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Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.

Community Planning and Economic Development

If you submit an application to Thurston County government, county codes may require the county to inspect the property and the project.
 

How to know if you need county inspections

  • A property gets county inspections if its mapped with regulated environments. Go to Look Up My Property to check. 
  • A project gets county inspection if it includes any construction, mechanical/plumbing, adding structures, septic work (add, replace, repair).
  • Other, special property and project inspections & reports by independent experts that you hire may be needed to meet environmental, septic, stormwater, & well regulations.

What happens during an inspections

Staff visit in person for an on-property look at protected environmental areas, construction sites, septic, building placement, construction progress, stormwater & erosion control measures and other things required by code.
 

Inspection fees

  • Fee information is on the Fee Information page.
  • The county accepts payment by check or credit card (transaction fees apply).
  • Reinspection fees apply if inspectors can't access your property or project for a scheduled inspection, and if permits, plans aren't visible, and if requested corrections aren't complete.

Inspection scheduling

 

List of permit-related inspections

  1. Regulated Environmental Areas (Critical Areas, Habitat Conservation Plan, Land Use, Shorelines)
  2. Septic, On-site Sewage & Well 
    • County staff do these inspections after you submit septic and well permits. They typically don't need to schedule with you.
    • Flag the corners of your lot to prepare. 
    • Staff come on site to test soils, check site conditions or geography, examine existing wells or septic systems and other things related to your application.
    • You may need to hire experts to prepare septic or well reports. If so, submit all reports before any ground-disturbing work begins. 
    • Find details at Septic, Well & Water, Sewer.
  3. Building & Construction Sites 
    • You schedule your own county inspections after you receive a permit and start work. Permit instructions and staff will guide you. 
    • Schedule 1-3 days before you want the inspection. If calling the day before, schedule before 4 p.m.
    • There are multiple building and construction site inspections. They're done as project kicks off, during and after construction. 
    • Find details at Building & Construction Site Inspections
  4. Driveway, Road Access, Clearing & Grading - These are called Development Review Inspections

 

 

The County's Elected Officials Adopt All Codes & Authorize Staff Inspection Requirements
All County Codes, inspection requirements and procedures are reviewed or adopted by the County's elected officials, the Board of County Commissioners before being implemented.