Articles
Permit guides
Plain-language permit guides for Clark County homeowners.
October 14, 2026
ADU Permits in Vancouver, WA: Two Requirements That Surprise People
Planning an ADU in Vancouver, WA? Learn about the city's pre-submittal utility report, site plan rules for garage conversions, and size limits.
October 14, 2026
Do You Need a Permit for a Deck in Clark County?
When a deck needs a permit in Clark County and Vancouver, WA: the height and size limits, and what a permitted deck can require.
October 14, 2026
How Much Does a Building Permit Cost in Clark County?
How to estimate building permit fees in Clark County and Vancouver, WA, plus what a fixed-fee permit coordinator handles from start to finish.
October 14, 2026
How Long Does a Building Permit Take in Vancouver, WA?
An honest look at residential permit timelines in Vancouver and Clark County, WA, from intake review to correction rounds, based on real experience.
October 14, 2026
Before You Apply for a Building Permit: My Top Advice
Talk to the city before you design. How a free virtual appointment and an HOA check can save you money on your Vancouver or Clark County project.
October 14, 2026
Buying a House With Unpermitted Work: Two Real Examples
Two real examples of unpermitted work that surfaced at the permit stage, including an unpermitted ADU, and what it meant for the new owners.
October 14, 2026
Permit Correction Comments: Why They're Normal
Most residential permits go through one or two rounds of correction comments. Here's why that's normal and how to set expectations.
October 14, 2026
When to Tear Down Instead of Convert a Garage
Sometimes converting an old garage into an ADU takes more work than starting over. A real example of when an engineer recommended tearing down.
October 14, 2026
Permit Expediter in Clark County: The First Conversation
What happens when you first talk to PermitNorth about your project: jurisdiction, document checklist, scope and the steps to submittal.
October 14, 2026
Clark County Permit Process: One Thing I'd Change
Why permitting in Clark County and Vancouver means coordinating many departments, and what a more streamlined process could look like.