How Do I Apply for a Permit?

Permit applications can be submitted and viewed through the Citizen Portal. You must be logged in to the Citizen Portal to submit a permit application.

Defining the Permit Application

You will need to define the category and application type prior to filling out the Permit Application Wizard. This will determine the steps that display throughout the application process.

1. Click Go in the My Portal section from the home page.
2. Click Apply in the Apply Online section.
3. Select the appropriate permit category, such as the Building Department.
4. Select the appropriate permit type from the options that appear.
5. Click Next.

Completing the Permit Application Wizard

The steps available in the Permit Application Wizard will be determined based on the application selected above.

Location

The Site Location for the permit can be defined by either an address or a parcel number, if available.

Defining Location by Address

1. Begin entering the Address for this permit and select the correct address from the filtered list. NOTE: If the address is not listed, you will not be able to request a permit for this address, but you can still search by Parcel Number if known. Parcel numbers can usually be provided by Grays Harbor County Parcel Search. If unable to find an address or parcel call the permit counter at 360-537-3217. (Make sure the drop-down list you are picking from is not a browser
   list by picking from blue lettering only.)
2. Click Save and Continue.

Defining Location by Parcel

1. Click enter the parcel number at the bottom of the application.
2. Begin entering the Parcel Number and select the appropriate parcel for this permit. NOTE: If the parcel is not listed, you will not be able to request a permit for this parcel number. Please contact the Permit Center if your address or parcel does not exist.
3. Click Save and Continue.

Confirmation

Now that you have provided the application type and defined the location, you can complete the permit application below in the next tab and submit it for review. If you are applying for a permit that has additional requirements to obtain the permit, you will see a notification here.

• In the confirmation window that appears, click Get Started

All red “Not Complete” and “Asterisk” sections, must be completed before the permit can be submitted.

Contacts

The Contacts section lists any contact associated with your permit application as well as the contact's role. 

Additional contacts can be added if needed.

1. Click Add Contact.
2. In the window that appears, enter the Contact's City.
3. Begin typing in the Contact Name field and select the appropriate contact.
4. Select the role for the contact in the What is their role in the project? drop-down menu. Be sure to check the Portal Access box if they will need to access this permit from the citizen portal.
5. Click Add to My Application.
6. If you can't find the appropriate contact, click I Can't Find My Contact.
7. In the window that appears, enter information in all required fields. Then, click Add to My Application.
   

Contractors

The contractors section is required to pick a contractor or click the box stating no contractor was hired. Read the information listed under this section.

Valuations

The Valuations section lists any valuation associated with your permit application.

This will determine the cost of the permit for most applications. In review of the application, the valuation may be determined to be not in line with the market price. 

The Building Department may change the value of the project to the current market price.

Details

The Details section lists any attributes associated with your permit application. Any value you entered for an attribute during the application process will display here. Each permit type has a separate set of details required.

Fees

The Fees section lists any fees associated with your permit application. You will see each fee, the amount charged, the amount paid, the remaining balance, and the amount that is currently due. As your permit application is processed, other fees may be added to your permit or existing fee amounts may be updated. Plan Review fees are the only fees available to pay before the permit has been approved. Once the plan review has started no refunds will be available for the plan reviews.

• Click Pay Online to pay your fees online.

Fixtures

The fixtures section is only shown for certain permits such as electrical and plumbing. This section will require a quantity of the type of fixture listed.

Inspections

The Inspections section lists any inspections associated with your permit application. You may have the option to click Request Inspection and schedule the inspection. If the inspection has been completed, you can click the documents icon () to view the results.

Inspections are only available to be requested after the permit has been paid for. Inspections may be added or removed during the review of the application. Only request the inspections that pertain to your project.  

Notes

The Notes section lists any notes associated with your permit application. Each note will include the note text and the date the note was created. When the permit application has been approved an invoice link will be emailed to you.  A copy of the invoice will be in this section. When you issue your permit on the portal, a copy of your permit report will be available in the notes section. This will allow you to print a copy of your permit.

Related Permits

Parcels

The Parcels section lists the parcels associated with the permit application. You can click the Parcel number to view information related to the parcel.

Submittals

The Submittals section lists any submittals needed for your permit application. You can see if the submittal is required, if it has been received, the version number, status of the submittal, and how many files have been submitted.

1. Upload submittals by clicking on Files next to the appropriate submittal item.
2. Click the Upload button.
3. Click the Add Files button in the window that appears and choose the file(s) from your computer.
4. Add Comments if necessary.
5. Click the Begin Upload button until a green check mark displays next to the file(s).
6. Click Close.

Permit Associations

Once all required sections on the permit application are completed and display a green checkmark, click Submit Application at the bottom of the page.

Issuing the Permit

If all requirements have been met, you are able to issue your own permit.

If there is a hold on the application or the other required permits have not been issued this may cause you not to be able to issue the permit. Please contact the Permit Center if you are not able to issue the permit after the application has been approved.

1. Click Go in the My Portal section from the home page.
2. Click View Applications in the My Applications section. This will display a list of all applications you have submitted.
3. Navigate to the Permits section and locate the permit to issue. The Status of the permit must be "Ready to Issue".
4. Click the Permit Number in the number column.
5. Click Issue My Permit at the bottom of the screen.
   
6. A confirmation window will appear at the top of the page notifying you that your permit has been issued. The Status of your permit will change to reflect that it has been issued and the updated Issued and Expiration dates will display.