Bainbridge Island permit guide
Do you need a permit for a home addition on Bainbridge Island?
Quoted from Bainbridge Island's own pages, with the date we read them: October 13, 2026.
Short answer
Permit required
The City of Bainbridge Island's "When Do I Need a Building Permit?" handout says a building permit is required before any construction work involving framing, sheetrock, insulation or new construction work. The handout does not use the word "addition", but an addition is framed, insulated new construction, which is what that sentence names. The Building Division adds that "Permits are required for most construction activities on Bainbridge Island." Source [1]Source [2]
The rule, quoted
From the "When Do I Need a Building Permit?" handout:
A building permit is required before any construction work or activity involving framing, sheetrock, insulation or other types of remodel or new construction work.
From the Building Division page:
Permits are required for most construction activities on Bainbridge Island.
What to submit
The Permitting page says a complete application "will include" the following. Source [3]
- Assessor's Tax Parcel Number Source [3]
- Owner information: name, address, phone number and email address Source [3]
- Project site address Source [3]
- Contractor information, including the contractor license number Source [3]
- Submittals: "Supporting documents, including Site Plan, Plan Sets, and other required information." Source [3]
Worth knowing
- "The required permits must be approved and issued before beginning project activities." Source [2]
- The handout says "All development within 200’ of ordinary high water requires the submittal of a Shoreline Substantial Development Exemption prior to the submission of a building permit." Source [1]
- "The timeline for the initial review of building permit applications is generally 30 days from the date a submitted application is deemed 'complete'." Source [2]
- The Building Division says "The Department of Labor and Industries is responsible for electrical permits." Source [2]
Sources
Where this comes from
Compiled from Bainbridge Island's published rules; last checked
JKM pulls the permit as part of the job
Call Ian Laughlin at (206) 226-1988, or send the address and the scope. We find the right office and take it from there.