Kirkland residential permits, approved faster.
We know how the City's Planning and Building Department reviews residential projects, from over-the-counter permits to full plan review, so your ADU, addition, remodel or deck gets to approval with less back and forth.
- Permit specialists who know local code and zoning
- We prepare and submit your application through MyBuildingPermit.com
- In-house permit drawings at a fraction of traditional firm costs
- Free revisions until your permit is approved
Call today: (206) 312-2992
Evergreen Permits is a private residential permit service, not part of the City of Kirkland or any government agency.
Kirkland's permit specialists
Evergreen Permits is a team of architectural designers and permit specialists helping homeowners, contractors and architects. We do one thing exceptionally well: permits. No upsells, no construction services, just permits done right.
200+
Projects completed
5.0
Star Google rating
10+
Years experience
99%
Approval success rate
What do Kirkland homeowners worry about most when getting a permit?
We hear the same three questions on almost every project. Here are straight answers.
How long will this take?
The City sorts permits into review tracks: about a day over the counter, about a week for Express, about two weeks for Fast Track, and a variable timeline for Regular review. We match your project to a track up front, so you know whether to plan for days or weeks.
See review times →Will the City send my plans back?
Kirkland's tree code, energy code requirements and, inside the Goat Hill overlay, an extra surcharge all shape a project. We check your property first, send a complete package through MyBuildingPermit.com, and revise for free until you're approved.
See what the City looks at →How much are permit fees?
The City builds your fee from your project's value, then adds a 65% plan review fee, an energy code fee, a state surcharge and a 3.5% technology fee. We explain which pieces apply to you, and our free calculator gives you a planning range.
Estimate your permit fees →How does Evergreen Permits make permitting easier?
We've permitted remodels across the city, and we know what the Development Services Center looks for. Here is how we take the weight off your shoulders.
- We scope your project against the City's review tracks, so you know early whether to expect days or weeks.
- We submit complete packages through MyBuildingPermit.com, so plan review starts clean.
- We answer every comment and revise for free until your permit is approved.
Consult
A free call to scope your project and flag what the City will require.
We prepare
Zoning and tree checks, plus permit-ready drawings in-house.
Submit & manage
We submit through MyBuildingPermit.com and respond to every review comment.
Get approved
Free revisions until your permit is issued, and support through inspections.
What can Evergreen Permits help you permit in Kirkland?
From a living room remodel to a backyard cottage, we prepare the drawings, submit through MyBuildingPermit.com and manage every review round until you're approved.
What are the building permit requirements in Kirkland?
What the City looks at on a residential permit, and the items that most often shape a project's scope, timeline and cost.
Zoning & setbacks
Setbacks, lot coverage and height vary by zone. We check your parcel before drawing.
Review track
Over the counter, Express, Fast Track or Regular: your project's scope decides how long review takes. We tell you early which track to expect.
Over-the-counter work
Door and window replacement, damage repairs and single-family trade work can be turned around in about a day.
Express & Fast Track
One-story additions up to 500 sq ft with no heated space qualify for Express, and additions up to 50% of the existing home for Fast Track.
Tree management
The City's tree code regulates removal and replacement on private property. Pruning is exempt.
ADUs & DADUs
Creating or registering an ADU needs a permit. The City also offers pre-approved DADU plans the City has already reviewed.
Structural & energy
Energy code compliance carries its own fee. Additions need structural details, and we bring in engineers when needed.
Trade permits
We prepare the main building permit. Your trades handle their own mechanical, plumbing and electrical permits.
Who handles building permits in Kirkland, and how long does it take?
Who issues it
Planning & Building
City of Kirkland. Apply on MyBuildingPermit.com. Development Services: 425-587-3600.
Visit Development Services →Review time
1 day to 2 weeks
City targets: over the counter about 1 day, Express about 1 week, Fast Track about 2 weeks. Regular review varies.
Review times →Faster path
OTC
Door and window replacement, repairs and single-family trade work in about a day.
What needs a permit →Sources: City of Kirkland Planning and Building. Review times are the City's targets. Figures reviewed October 2026.
Kirkland projects we've taken to approval
Opening up a home for natural light
This interior remodel reshaped the main living space, adding vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows without disturbing the home's structural bones. We documented existing conditions, built the drawing set, and carried the project through plan review to final approval.
Our role: existing-conditions documentation, permit drawings and plan review management.
What do King County homeowners say about Evergreen Permits?
Real reviews behind our 5-star Google rating.
“I hired Evergreen Permits to help with the permitting process for my home renovation. They handled the paperwork and guided me through the city requirements, which made the whole process much easier…”
Read full review on Google →“Benjamin and his team have been an absolute pleasure to work with on the design and permitting of our custom DADU in Edmonds. Our particular style of project and site required a significant amount of creativity & thoughtfulness…”
Read full review on Google →“I've worked with Benjamin and the team at Evergreen Permits across a variety of projects over the years, and they continue to be an invaluable asset to our business. Evergreen Permits consistently makes the experience smooth, organized, and hassle-free…”
Read full review on Google →Why do Kirkland homeowners choose Evergreen Permits?
We built Evergreen Permits around a simple idea: residential permitting should be easier to understand and more affordable to navigate. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Permit specialists in Kirkland
Our team specializes in permit assistance in Kirkland. A project coordinator manages everything for you, so you do not have to worry about a thing.
Free revisions until approval
We support you through every correction and resubmittal, and revisions are free until your permit is approved.
Permits are all we do
No construction services and no upsells. Our only job is getting your permit approved.
Drawings done in-house
Permit-ready drawings and site plans from our own team, at a fraction of the cost of traditional firms.
Simple for you
We guide you through scanning your home with a simple app, then verify every detail remotely, so there is no site visit to schedule.
A track record you can check
200+ projects, 10+ years of experience, a 99% approval success rate and a 5.0 Google rating.
Where are you in your project?
Pick the step that fits. You will leave each one with a clearer picture of what to expect.
Just exploring
Check whether you need a permit
Answer a few questions about your project and see what the City will likely require.
Do I Need a Permit?Planning a budget
Get a fee range in seconds
Enter your ZIP code and project type to see a planning range for your city permit fees.
Try the Permit Cost CalculatorReady to move
Talk to a permit specialist
It is a free consultation. You will leave with an honest picture of what permitting will involve before you commit to anything.
Book a Free ConsultationOr call (206) 312-2992
How much does a building permit cost in Kirkland?
The City's building permit fee is based on your project's valuation. A plan review fee and a few smaller fees are added on top, and the City publishes every piece.
Get a fee estimate for your project
Our free Permit Cost Calculator gives you a planning range in seconds. Enter your ZIP code and project type.
Fee rules are as published by the City of Kirkland (October 2026). Only the City sets your final fee, which depends on your valuation, scope and any additional permits. City fees are separate from professional fees for drawings and permit management. Source: City of Kirkland Building Services Fees.
Do I need a building permit in Kirkland?
Decks more than 30 inches above grade, fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet and sheds larger than 200 sq ft need a permit, and interior remodels generally do too. Like-in-kind re-roofing and fixture swaps in the same location are exempt. See the City's permit list.
Not sure if your project needs a permit?
Answer a few questions and our free tool will tell you what to expect before you commit to anything.
Which Kirkland neighborhoods do we serve?
Every neighborhood has its own zoning, lot patterns and site conditions. We handle all of them.
Kirkland neighborhoods
- Bridle Trails
- Everest
- Finn Hill
- Goat Hill
- Highlands
- Houghton
- Juanita
- Kingsgate
- Lakeview
- Market
- Moss Bay
- Norkirk
- North Rose Hill
- South Rose Hill
- Totem Lake
Also serving nearby
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Mercer Island
- Sammamish
- Kenmore
- Shoreline
- Lynnwood
Kirkland permit questions, answered
How long does a Kirkland building permit take?
The City sorts permits into review tracks. According to the City's targets, over-the-counter permits with no plan review are typically turned around in about a day, Express permits take about a week and Fast Track permits about two weeks. Everything else goes to Regular review, which varies with plan completeness, site conditions and staff availability. We scope your project against these tracks and keep every review round moving.
Can I build an ADU or DADU on my Kirkland lot?
Often, yes. Creating or registering an ADU requires a permit in the city, and your lot's setbacks, trees and site conditions still apply. The City also offers pre-approved DADU plans that the City has already reviewed, which can mean permit approval in as little as a few weeks, with designers charging up to $1,000 to license a plan. A feasibility study confirms what your property can support before you pay for full drawings.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Kirkland?
Possibly. The City's tree code (Zoning Code Chapter 95) regulates tree removal and replacement on private property, while tree pruning is exempt. Whether you need a permit depends on the tree, your property and your project. We screen for trees as part of every Kirkland permit.
Why use a permit service instead of my contractor or doing it myself?
Permits are the only thing we do, so we know what the City asks for and how to answer corrections. Our team specializes in permits, a project coordinator manages everything for you, our drawings are done in-house at a fraction of traditional firm cost, and revisions are free until approval. You stay in control, and your contractor can build from the approved permit.
Do you provide the drawings, or just the paperwork?
Both. Our in-house team produces permit drawings and site plans when your project needs them, and manages the full submission and approval process, so you don't need to coordinate with a separate draftsperson.
Do you work in my Kirkland neighborhood?
Yes, we serve every neighborhood as well as surrounding cities across King County.
Ready to get your permit approved faster?
Tell us about your project and we'll tell you exactly what the City will require, what it will cost and how long it should take.