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Buildings and property

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Green and sustainable building

Resources for developers, builders, architects, and homeowners interested to build toward a sustainable King County.

Historic preservation

Learn about the Historic Preservation Program and its efforts to preserve the history of King County.

Property research and maps

Learn more about landslide mapping and property specific development conditions, or access reference maps for planning support.

Property tax assessments

Learn more about how we assess and tax residential property.

Property tax payments

After King County issues a building permit, inspections are required at different stages of the project.

Additional links

Transfer of Development Rights Exchange

The Transfer of Development Rights Exchange facilitates the trading of Transferable Development Rights. This page describes how it works and how to register on the Exchange.

Alpental / Skykomish - Area 90

View and download PDF reports from the assessor of Area 90's current valuation. Also, find important links for the area.

Area reports - King County Assessor

We provide area reports going back six years. These reports are a resource for property tax information across King County for a selected year.

Auction surplus funds

Learn about excess money from foreclosure auctions, and how to access this information 

Bel-Red Subarea

City of Bellevue

Building and fire inspections

Permitting building and fire inspectors inspect residential and commercial building projects that are under construction in unincorporated King County for compliance with King County Building Codes.

Code Interpretations

Code interpretation is a formal statement regarding the meaning or requirements of a particular provision in the King County Development Regulations. K.C.C.2.100

Commercial property taxes

Learn more about how we assess and tax commercial property.

Facilities Management Division

Exceptional services and sustainable environments for a changing world

File or respond to a complaint with Code Enforcement

The Code Enforcement Section investigates complaints regarding violations of King County Codes (KCC) related to zoning, building, property maintenance, shorelines and critical areas in unincorporated King County as outlined in KCC Title 23.

Foreclosure process and resources

Learn more about the foreclosure process for King County properties, and what resources are available to help

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about county real estate sales, including tax title properties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Answers to frequently asked questions about property taxes in King County

Gambling taxes

Learn who is subject to gambling taxes, what activities are subject to gambling taxes, get information about where and how to send payments, and obtain the correct forms

Glossary of TDR Terms

Definition of TDR terminology.

Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Subarea Plan

King County is in the early planning stage for this subarea plan, which will focus on rural areas outside of cities and towns.

Improvement District foreclosures

Learn more about Utility Local Improvement District (ULID) and Local Improvement District (LID) foreclosure auctions in King County

Inspections scheduling

When you use MyBuildingPermit or the King County Permitting Portal to schedule an inspection, you will search for your record, then select the inspection by name.  When you schedule inspections by phone (IVR) or text (SelecTEXT), you will enter your record number, and then the inspection code associated with the inspection you are scheduling.

Issaquah

City of Issaquah

King County Code Chapter 21A.37

Transfer of Development Rights

King County Transfer of Development Rights Bank

Overview of the King County TDR Bank.

Land use inspections

If your project involves road or drainage site work, the information below outlines the applicant's expectations, responsibilities, and obligation to contact Permitting before initiating the work.

Landslide mapping

Information on current landslide and steep slope mapping, information, and resources. 

Manhattan Village Subarea

City of Normandy Park

Manifest Error Corrections

Petition for Property Tax Refund Property owners may qualify for a refund due to a correction of a manifest error in description of the property relied on or used to estimate value for property assessment purposes. An example of a manifest error in description of a property could be the incorrect square footage of your house or lot. If you think you qualify, you may download the form here (.PDF) and return with documentation or evidence to support your claim. Refunds may be made for up to 6 years.  

North Highline Subarea Plan

The North Highline Subarea Plan was adopted by the King County Council in December 2022.

Payment plans

Information about how to pay delinquent property taxes and set up payment plans

Permit records research

Instructions on how to research building and land use permits which have been finalized, closed or are still active in unincorporated King County can be found below. Code Enforcement case files may also be made available after they have been reviewed by staff for attorney/client privilege or confidentiality.   For records on property located within city limits, you must contact the city directly. Permitting Records Center does maintain some records for properties that are annexed or incorporated into a city after finalization of a King County permit. 

Projects of special interest

Permitting activities in unincorporated King County that may be of special interest to the public because of their nature, size, or location

Property research and maps

For information relating to your parcel or property such as confirming jurisdiction, finding zoning information, confirming setbacks, learning about potential critical areas such as wetlands, floodplains, or landslide hazards see our resources below.

Property tax foreclosures

Learn about the property tax foreclosure process and related property auctions in King County

Property taxes

Information about property taxes in King County, including ways to pay

Public rules

Public rules implement policies from legislation, like the King County Code (KCC). KCC chapter 2.98 gives county agencies general authority to promulgate rules. It also sets out the requirements we follow. Once widely shared with time for comments, public rules have the force and effect of law.

Reference maps

Reference maps to help in planning purposes can be found on this page.

Restrictive covenants

Information and options for removing or modifying unlawful, discriminatory restrictive covenants.

SEPA Process

For information on the State Enviornmental Policy Act (SEPA) process within King County. 

Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan

The King County Executive sent the subarea plan to the King County Council on December 7, 2023. Use the links below to view the recommended plan and related documents.

Subarea plans

Community Service Area subarea plans help guide development decisions in King County’s six rural Community Service Areas and five urban potential annexation areas. We get feedback from these communities using guidance from the Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice.

Sustainable building

Resources for developers, builders, architects, and homeowners interested to build toward a sustainable King County.

Transfer of Development Rights Program Property Map

An interactive map showing TDR sending and receiving sites.

Unincorporated King County

King County, Washington

Vashon-Maury Island Subarea Plan

Learn more about the adopted 2017 Vashon-Maury Island Subarea Plan.

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