Please be alert for fraudulent emails impersonating the City of Federal Way that request payment for permits through wire transfers.
The City will not unexpectedly request that payments be made by wire transfer based solely on an email. If you receive a suspicious message requesting payment, do not send money, click links, open attachments, or provide sensitive information.
Instead, verify the request directly with the Permit Center by calling 253-835-2607 or emailing permitcenter@federalwaywa.gov. When in doubt, report the suspicious email to your IT or security team
Welcome to the City of Federal Way's Permit Center!
City Hall is open to the public and our staff are here to assist with the process of application, review, issuance, and inspection of proposed land use and construction activities that require permits and to answer questions about code requirements. Staff is currently available between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The Permit Center is closed to the public on Wednesdays.
Staff is also able to serve customers by email permitcenter@federalwaywa.gov or by phone (253)835-2607.
All applications that require review must be submitted electronically. To apply, first request a Document Upload Link. We will then set up a file for your project and send you a link for submitting your application materials. You will not receive the link immediately – it can take a few days to process your request. Please be very detailed when completing the link request to avoid delays in processing.
The Permit Center, as well as the rest of City Hall, is closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Links & Resources
- Document Upload Link - Request a link to upload documents for Electronic Plan Review.
- Building Permits - Application and informational handouts for Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Demolition and Fire Prevention permits.
- Sign Permits and Codes - Information, applications, and handouts relating to the requirements and restrictions for signage.
- Land Use Permits - Application and informational handouts for Land Use permits including site plan review, environmental review, critical areas review, subdivisions, shoreline permits, etc.
- My Building Permit - Apply online for residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits, and most commercial electrical permits.
- E-Permits Archive - Use only for past residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits, and most commercial electrical permits submitted.
- Construction Codes adopted by the City of Federal Way
- Residential Permit Exemptions
- Commercial Permit Exemptions
- Inspections - Information on how to schedule inspections.
- Property Parcel View & Numbers through King County
- Property parcel numbers can be found by using the City's maps, searching King County's Parcel Viewer, or contacting the Permit Center by email or by phone at 253-835-2607
Annual Permit Report 2025
|
Summary Report Table |
||||||
| Permit Type | Total number of decisions | Number of permits reviewed under a consolidated process | Number of permits reviewed separately | Average calendar days to process (without pauses) | Average calendar days of review (with pauses) | Number of decisions exceeding the deadline |
| Preliminary Subdivision |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
| Final Subdivision |
1 |
1 |
0 |
160 |
160 |
0 |
| Binding Site Plan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
| Multifamily Housing Permit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
| Construction Permit |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
| Total |
1 |
1 |
0 |
160 |
160 |
0 |
Annual Permit Report 2024
| Summary Report Table | ||||||
| Permit Type | Total number of decisions | Number of permits reviewed under a consolidated process | Number of permits reviewed separately | Average calendar days to process (with pauses) | Average calendar days of review (without pauses) | Number of decisions exceeding the deadline |
| Preliminary Subdivision | 1 | 0 | 1 | 840 | 389 | 0 |
| Final Subdivision | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Binding Site Plan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multifamily Housing Permit | 1 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 89 | 0 |
| Construction Permit | 1 | 0 | 1 | 126 | 102 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 3 | 364 | 193 | 0 |
Records Requests
If you would like to view or receive copies of records relating to a past or current project, you can submit a Public Records Request to the Public Records Request Center.
Right-of-Way Permits
Right-of-Way permits are processed by the Public Works Department and can be accessed by clicking on this link.