Small Residential Additions and Remodels

Small Residential Additions and Remodels include:

• Small Additions that do not alter a critical area or buffer and result in:
  • Less than 500 square feet of new/expanded building footprint
  • Less than 500 square feet of new impervious surface

If your project meets the criteria above, an Intake Screening is not required. If you prefer to have your submittal screened by a representative from each review discipline prior to intake, you can request an Intake Screening. 

Pre-Application Services

Pre-Application Meetings are recommended in the early stages of your plan development process. They are an opportunity to meet with a representative from each of our five review disciplines to gain a better understanding of code requirements that can influence the design of your project. Understanding the City’s residential development standards, stormwater, tree protection, and fire access requirements early on can avoid costly re-design delays later in the project.

Intake Screenings are available to applicants who would like staff to examine submittal documents prior to applying for a building permit.  The purpose is to address issues that may cause delay in processing of an application.  It is an informational step in the process that can identify elements that may be missing from your application.   Intake Screenings are separate from the building permit application submittal.  The applicant will need to upload their permit application documents again, upon completion of the screening, to initiate the permit application process.

Required Forms

1. Building Permit Application
2. Single Family Plan Coversheet
3. Site Development Worksheet
4. Water Meter Sizing Worksheet
5. Fire Area and Valuation Form
6. Tree Inventory and Replacement Submittal Information Form 
   

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   Optional Forms

   1. Intake Screening Request Form
   2. Owner as Contractor (only required if you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor)
   3. Concurrent Review (only required if you are requesting concurrent review of a Land Use action)

Required Documents

Construction Documents - The following items should be merged into a single PDF file for submittal. This package will become your approved drawings set.  Please bookmark each sheet in the plan set (i.e.: A1.1- Site Plan) prior to submittal.  Click here to read our tip sheet on How to Bookmark Plans. 

1. Site Plan
2. Topographic Survey 
3. Foundation Plans
4. Floor Plans
5. Structural Framing Plans
6. Cross Sections
7. Elevations
8. Tree Plan- see the Tree Submittal Checklist for more details.  Click here for more information about Trees & Construction.

Additional details as necessary for the construction of the proposed scope.

Note: All required fire protection systems should be noted in the plan set.

Supplemental Documents - The following, if applicable to the project, should be uploaded as separate clearly named files. These documents support the design proposed in the Construction Documents and will be reviewed concurrently.

1. Geotechnical Report - if work is proposed in a geohazard area
2. Critical Area Study - if work is proposed in a critical area
3. Energy Code Worksheet
4. Structural Calculations
5. Stormwater Report - if Stormwater Permit Review is required 
6. Arborist Report - if removing or working within the drip line of one or more trees
7. Utility Plan 
8. Addition details as necessary for the construction of the proposed scope

How to Apply

Submit your plans, forms, and supplemental documents to the Mercer Island Permit Submittal Portal.  Staff will examine the submitted documents and notify the applicant of "complete" or "incomplete" application status via email.

Related Applications

Many building permit applications are not complete without underlying land use approvals.  These approvals are obtained by applying for separate land use applications.  Many land use applications can be reviewed concurrently with a building permit application if the applicant provides a concurrent review form.