Stanwood residential permits, approved faster.
We know how the City's Community Development Department takes residential applications, from the online permit portal through review, so your addition, ADU, 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 the City's online permit portal
- 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 Stanwood or any government agency.
Stanwood's permit specialists
Evergreen Permits is a team of architectural designers and permit specialists helping Stanwood 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 Stanwood 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?
Review time depends on your project and how complete the first submittal is. We send a complete package through the City's online portal the first time to keep you to as few rounds as possible, and we scope the timeline with you on a free call.
See how the process works →Will the City send my plans back?
Setbacks, lot coverage and ADU standards are where plans most often need work. We check your lot before we draw, answer every comment and revise for free until you're approved.
See what the City looks at →How much are permit fees?
The City sets your fees in its Community Development fee schedule, and the total depends on your project. We walk you through what applies to you before you commit.
Estimate your permit fees →How does Evergreen Permits make permitting easier?
We know how Washington cities review residential projects, and we prepare yours for the City's process from the start. Here is how we take the weight off your shoulders.
- We check your lot first for zoning, setbacks and lot coverage, so surprises come before you file, not after.
- We submit a complete application through the City's permit portal and handle the fees, so review starts as soon as possible.
- 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, setback and coverage checks, plus permit-ready drawings in-house.
Submit & manage
We submit through the permit portal 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 Stanwood?
From a home addition to a backyard cottage, we prepare the drawings, submit through the City's permit portal and manage every review round until you're approved.
What are the building permit requirements in Stanwood?
What the City looks at on a residential permit, and the items that most often shape a project's scope, timeline and cost.
Online permit portal
Building permit applications go through the City's iWorQ portal. The City posts residential application forms, plus handouts for decks, guardrails and stairs, on its Applications, Forms & Checklists page.
Meet with staff first
The City offers a free General Information Meeting on zoning, setbacks, permitting, utilities and fees. A paid Pre-Application Meeting brings in planning, building, public works and engineering for a more detailed review.
Two ADUs per lot
A lot with a principal home can have two ADUs, attached, detached or one of each. An ADU is exempt from the zone's maximum density.
ADU size
An ADU must be at least 300 sq ft. Inside an existing structure or a garage conversion it can reach 1,200 sq ft. A detached ADU or addition can be up to 1,000 sq ft on a lot under 12,400 sq ft, and up to 1,200 sq ft on a larger lot.
ADU height & setbacks
ADUs can be up to 24 feet tall. Your zone's setbacks, lot coverage and building coverage apply. An existing structure that doesn't meet them can be converted to an ADU without a variance, but an ADU isn't allowed on a nonconforming lot unless setbacks and coverage are met.
ADU parking & utilities
Each ADU needs one parking space, and a detached ADU needs its own water meter. ADUs can't be used as short-term rentals.
Detached ADU design
A detached ADU must share at least one feature with the main home: roof lines or pitch, window frames, color or siding. Yurts, RVs and shipping containers aren't allowed.
HOA & private covenants
You also have to follow any CC&Rs that apply to your property. We check them with your lot before we draw.
Who handles building permits in Stanwood, and how do you apply?
Who issues it
Community Development
City of Stanwood, 10220 270th Street NW. Open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. Fridays by appointment. Phone: 360-629-2181.
Land Use Planning & Permitting →How to apply
Online permit portal
Applications go through the City's iWorQ portal, with forms for residential building permits, stock plans and plumbing or mechanical work.
Applications & forms →ADU rules
Up to two per lot
Attached or detached, up to 24 feet tall, with one parking space each and a separate water meter for detached units.
ADU standards →City fees
It depends
Set by the City's Community Development fee schedule and based on your project.
Cost breakdown →Sources: City of Stanwood Community Development pages and Stanwood Municipal Code 17.95.480 (Ord. 1549, 2025). Figures reviewed October 2026.
What do clients say about Evergreen Permits?
Real reviews behind our 5-star Google rating.
“Sara was our main point of contact and was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. She guided us through multiple permit applications across various projects, always staying accessible and proactive in her communication…”
Read full review on Google →“I am a general contractor and we work with Evergreen on all of our projects. They take great care of our clients, do an excellent job and have very clear communication. We recommend them to everyone!”
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 →Why do Stanwood 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 Stanwood
Our team specializes in permit assistance in Stanwood. 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.
Call (206) 312-2992
Or Book a Free ConsultationHow much does a building permit cost in Stanwood?
The City publishes its permit fees in a Community Development fee schedule. Your total depends on the scope of your project and any additional reviews it triggers, so the easiest way to see a planning range is our free calculator.
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 set by the City of Stanwood. Under the 2025–2026 impact fee calculations the City adopted with Resolution 2026-01 on January 8, 2026, the traffic impact fee is $5,324 for a single-family home and $2,662 for an ADU, which is 50% of the single-family rate, and the calculated park impact fee for a single-family home is $2,461.57. Only the City sets your final fee, which depends on your scope and any additional permits. City fees are separate from professional fees for drawings and permit management. Source: the City's Community Development fee schedule.
Do I need a building permit in Stanwood?
The City requires a building permit for new construction, remodeling, additions, tenant improvements and structural changes within existing buildings. Electrical permits are issued by Washington State Labor & Industries. For smaller projects like a shed, fence or deck, the answer depends on size and height, so check with the City before you build. See the City's building applications and handouts.
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.
Stanwood permit questions, answered
How do I apply for a building permit in Stanwood?
Applications go through the City's online permit portal. The City's Applications, Forms & Checklists page has the residential building permit application, a stock plan version and handouts for decks, guardrails and stairs. We prepare and submit the full package for you.
Can I build an ADU or DADU on my Stanwood lot?
Often, yes. A lot with a principal home can have two ADUs, attached, detached or one of each. An ADU must be at least 300 square feet. Inside an existing structure or garage it can be up to 1,200 square feet, and a detached ADU or addition can be up to 1,000 square feet on a lot under 12,400 square feet or 1,200 on a larger lot. ADUs can be 24 feet tall, need one parking space each, and can't be short-term rentals. A detached ADU needs its own water meter, and your zone's setbacks and coverage limits still apply. A feasibility study confirms what your property can support before you pay for full drawings.
Can I convert my garage or an existing building into an ADU?
Yes. An existing structure that doesn't meet current setback or lot coverage standards can be converted to an ADU without a variance, as long as the conversion meets all other standards. An ADU inside an existing structure or a garage conversion can be up to 1,200 square feet.
Do I need a permit for a fence, shed or deck in Stanwood?
It depends on the size and height, and the City posts handouts for decks, guardrails and stairs. Call the Community Development Department at 360-629-2181 to confirm before you build, or use our free Do I Need a Permit tool.
Is my property inside Stanwood city limits?
It matters, because the City only issues permits inside its limits, and a Stanwood mailing address doesn't always match the city boundary. Outside the city, the county issues the permit. We confirm jurisdiction first and tell you where to apply.
Can I talk to the City before I apply?
Yes. The City offers a free General Information Meeting with staff on zoning, setbacks, permitting, utilities and fees. A paid Pre-Application Meeting brings in planning, building, public works and engineering. We scope your project on a free consultation first, so you know what to ask.
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 Stanwood neighborhood?
Yes, we serve every part of Stanwood as well as surrounding cities across the Puget Sound region.
Also serving nearby
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 the review should go.