Show All Answers

1. Contractor Requirements

• Contractors must have a Battle Ground Business License or Endorsement and specialty licensing through Labor & Industries. 
• If the contractor needs information regarding their Department of Revenue Licensing, they can apply for it online at: https://dor.wa.gov/
  If there are any questions give the Vancouver DOR office a call, they are very helpful.
  Vancouver Department of Revenue
  8008 NE Fourth Plain Blvd #320, Vancouver, WA 98662
  (360) 256-2060
• Labor and Industries – You can check contractor licensing at: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/
  
  
  • Electrical permits and inspections are handled through Labor and Industries.
    Labor and Industries Department
    312 SE Stone Mill Drive Ste 120
    Vancouver, WA 98/684
    (360) 896-2300

2. Permit Application Process

We now have an online application system called CSS (Customer Self-Service).

• Register for an account (top right hand side of page, click on "Guest")
  
• You will be sent a registration email - if you do not receive the email please check your spam/junk folder. 
  If you still do not receive the email within a day, please email us and let us know at: ComDev.Info@CityofBG.org
• For permits requiring plans - you will need to submit a digital copy on CSS and one physical plan delivered to our office. 
  Please include the permit number assigned to your project when you bring in or mail physical copies to the address under "Contact Us".
• Please visit our Building Application page for more information on application types and submittal requirements.

3. Zoning Information (Lot coverage limits, setbacks, etc)

• Zoning information ie: Lot coverage (how much building – including sheds, tiny homes, etc – you can have on your property), Setbacks (how far your home and accessory structures need to be away from each other and fence/property lines), etc.
  • You can find information by going to the Clark County GIS Property Information Center and searching for your address or parcel number (also known as the “Tax Account”)
  • The Account page shows Subdivision information: 
    

• The “Codes” link directs you to the Battle Ground Municipal Code webpage, which provides additional information regarding your property’s zoning district.
        
• Click on “Residential Districts”
   
• The Battle Ground Municipal Code page provides a variety of information regarding building in Battle Ground.
  
• If you have any questions regarding Title 17 in our Municipal Code, please contact: Planning@CityOfBG.org for more information.

4. Accessory Structures

• Accessory structures may include detached garage, detached carport and patio cover, deck, woodshed, utility building, or gazebo. One story accessory structures such as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses do not require a permit provided that the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet.  Please see the Battle Ground Municipal Code, section 17.135.015 for more information or our Accessory Structure Handout for easy reference. 
  
  
• The Residential Submittal Requirements Checklist (2^ndpage of building application) provides an itemized checklist of documents required for review at the time of submittal. 
  • Additional forms are provided in the building permit application packet are not required for small projects. For example: 
    • Soil Management worksheets and an Erosion Control example. If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Engineering.Inspectors@CityOfBG.org
    • 2018 Washington State Energy Code worksheets: If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Building.Inspection2@CityOfBG.org
• Documents must be filled out and uploaded to the portal at the time of application.
  • Currently we require one physical copy of full-size, to-scale architectural plans. 
  • One physical copy each of all other documents.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"

5. Manufactured/Tiny Home Placement

• Manufactured or Tiny homes being placed in a Mobile Home park or on private property
• The Manufactured Home Placement Application provides an itemized checklist of documents required for review at the time of submittal. Additional required forms are provided in the application packet.
• Also included:
  • Site Plan, if you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Planning@CityOfBG.org
  • Soil Management and Erosion Control
    • These only need to be filled out if placing on private property vs. a mobile home park
    • If you have any questions regarding these documents please contact: Engineering.Inspectors@CityOFBG.org
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
• Fee: Manufactured Home, Review fees, etc, found on our current Fee Schedule.

6. Adult Care Home

• Adult Family Care Facilities are similar to Residential Alterations. 
• The Residential Submittal Requirements Checklist (2^nd page of building application) provides an itemized checklist of documents required for review at the time of submittal. Additional required forms are provided in the building permit application packet. Also included:
  • Soil Management worksheets and an Erosion Control example.
    • Soil Management is not required if no footprint is being added to the home. 
    • If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Engineering.Inspectors@CityOfBG.org
  • 2018 Washington State Energy Code worksheets
  • If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Building.Inspection2@CityOfBG.org
• Adult Family Home Worksheet (required by Washington State)
• Documents must be filled out and uploaded to the portal at the time of application.
  • Currently we require one physical copy of full-size, to-scale architectural plans showing what is currently there and what will be changed. 
  • One copy each of all other applicable documents.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
• Fee based on valuation.

7. Demolition Permit

• All demolition work requires a permit and must have written approval from the SWCAA (Southwest Clean Air Agency). 
• A Demolition Application, site plan depicting all structures on property, and location(s) of demolition.
• Fee: Demolition Permit found on our current Fee Schedule.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"

8. Driveway/Approach

• Only one driveway per lot is allowed unless approval is granted by the building and engineering department for a second driveway. Maximum single-family residential driveway width is 25’ for a two-car garage, and 35’ for a three-car garage, or fifty percent of the lot frontage, whichever is less. Please see the Battle Ground Municipal Code, Section 12.116.243 for more information
• ROW Application, please upload a copy to your online application. 
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"

9. Fence/Retaining Walls

• Fence standards:
  • No fence may be higher than 42" may be built within the required front yard setback. 
  • Maximum allowed side & rear fence height is 6’. 
  • The structural posts & framing members of the fence must be facing the interior of the lot. 
  • Fences & retaining walls 42” or less in height do not require a permit, unless such wall is structurally supporting a surcharge.
    • A “surcharge” on a retaining wall is any load in addition to level grade, within that area defined by a 45 degree angle from the bottom of the footing to level grade.
  • Please refer to our Municipal Code 17.135.080 or for easy reference we have a Residential Fence handout.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"

10. HVAC/Plumbing

• Repair or replacement of HVAC, furnace, plumbing repair & replacement requires a permit.
  • If HVAC/plumbing work is part of an alteration, it shall be included in the Residential alteration permit.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
• Please see our fee schedule for Mechanical & Plumbing permit fees. 

11. Planter Strip Tree Removal/Replacement

The responsibility for maintenance, watering, and general upkeep of most planter strips within the City are the responsibility of the private property owner directly abutting the sidewalk abutting the planter strip or directly abutting the planter strip pursuant to BGMC 12.110.090. The abutting property owner, at their cost, must replace any dead trees, shrubs, or plants. 

• Shrubs, plants, and ground cover may be removed by a homeowner for planter strips for which they have maintenance responsibilities without a permit.
  • Some type of covering, other than bare dirt, is required.
• No tree shall be removed from a planter strip without a Right-Of-Way Permitfrom the Engineering Division. Removal of trees will only be allowed under the following circumstances:
  • The tree is dead
  • The tree interferes with underground or overhead utilities
  • The tree impedes sight distance
  • The tree has the ability to harm the life, health, or safety of the public
• If trees are permitted to be removed, they must be replaced with a tree from the City’s Approved Tree List unless not required through the permit.
• Our Tree Planting Handout will guide you on tree height, planting depth, etc. 
• ROW Application, please upload a copy to your online application. 
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"

12. POD (Portable On-Demand Storage)

• A permit is not required for PODS that are placed on residential property for 30 days or less.
  • PODS shall be placed on a driveway or other paved surface on property.
  • At no time shall the POD block pedestrian sidewalks; however, it can be placed curbside in a legal parking area with a ROW (right of way) permit & a fee.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
  • Please upload your ROW permit application during the online process.
  • We will need a plot plan showing POD placement. 
• ROW fee: Please see our Fee Schedule

13. Residential Alteration

• An addition or alteration is considered to be an alteration to the house itself.
  • This may include:
    • Wall removal
    • Wall addition
    • Room addition
    • Window and/or door addition/replacement
    • Converting a garage to a habitable space
    • House remodel with changes to structural members
• The Residential Submittal Requirements Checklist (2^nd page of building application) provides an itemized checklist of documents required for review at the time of submittal. Additional required forms are provided in the building permit application packet. Also included:
  • Soil Management worksheets and an Erosion Control example.
    • Soil Management is not required if no footprint is being added to the home. 
    • If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Engineering.Inspectors@CityOfBG.org
  • 2018 Washington State Energy Code worksheets.
    • If you have any questions regarding these documents, please contact: Building.Inspection2@CityOfBG.org
• Documents must be filled out and uploaded to the portal at the time of application.
  • Currently we require one physical copy of full-size, to-scale architectural plans showing what is currently there and what will be changed. 
  • One copy each of all other applicable documents.
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
• Fee based on valuation.

14. Swimming Pool/Spa

• A permit is not required for wading pools less than 12” in depth, or “storable” swimming pools holding a maximum depth of 48”.
  • Swimming pool shall meet setback standards for accessory structures. 
• Documents must be filled out and uploaded to the portal at the time of application.
  • Currently we require one physical copy of plans in addition to the digital upload.
  • One copy each of all other applicable documents.
  • Pool Permit Application
  • Manufacturer’s specifications, installation requirements & pool brochure
  • Plot plan indicating proposed location of pool, property lines, structures & full detail of existing barrier (fencing) surrounding pool.
    • If no existing barrier, please indicate proposed barrier
    • For reference: Sample plot plan
• Applying for a permit see: "Permit Application Process"
• Please see our Fee Schedule for current Private swimming pool/Private spa fees