Building & Development
Permits
Building, land-use, sign, and other permits from the City of Sumner: what needs one, what it costs, and how to apply, in one place.
Applications, payments, and inspection requests all run through the City’s self-service permitting system.
What are you trying to do?
- Do I Need a Permit? Quick answers on which home and business projects need a City permit before work starts.
- Apply for a Permit (Self Service) (opens in new tab) Sumner's online permitting system for applying, paying, and tracking building, land-use, and trade permits.
- Permit Fees & Information Fee schedules for building, mechanical, plumbing, sewer, water, storm drainage, right-of-way, and sign permits.
- Download a permit form Building, sign, home occupation, and alarm registration applications.
- Register a business Washington State's Business Licensing Service, the state system Sumner businesses use to register. (opens in new tab)
Do I need a permit?
Permit & development topics
Most building, remodel, and site-development projects touch one or more of these. Each is reviewed by the department listed.
- Zoning (opens in new tab) Development Services Check what a property can be used for under Sumner's zoning code before you start a project.
- Design Review & Design Commission Development Services Design guidelines and the volunteer Design Commission that reviews commercial and Town Center projects.
- Right-of-Way Permits Public Works Permits for work performed in City streets, sidewalks, and other public right-of-way.
- Development Specifications & Standard Details Public Works The City's engineering standards and standard details for new development.
- Comprehensive Plan (opens in new tab) Community & Economic Development The Growth Management Act plan guiding land use, housing, and capital facilities citywide, most recently amended January 2026.
- Shoreline Master Program (opens in new tab) Community & Economic Development Rules governing development along the White and Puyallup River shorelines.
- SEPA Environmental Review Community & Economic Development State Environmental Policy Act review for qualifying development and capital projects.
- Design & Development Guidelines Development Services Citywide and Town Center design guidance for new construction.
Fees
Permit fees
Permit fees are set by City Council and published in one fee schedule, covering building, mechanical, plumbing, right-of-way, sewer, storm drainage, water, land-use, and traffic-impact permits. Fees in the schedule are informational: your exact cost is confirmed when your permit is issued, and City staff can help you estimate it before you apply.
For example, a building permit for a project valued between $9,001 and $10,000 runs $181.25 in permit fee plus $117.81 in plan review fee, from the adopted fee schedule.
Construction hours in Sumner are limited: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Forms
Permit forms & applications
Download and complete these before you visit or apply online.
- Building Permit Application: Single Family (PDF)Form · UndatedThe application form to start a single-family building permit.
- Building Permit Application: Multifamily (PDF)Form · UndatedThe application form to start a multi-family building permit.
- Sign Permit Application (PDF)Form · UndatedThe application form for a business or building sign permit.
- Home Occupation Permit Form (PDF)Form · UndatedThe application to run a home-based business under Sumner's home occupation rules.
- Burglar Alarm Registration / License Application (PDF)Form · UndatedThe one-time $25 registration form for a residential or commercial security alarm, with a waiver for seniors 65 and up.
Plans & maps
Zoning, comprehensive plan & shoreline maps
The policy documents behind Sumner’s zoning, land-use, and shoreline decisions.
- Sumner Zoning Map (November 2025) (PDF, opens in new tab)Map · 2025Sumner's current citywide zoning map.
- City of Sumner Comprehensive Plan (Amended January 2026) (PDF, opens in new tab)Plan · 2026The Growth Management Act plan guiding land use, housing, and capital facilities citywide.
- Shoreline Master Program (2020) (PDF, opens in new tab)Plan · 2020Rules for development along the White and Puyallup River shorelines.
Questions
Ask Development Services
Reach the department that reviews building, land-use, and sign permits directly.
Doug Beagle, Development Services Director
253-299-5715
· dougb@sumnerwa.gov
City Hall is open in person Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; by phone and email Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-Noon.