Simple Residential Projects - OTC
At this time, over the counter building permit review is not available. Simple Residential Building Permits can be submitted electronically for express routing. To submit your application, follow the steps below. Labeling your project folder with "EXPRESS" will help ensure express routing.
For more information regarding the latest facility and program information, follow this link.
Simple Residential Projects include:
- Non-Structural Interior Remodels
- Basic Decks (decks not located in geologically hazardous areas, or within critical area buffers)
- Skylights or Simple Window / Door sizing changes
- Minor Repairs
Prepare for Review:
Your plan(s), permit forms, and supplemental information to allow for electronic plan review.
Select a contractor, unless you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor, and confirm they have a Mercer Island Business License.
Required Forms
All forms below are required to be submitted with your application, unless otherwise noted:
- Application Form - Include an estimated project valuation (labor and materials) at the top of this form.
- Single Family Plan Coversheet - This form is required for ALL residential building permit applications.
- Fire Area and Valuation Form - Fill in the square footage of the existing house on page two. This information is needed to determine whether the Fire Marshal will need to review your application.
- Water Meter Sizing Worksheet - This form is required if you are adding any additional plumbing fixtures or re-piping more than 1 bathroom or kitchen. Include all plumbing fixtures for the entire house on this form.
- Site Development Information (Worksheet) - This form is required if you are making changes outside the existing exterior envelope of the house or adding additional square footage to the home.
If you are replacing an existing deck or adding a new deck, the following sections of the Site Development worksheet are required: Lot Slope, Lot Coverage Calculations, and Hard scape. Other sections may be left blank if they do not apply to the project.
Note - most projects that add square footage or include changes outside of the exterior envelope of the house will be routed through the Small Residential Additions and Remodels process. - Owner as Contractor - This form is required if you are a homeowner acting as your own contractor.
Required Documents
Construction documents must provide:
- A floor plan and clearly identify the area of work.
- An exterior site plan if exterior elements will be impacted that show or demonstrate the relationship between site features and property lines.
- Details to demonstrate code compliance such as: framing plans, connections, guards, handrails, general structural notes, energy details etc. Include enough detail so that someone unfamiliar with the project could build it, and ensure code compliance.
Formatting a plan set:
- All plan sheets should be formatted to print to scale on 11"x17" (or larger) paper. Select a plan sheet size that will be legible when printed.
- Merge all plan sheets into one PDF document.
- Ensure that the owner name and site address are on all plan sheets.
- Ensure that the scale of each plan sheet is noted.
- Add a north arrow to each plan sheet.
How to Apply
Upload submittal documents to the Mercer Island Permit Submittal Portal.
Additional Information
Complex projects are not eligible for express review, and will be routed for the standard review process. Examples of such permits might include:
- Structurally complex remodels.
- A project with modifications outside the existing building envelope that requires a detailed Land Use review.
- A project that requires a separate Land Use approval (i.e. Critical Area Review or Accessory Dwelling Unit Approval, etc.).
- A project requiring review by the City Arborist or Civil Engineering Department.
For information on target times and review please click here.
