Do You Need a Permit to Renovate Your Gig Harbor Home?

Get expert advice from Gig Harbor Architects

Looking to renovate your Gig Harbor house but not sure if you need a permit? This article will explain when you will or won’t need a construction permit for your renovation, and share the overall process for Gig Harbor and Unincorporated Pierce County residents.

Gig Harbor vs Pierce County

The first step is to determine which jurisdiction you fall under. Most of the people who live in Gig Harbor addresses do NOT live in the City of Gig Harbor. The City of Gig Harbor is a small city within Pierce County, and the surrounding properties with Gig Harbor addresses are actually governed by unincorporated Pierce County when it comes to building and renovating. Here is the lowdown direct from our architectural experience.

The blue line is the City of Gig Harbor limits. All the surrounding areas with Gig Harbor addresses should refer to the Pierce County Building Department for their permit requirements.

Not sure? The Interactive City Boundary Map will help you to clarify whether your residence or business is located within the City of Gig Harbor limits or in unincorporated Pierce County. If you need more information contact Patty McGallian or call 253-853-7621.

And if you’re an investor or developer, know that as of March 8, 2023, the city IS allowing short term rentals. You must file an application and meet the city’s requirements to do so.

Gig Harbor Renovations

OK, so you determined you live in the Gig Harbor city limits and you’re wondering if your renovation needs a permit. Consider reaching out to local Gig Harbor architects like Andrew Mikhael to help you navigate the permitting process.

• Are you building an addition?

• Are you moving, removing, or adding interior walls?

• Are you doing a bathroom remodel and moving (even slightly) any plumbing fixture locations?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you DO need a permit for your Gig Harbor renovation project. 

New Homes, Additions, & Exterior Renovations in Gig Harbor Must Follow Design Standards

On top of building codes and energy codes, The City of Gig Harbor has a set of design standards that are intended to ensure that new homes in the city complement the existing character of the community. These standards address a variety of factors, including the size and scale of homes, the materials used in construction, and the overall appearance of the homes. 

The Design Standards book has a lot of detailed requirements. There are circumstances where you might not read things right or see how it all connects, and so we recommend that you consult with your architect. We’ve had clients who wanted to build to a certain height and the building codes allowed it, but digging deeper into the design standards overlaid with their location as a view home, we discovered that they could not. It pays to figure these things out EARLY in the design process.

Some of the key design standards for home construction in Gig Harbor include:

• Homes should be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood in terms of size, scale, and materials.

• Homes should be designed to blend in with the natural environment.

• Homes should have a variety of architectural styles to create a diverse and interesting community.

• Homes should be designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable.

The City of Gig Harbor's design standards are enforced through the permitting process. When you apply for a building permit for a new home, your plans will be reviewed to ensure that they meet the design standards. If your plans do not meet the standards, you will be required to make changes before your permit is approved.

Here are some additional resources where you can learn more about the City of Gig Harbor's design standards for home construction:

• City of Gig Harbor Design Standards: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/226/Design-Standards-Overview

• Gig Harbor Design Manual: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/DocumentCenter/View/3728/Gig-Harbor-Design-Manual

• Building Permits: https://www.cityofgigharbor.net/210/Building-Codes-Standards

Pierce County Renovations

Now, renovating a Gig Harbor house under Pierce County jurisdiction is a whole other animal.

You CAN remove an interior wall under certain circumstances without a permit. It must not affect any structural component, reduce egress, or natural lighting requirements.

Additions do require permits. Small, one story detached accessory buildings do not.

Any plumbing work, including like-for-like replacement, requires a permit. But hey, you can install an oil derrick without a permit, so there’s that. Check out this bulletin for a complete list of permit-exempt work.

Finding an Architect

If you're not sure if you need a permit for your renovation or if you need help with the permitting process, you may want to consider hiring an architect. An architect can help you to understand the permit requirements and can prepare the necessary plans and documentation.

If you're planning to renovate your Gig Harbor home, it's important to understand the permit requirements. By following the guidelines, you can help to ensure that your renovation is safe, up to code, and meets the standards of your local community.

Schedule your call

with Andrew Mikhael Architect in Gig Harbor, WA, for expert architectural assistance tailored to your renovation project.

Andrew Mikhael Architect

Gig Harbor WA