FAQs - Community Planning & Development

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Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Community Planning and Development programs.

Land Use, Development, Zoning	Building Permits & Inspections	Code Enforcement
Historic Preservation	Housing Programs	Neighborhood Programs
Urban Forestry

 Land Use, Development, Zoning

Q: When is a sign permit required?
Sign Code Information (brochure) 

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Building Permits & Inspections

Q: Do I need a building permit?
When Is a Permit Required? (brochure)

Q: How much will it cost to build in the City of Olympia?
An average single family home will cost around $25,000 for permits, impact fees, and general facility charges. Commercial construction fees vary depending on the type of commercial activity expected at the site, the size of the building, and other factors. Staff can estimate your total fees. Visit or phone us at 360-753-8314.

Q: What will it cost for a building permit?
Building Permit Fees (pdf)

Q: What are impact fees?
Impact Fees (pdf)

Q: Do I have to pay the impact fees if I am going to appeal the amount or ask for a refund?
Yes. If an appeal or refund is granted, your money will be refunded.

Q: How can I reduce my transportation impact fee amount?
Within 21 days of submitting a building permit application, submit an independent fee calculation that justifies a lesser impact, or by Transportation Demand Management Credits, which provide alternate modes of communting, reducing peak-hour traffic, and thus reducing the need to build some transportation improvements. At the discretion of the Director of Community Planning and Development, eligible projects may reduce transportation impact fee assessments by providing specific Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) measures.

Q: My property is in the county but is served by city water and sewer. If I develop, will I pay an impact fee?
No. However, if the project is identified as creating a traffic or park service impact, mitigation fees may be required as a condition of sewer or water connection.

Q: I am adding a bathroom, garage, or bedroom, etc. Do I pay an impact fee?
No, no impact fees are charged for additions.

Q: If I change the use of the building from residential to nonresidential, or vice versa, do I pay an impact fee?

• When a residence is converted to a commercial use, transportation impact fees are often assessed.
• When a commercial use is converted to a residence, school and park fees will be assessed.

Q: Do nonresidential developments pay impact fees?
Nonresidential developments pay a fee only for fire and transportation facilities. School and park fees are charged only for residential development.

Q: Are impact fees a substitute for SEPA mitigation?
To some extent, yes. In the past, developers and builders may have been asked to provide mitigation for open space or school needs; those will now be offset by the collection of impact fees. However, SEPA mitigation may still be required for other necessary improvements specific to the development or site, which are not funded by impact fees.

Q: Where does the money go?
School impact fees are used to construct new buildings and add portable units.Park impact fees pay for neighborhood parks, open space, urban trails, ball fields, and tennis courts. Transportation impact fees fund transportation system improvements from a select list of projects contained in the Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).

Q: I am in the City of Olympia, but live in the North Thurston School District. Do I still pay school impact fees?
No. Only the Olympia School District assesses impact fees in Olympia. You will need to negotiate directly with the North Thurston School District about mitigating the impacts of your project.

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Code Enforcement

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 Historic Preservation

Q: What is considered historic in Olympia?
A building listed on the Historic Property Inventory, Heritage Register, the National Register of Historic Places and/or the Washington Heritage Register. This includes structures within a historic district.. A structure must be at least fifty years old to qualify.

Q: What are the benefits of owning a historic home?

• Property owners may qualify for Special Tax Valuation whereby approved historic properties may receive tax relief in exchange for restoration or rehabilitation.
• Historic properties maintain their value better and often maintain higher property values.
• Access to free professional assistance from architects and historians on the Olympia Heritage Commission.
• Help maintain the historic character of your neighborhood and the City as a whole.

Q: What are the Benefits of Local Historic Districts?

• Local districts protect the investments of owners and residents. Buyers know that the aspects that make a particular area attractive will be protected over a period of time. Real estate agents in many cities use historic district status as a marketing tool to sell properties.
• Local districts encourage better design. It has been shown through comparative studies that there is a greater sense of relatedness, more innovative use of materials, and greater public appeal within historic districts than in areas without historic designations.
• Local districts help the environment. Historic district revitalization can, and should, be part of a comprehensive environmental policy.
• The educational benefits of creating local districts are the same as those derived from any historic preservation effort. Districts help explain the development of a place, the source of inspiration, and technological advances. They are a record of ourselves and our communities.
• A local district can result in a positive economic impact from tourism. A historic district that is aesthetically cohesive and well promoted can be a community's most important attraction. The retention of historic areas as a way to attract tourist dollars makes good economic sense.
• The protection of local historic districts can enhance business recruitment potential. Companies continually re-locate to communities that offer their workers a higher quality of life, which is greatly enhanced by successful local preservation programs and stable historic districts.

Q: What are the restrictions placed on historic properties?
Historic property owners are required to submit plans for exterior renovation to the Heritage Commission for review as part of the permit process. Commission members discuss the plans with the property owners in an effort to find the most appropriate way to alter a historic structure when neccesary. This requirement is noted in the Olympia City Code, 18.12.090 Heritage Register - Alteration and Construction, which states:

"No person shall construct any new building or structure, or reconstruct, alter, restore, remodel, repair or demolish any existing building or structure which is on the Heritage Register or within a Historic District without review by the Heritage Commission, the Heritage Review Committee, or Joint Design Review, as required by Sections18.12.070 and 18.76.180. The review shall apply to exterior or interior features designated as significant and relating to the designation of the property to the Heritage Register, and interior features for historically significant interior spaces of public buildings, including privately owned buildings open to the public. This section shall have no application to ordinary repair and maintenance, including painting, or Emergency Repair measures as defined in Chapter 18.02, Definitions. Violation of this rule shall be grounds for the Heritage Commission to review the property for removal from the Heritage Register. The review shall be based upon 18.105.020 and 18.105.030."

Q: Can I remove my property from the Olympia Heritage Register or from a Historic District?
No . Only the Olympia Heritage Commission can remove a property's historic designation.

Q: Does being on a Historic Register or in a Historic District mean that I can never change the outside of my home?
No, it doesn't. The Heritage Commission understands that modern homeowners may have different needs than the original homeowners. The Commission works with property owners to balance the need for different or new useable space with the need for preservation.

Q: Does being on a Historic Register or in a Historic District mean that I can never demolish the structure?
No, but certain steps for documentation may be required.

Q: Will my home insurance be higher if I have a historic home?
Some insurance companies think that historic homeowners are required to replace damaged features with historically accurate ones, following a major storm or other natural disaster for example. This is not required in Olympia. An historically accurate replica or period-appropriate piece may be preferred but actual historic pieces, such as original wood or plaster, would not be required so that property owners can keep home maintenance affordable.

Q: Are vinyl windows better than the original wood ones?
Historic homeowners are strongly encouraged to repair original wood windows and take advantage of options for insulation which can help save energy while maintaining the historic character of the home.

Q: Is vinyl siding suitable for historic homes?
Resurfacing a wooden building with synthetic siding materials, such as aluminum, vinyl, asbestos, and asphalt, is usually a short-sighted solution to a maintenance detection and repair. At their best, synthetic sidings conceal the historic fabric of building; and at their worst, they remove or destroy with nail holes the materials and the craftsmanship that reflect America's cultural heritage and allow for new rot to go undetected. Because the application of synthetic sidings does grave damage to the character of most historic buildings, it is not appropriate on historic properties.

Q: What does the Olympia Heritage Commission do?
The Olympia Heritage Commission was established in 1983 to advise the City Council on matters related to the recognition, enhancement and continued use of buildings, sites, districts and objects of historical significance within the City and to serve as the City's primary resource in matters of history, historic planning, and preservation. The Commission provides information to the public on best practices for preservation, leads walking tours, and sponsors heritage events.

Q: Where can I find more information about Olympia's preservation program?
Visit www.olympiawa.gov or contact the preservation office at 360-753-8031 or by email at jkenny@ci.olympia.wa.us.

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Housing Programs

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 Neighborhood Programs

Recognized Neighborhood Associations

Q: How do I know if my property is in a neighborhood association?
The City maintains records of recognized neighborhood associations.

Neighborhood Crossroads

Q: Do Neighborhood Crossroads projects close the affected road in my neighorhood?
No. The improvements enhance the road and allow pedestrians safer access. Neighborhood Grants

Q: What funding is available for improving my neighborhood?
The City offers an annual Neighborhood Matching Grant, a Neighborhood Sustainability Grant , and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

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 Urban Forestry