County Commissioners Unanimously Approve Reducing Permit Fees and Expedited Reviews for Wildfire Vi

To help in supporting recovery for those impacted by wildfires, building permits associated with demolition, rebuilding, or repair of damaged or lost structures from the Spokane Complex and Upriver wildfires will receive reduced building permit fees and expedited review. (Resolution #2026-0500, In the Matter of setting a Special Fee for Replacement and Repair Inspections for Single-Family Residential Buildings Impacted by the Spokane Complex and Upriver Fires.)

Commissioner and Board Chair Mary Brooks said Spokane County is committed to helping wildfire victims rebuild.  “It is hard to imagine that level of catastrophic loss and the emotional toll it’s taking on hundreds of our neighbors. The county will do whatever it can to reduce the burden on those who lost their homes,” Brooks said.

Commissioner Chris Jordan’s district includes numerous homes lost in the Five Mile Area due to the Old Trails Fire. “This action alone will save the average affected homeowner seeking to rebuild more than $600 in reduced inspection fees, on top of other fees we’ve already reduced.  This is yet another sign of our commitment to make rebuilding as quick and seamless as possible to support our affected neighbors,” Jordan said.

Commissioner Josh Kerns’ district was impacted by the Upriver, Autumn Lane and Fairview Fires. Kerns said he hopes many of the affected families will rebuild. “These were beautiful neighborhoods and they will be again. I’m looking forward to seeing construction sites and then families moving back home soon,” Kerns said.

The Resolution that was unanimously approved on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, will reduce fees for demolition and all other building permits. 

Resolution #2026-0500, In the Matter of setting a Special Fee for Replacement and Repair Inspections for Single-Family Residential Buildings Impacted by the Spokane Complex and Upriver Fires

Demolition Permit: Inspection Fee 100% Waived – Flat Rate $33.62 total building permit cost. Note: Does not include other permits potentially required from other agencies or departments for demolition permit issuance.

All Other Building Permits: Inspection Fee: 50% reduction: See BP-4 Fee Schedule — Building Dept for fee schedule and example for how it is applied (see below).

• What is required to receive fee reduction and permit review expedition:

Completed and signed Wildfire Damage Permit Attestation Form:

Wildfire Damage Permit Attestation

• What is the Inspection Fee: Inspection fees are the fees assessed to recover cost associated with inspections that are required at different stages of a project to verify code compliance.

The total inspection fee is specific to every building permit and dependent on ‘type’ of building, size of structure, and quantity of mechanical/ plumbing fixtures.

Simplified Example Common Building Permit Fee for New Structure without fee reduction applied

Simplified Example Common Building Permit Fee for New Structure with fee reduction applied

1. In this Simplified Example the total fee is reduced by 36%. Total fee reduction amount and percentage of reduction against total will vary.
2. Example only inspection fees and other associated fees vary

In addition to the reduction in fees, wildfire building permits will be given ‘Expedited Review,’ which means priority application processing. They will then be placed at the front of the line and reviewed by Spokane County Departments within five-to-seven-days for rebuilds that are substantially within the same footprint and at the same location.

For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or (509) 477-3675 or in person at the Spokane County Building and Planning Office located on the first floor of the Public Works Building at 1026 W Broadway Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 (east of the Spokane County Courthouse).

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