or repair of one-family or two-family dwellings shall be waived when the applicant provides sufficient documentation showing, to the satisfaction of the Building Official, who shall make written findings, that one of the following conditions exist:

1. The one-family or two-family dwelling is intended for low-income families as defined through the low-income guidelines set forth by the Pierce County Development of Community Services and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The construction, alteration, or repair of the one-family or two-family dwelling involves some volunteer labor and is being coordinated by an organization classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service; or

2. Any new residential unit approved by the Department of Planning and Public Works through the requirements of Chapter 18A.65 PCC, "Affordable Housing Incentives," provided sufficient funds have been appropriated by the Pierce County Council and are available for transfer to the Department of Planning and Public Works to replace those fees waived or refunded to the builder/developer.

C. Natural Hazard Damage. Permit fees in building Tables 17C.10-1-A, 1-B and 1-C, plumbing Table 17C.10-1-D, mechanical Table 17C.10-1-E and fire suppression Table 17C.10-1-F for the repair and restoration of damage due to natural hazards shall be waived or deferred if all the following conditions are met:

1. Upon a declaration of emergency, issued by the Governor of the State of Washington, the Executive of Pierce County, by executive order, may implement the provisions of this Section.

2. Applications for permits for repair damage under the provisions of this Section must be applied for within 180 days of the declaration of emergency.

3. No expansion of the original building area shall be allowed.

Building owners with insurance coverage will be required to pay all fees upon reimbursement by the insurance carrier.

When the total amount of fees waived exceeds 1 percent of the total budget for Planning and Public Works, the department shall notify the Executive, and shall prepare a supplemental budget request.

D. Green Building. A permit applicant who employs sustainable building practices in the construction of a residential structure shall be eligible for up to a 25 percent refund of the permit fee calculated and paid for said structure pursuant to Table 17C.10-1-B when all of the following requirements are met:

1. The structure receiving the fee reduction receives one of the following certifications within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of occupancy:

a. Tacoma-Pierce County Built GreenÆ program – 4 or 5 star certification; or

b. U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes – Gold or Platinum certification.

2. The applicant submits a written request to the Building Official within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of occupancy which requests the refund and provides proof of certification required pursuant to 17C.10.070 D.1.a. above.

3. The maximum fee refund shall not exceed 25 percent of the permit fee calculated pursuant to Table 17C.10-1-B or $350.00 whichever is less.

4. The total amount of all refunds granted by the Planning and Public Works Department pursuant to Subsection 17C.10.070 D. have not exceeded $25,000 for the current fiscal year. In the event that this threshold is achieved, no further applicant shall be eligible for a refund in that fiscal year.