Bolthole Index

Clark County, Washington

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Clark County, Washington

50Index Score / 100
#27 of 39 in Washington

Clark County, Washington requires building permits for covered construction, and permitted building, mechanical and plumbing work administered by the county is subject to inspection12. Unincorporated Clark County is zoned under Title 40, so a parcel's district matters before you design or buy3. Clark County Public Health administers on-site septic rules4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered construction; Clark County publishes an online application process15
Zoning
Yes, Title 40 regulates development in unincorporated Clark County3
Septic authority
Clark County Public Health, On-Site Septic Program46
Septic-friendly soils
Only 15% of soils are rated not severely limited for a conventional drain field; expect close site-evaluation scrutiny7
Owner-builder exemption
Contractor registration exemption only; permits and inspections still apply812
Minimum dwelling size
At least 190 sq ft of habitable space statewide, with at least one room of 120 sq ft or more9
Tiny home
Allowed statewide up to 400 sq ft if built to the Washington State Building Code and approved locally10

Who to call

Building permits

Clark County Permit Center

Building permits, inspections and permit status for construction in unincorporated Clark County

564.397.4078

[email protected]

Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street, Third Floor, Vancouver WA 98660

Planning & zoning

Clark County Community Development, Development Review (Title 40 Zoning)

Zoning and land-use districts for unincorporated Clark County under the Unified Development Code, Title 40

564.397.2000

Septic permits

Clark County Public Health, On-Site Septic Program

On-site sewage (septic) system permits, inspections and the operations & maintenance program for Clark County

564.397.8428

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Clark County, Washington?

Yes. Clark County says building permits are required by state law, and the county applies Washington building codes that are adopted and updated statewide111. Permitted building work administered by Clark County must clear the required inspections; all permitted repair work and push-pull mechanical and plumbing installations must be inspected when complete2. An owner working on their own property can qualify for an exemption from contractor registration when the project is not for sale, demolition or lease, but that exemption does not erase permit or inspection requirements812. Washington also has a contractor-registration exemption for certain work incidental to farming and related agricultural operations, unless the work is performed by a registered contractor; it is not a blanket building-permit exemption121.

Who issues building permits in Clark County, and how do you reach them?

The Clark County Permit Center is the contact for building permits, inspections and permit status for construction in unincorporated Clark County13. Clark County requires online application submittal and payment of the initial submittal fees for every project5. The published sequence is to create or use an LMS account, create the permit, pay fees, submit it for processing, schedule a virtual appointment, and upload documents and plans into ProjectDox5. Walk-ins are not accepted, and the county may add a $148 fee for each missed submittal appointment5. For inspection scheduling, requests are due by 10 p.m. the day before, but the county does not guarantee a next-day inspection; the county may handle some inspections by remote video and others through a regular site visit2.

Does Clark County have zoning?

Yes. Clark County's Unified Development Code, Title 40, regulates property development throughout unincorporated Clark County; this county source does not establish the rules inside incorporated cities3. Clark County's rural districts include Agricultural-Wildlife, Forest and Agriculture, and Rural designations, so identify the parcel's exact district before assuming a use or project is allowed14. We could not confirm a single countywide answer for RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height from the available county material. Ask Clark County Community Development about those parcel-specific points before relying on a listing description or a seller's plans14. State building rules provide a path for a tiny house of up to 400 square feet, but local approval still depends on where it is built and includes foundation, installation and location requirements10.

How do septic permits work in Clark County?

Clark County Public Health administers the county's on-site septic regulations and is the office to contact about septic records, design, installation and maintenance46. Washington requires an application and local health officer permit before covered installation, repair, modification, connection or expansion work begins, except for a minor repair15. Only about 15% of Clark County soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so check the site early rather than assuming a standard system will fit7. After installation, Clark County requires operations-and-maintenance inspections every 3 years for conventional gravity systems, every 2 years for pressure distribution systems, and every year for advanced systems16. A homeowner may inspect a conventional gravity system after taking the Public Health course and passing the $20 operations-and-maintenance test16.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Clark County?

We could not confirm a general rule allowing residential or long-term RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Clark County. Washington defines an RV as temporary, transient living quarters that are not occupied as a primary residence, but that definition does not grant permission to use one as housing on private land17. Ask Clark County Community Development whether the parcel's Title 40 district allows an RV, temporary camping or a tiny home before moving one onto the site314. Washington recognizes a tiny house of up to 400 square feet if it is built to the state building code, but local approval still controls foundation, installation and location10. Clark County building permits and inspections still apply to covered tiny-home construction12.

Building a home in Clark County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's Title 40 district and proposed use with Clark County Community Development before design work begins314.
  2. Create or use an LMS account, create the permit, pay the initial fees, submit it for processing, schedule the required virtual appointment, and upload plans and documents to ProjectDox5.
  3. Contact Clark County Public Health about an on-site septic permit and site evaluation if the property will not use public sewer415.
  4. Resolve driveway access before construction: a county-road approach needs county permission, while work on a state-highway right-of-way needs written permission from WSDOT1819.
  5. Contact local government for a floodplain development permit if the site is in a floodplain20.
  6. Schedule and complete the county's required building, mechanical and plumbing inspections, then follow the recurring inspection schedule for the installed septic-system type216.
  7. If you will act as owner-builder, confirm that the contractor-registration exemption fits the project; work intended for sale, demolition or lease is excluded, and permits still apply81.

What to check before you buy land in Clark County

Clark County is wet by western standards, about 66.9 inches of precipitation a year, with severe drought in only around 6.7% of years, and it's well wooded, 73.9% forest cover, with 64% of land at 15% slope or less21222324. Farmland runs about $18,755 an acre and a typical home is valued around $554,044, with an effective property tax rate near 0.8% and a median annual tax bill around $4,08025262728. Before you buy, verify your parcel's exact Title 40 zoning district, since density, minimum lot size, and what you can build all vary by district29. Check septic suitability early: with only 15% of county soils rated free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, plan on a site evaluation from Clark County Public Health rather than assuming a standard system will work7. Confirm access, too, since building or altering a driveway onto a county road needs the county's permission and a highway connection needs a separate state permit1819. Any land division still has to satisfy Washington's subdivision law, and a plat can't be approved unless the county formally finds it conforms to the applicable zoning, so a seller's promise that a parcel can be split isn't the same as county approval30.

Watch-outs

  • Clark County's Title 40 rules apply to unincorporated land, but we could not confirm one general answer for RV living, tiny homes, minimum lot size or setbacks; ask Community Development about the parcel's district314.
  • Only about 15% of Clark County's soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field; budget for a more involved design on much of the county's rural land7.

Sources

  1. Building permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Building inspections, quoted and re-checked
  3. Unified Development Code, Title 40, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-site Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Building permit application guidelines, quoted and re-checked
  6. Clark County Public Health, On-Site Septic Program (clark.wa.gov)
  7. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  8. RCW 18.27.090: Exemptions, quoted and re-checked
  9. WAC 51-50-1208 — Section 1208—Interior space dimensions (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Tiny Houses (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building permits, quoted and re-checked
  12. RCW 18.27.090: Exemptions, quoted and re-checked
  13. Clark County Permit Center (clark.wa.gov)
  14. Clark County Community Development, Development Review (Title 40 Zoning) (clark.wa.gov)
  15. WAC 246-272A-0200 Permit requirements (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. On-site Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. RCW 59.30.020 — Definitions (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. RCW 36.75.130 — Approaches to county roads—Rules regarding construction—Penalty (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. RCW 47.32.150 — Approach roads, other appurtenances—Permit (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Planning & regulation — Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  26. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Unified Development Code, Title 40 (2026 county census)
  30. RCW 58.17.030 — Subdivisions to comply with chapter, local regulations (Washington statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written September 29, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Clark County in Washington

50
County map
Clark County highlighted among the Washington counties · colored by Index score

How Clark County scores

Seclusion27100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency56100% ev.
Admin Boringness41100% ev.
Durability73100% ev.
Property Autonomy50100% ev.
Carry Cost34100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$554kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$18,755Land / acre
66.9"Annual rain
6.7% of yrsSevere drought
1.8 / yr (+1.5)Mid-century 100°F days
23.4 daysMid-century dry spell
2.14" (+5.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.35×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,215Home insurance / yr
2.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.62%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
97,805People within 30 min
3,664,896People within 2 hr
340,797Radius comparison (15 mi)
829.2People / sq mi
3.6%Federal land
64%Land at 15% slope or less
15%Septic soil without severe limits
59,729 acWorkable land screen
73.9%Wooded land
99.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.2°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Clark County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Clark County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction requiring building permits in Clark County; the page is administered by Clark County Community Development.

    • The source states the requirement is imposed by state law; incorporated-jurisdiction procedures may differ.
    “Building permits are required by state law.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building, mechanical, and plumbing work administered by Clark County.

    • All push-pull and permitted repair work for mechanical and plumbing installations must be inspected upon completion; some inspections may use remote video, while others require a regular site inspection.
    • Inspection requests must be made by 10 p.m. the day before, and next-day inspections are not guaranteed.
    “We require ALL push-pull and permitted repair work for mechanical and plumbing installations to be inspected upon completion”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Property development in unincorporated Clark County.

    • The source addresses unincorporated Clark County and does not establish zoning authority inside incorporated municipalities.
    “The full text of Title 40 contains all regulations relating to property development in unincorporated Clark County.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site septic systems in Clark County.

    • Clark County Public Health administers local on-site septic regulations under Clark County Board of Health Ordinance 24.17 and also references state and local law.
    “The Clark County Board of Health adopted Ordinance 24.17”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Operations and maintenance inspections for on-site sewage systems in Clark County.

    • Conventional gravity systems are inspected every 3 years.
    • Pressure distribution systems are inspected every 2 years.
    • Advanced systems are inspected every year.
    • Food establishments are inspected every year regardless of system type.
    • A homeowner may inspect a conventional gravity system only after taking the Public Health course and passing the $20 O&M test.

    conventional gravity inspection interval: 3 years · pressure distribution inspection interval: 2 years · advanced system inspection interval: 1 year · homeowner O&M test: 20 USD (for conventional gravity homeowner inspection qualification)

    “Conventional Gravity | Every 3 years [...] Food Establishments | Every year regardless of type of system”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Clark County building permit application process.

    • Online application submittal is required for all projects.
    • Initial submittal fees must be paid.
    • Applicants create or use an LMS account, create a permit, pay fees, submit for processing, schedule a virtual appointment, and upload documents and plans into ProjectDox.
    • Appointments are required because walk-ins are not accepted.
    • A $148 fee may be added for each missed submittal appointment.

    missed submittal appointment fee: 148 USD (may be added for each missed submittal appointment)

    “Online application submittal is required for all projects and any initial submittal fees must be paid.”

Washington rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner or other person performing construction-related contractor activities on the person's own property or personal residence under Washington contractor-registration law.

    • The exemption concerns registration provisions under chapter 18.27 RCW and does not itself eliminate applicable building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, land-use, or inspection requirements.
    • For work on the person's own property, the exemption does not apply when the person performs contractor activities for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property.
    • For an owner contracting with a registered contractor, the exemption does not apply to a person performing contractor activities to lease or sell improved property owned for less than twelve months.

    small-project contract threshold: < 500 USD (The threshold exemption does not apply when the work is part of a larger operation, contracts are divided to evade the chapter, or the person advertises as a contractor.)

    “The registration provisions of this chapter do not apply to: [...] (12) Any person working on his or her own property, whether occupied by him or her or not, and any person working on his or her personal residence, whether owned by him or her or not but this exemption shall not apply to any person who performs the activities of a contractor on his or her own property for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Contractor-registration exemption for a person working on their own property or personal residence in Clark County.
      “Any person working on his or her own property”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    The Washington State Building Code applies in all Washington counties and cities and includes the model codes adopted by reference in RCW 19.27.031, as amended by the Washington State Building Code Council.

    • The adoption is subject to exceptions stated in chapter 19.27 RCW and amendments adopted by the Washington State Building Code Council.
    • The 2021 International Building Code, including Appendix E, is adopted by reference with the exceptions noted in Title 51 WAC.
    • The Uniform Plumbing Code provisions affecting sewers or fuel gas piping are not adopted.
    • Only the portions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code specifically referenced in RCW 19.27.560 are adopted.
    • The state building code is enforced by counties and cities; a county or city without a building department must contract with another county, city, or approved inspection agency.
    • The model codes are adopted or amended through a three-year state building code adoption cycle, subject to statutory interim, emergency, and legislative off-cycle amendments.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 (Including Appendix E; subject to exceptions in Title 51 WAC) · effective date of current WAC 51-50-003 adoption: 2024-03-15

    “there shall be in effect in all counties and cities the state building code [...] which are hereby adopted by reference:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Washington building codes applicable in Clark County.
      “Building codes are adopted and continually updated statewide”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwelling units regulated by Washington's state building code.

    • The rule specifies habitable-space and room-area minimums, not a zoning minimum lot or gross floor-area standard.
    • Kitchens are expressly excepted from the minimum floor-area requirement.
    • Efficiency dwelling units must comply with Sections 1208.1 through 1208.4 and must have a separate closet, required kitchen facilities, light and ventilation, and a separate bathroom as stated in the source.
    • The current rule text states WSR 23-23-102 was filed 11/15/23 and effective 3/16/24.

    minimum habitable space: >= 190 square feet · minimum area of at least one room: >= 120 square feet · minimum net floor area of sleeping units and other habitable rooms: >= 70 square feet (Kitchens are not required to be of a minimum floor area.)

    “1208.3 Dwelling unit size. Dwelling units shall have a minimum of 190 square feet (17.7 m 2) of habitable space. 1208.4 Room area. Every dwelling unit shall have not less than one room that shall have not less than 120 square feet (11.2 m 2) of net floor area. Sleeping units and other habitable rooms of a dwelling unit shall have a net floor area of not less than 70 square feet (6.5 m 2). EXCEPTION: Kitchens are not required to be of a minimum floor area.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings subject to Washington's state building code, with allowable height determined by occupancy classification and type of construction.

    • Table 504.3 is occupancy- and construction-type-specific.
    • The source states that Chapters 4 and 5 contain specific exceptions to the allowable height.
    • The table includes NS and UL entries; the source footnotes state that NS is only for evaluation of existing building height under the International Existing Building Code and that other entries have sprinkler-related conditions.

    allowable building height: occupancy-classification and construction-type specific values in Table 504.3 feet above grade plane (See Chapters 4 and 5 for specific exceptions.)

    “Allowable Building Height in Feet Above Grade Plane”
  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Occupancy and placement of tiny houses in Washington

    • A tiny house may be built on wheels and may not exceed 400 square feet including kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping/living area.
    • It must be built to the Washington State Building Code.
    • Approval depends on where it is built; local building-department requirements and permits apply to foundation, installation, and location.
    • A wheeled structure that is not a tiny house as described may instead be a recreational vehicle or park model.
    • A manufactured home, including a tiny manufactured home, requires consultation with the local building department regarding where it may be located.

    maximum area: <= 400 square feet

    “A tiny house is a dwelling that may be built on wheels and is no larger than 400 square feet, including a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping/living area, and must be built to the Washington State Building Code. The approval process for a tiny house depends on where it's built.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in portions of Washington cities, towns, and counties located within designated urban growth areas and subject to the Growth Management Act requirements

    • Cities and counties planning under the chapter must adopt or amend ordinances and development, zoning, and other official controls to implement the statutory requirements.
    • The requirements apply only in portions of towns, cities, and counties within designated urban growth areas.
    • Local governments may still apply public-health, safety, building-code, environmental-permitting, on-site-wastewater, and generally applicable development regulations.
    • Local governments may restrict or prohibit ADUs where development is restricted because of on-site sewage infrastructure, critical areas, or other unsuitable physical characteristics.
    • Under RCW 36.70A.681, at least two ADUs must be allowed on qualifying lots in configurations specified by statute, subject to listed exceptions and limitations.
    • The statutory requirements do not apply to lots designated with critical areas or buffers, or to specified impaired or threatened potable-water-reservoir watersheds.

    minimum ADUs in qualifying configurations: >= 2 accessory dwelling units per qualifying lot (Applies to lots in all zoning districts within an urban growth area that allow single-family homes, subject to statutory exceptions.)

    “The city or county must allow at least two accessory dwelling units on all lots that are located in all zoning districts within an urban growth area that allow for single-family homes in the following configurations:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, repair, modification, connection to, or expansion of an on-site sewage system statewide.

    • A permit is not required for a minor repair.
    • For covered activities other than a minor repair, the application and permit must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The application includes the drinking-water source, sewer-utility status, parcel size, sewage source, utilities, soil and site evaluation, site plan, and detailed OSS design.
    • The local health officer responds within 30 days, may require additional information, may deny or revoke a permit for just cause, and may impose additional requirements necessary to protect public health.
    • A permit expiration date may not exceed five years from issuance.
    • The cited rule revision was filed March 1, 2024, and became effective April 1, 2025.

    permit response time: <= 30 days (As required in RCW 70.05.074.) · permit expiration: <= 5 years (From the date of permit issuance.)

    “Except for a minor repair, [...] shall submit an application and obtain a permit from the local health officer prior to beginning construction.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Temporary growing structures used solely for production of horticultural plants in Washington.

    • The exemption is limited to temporary growing structures.
    • The structures must be used solely for production of horticultural plants, including ornamental plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits.
    • The statute states that a temporary growing structure is not considered a building or structure for purposes of chapter 19.27 RCW.
    • This is not a general exemption for residences or all agricultural buildings.
    “The provisions of this chapter do not apply to temporary growing structures used solely for the production of horticultural plants including ornamental plants, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. A temporary growing structure is not considered a building or structure for purposes of this chapter.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Contractor-registration exemption for certain construction or operations incidental to farming, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, stock or poultry raising, and related work.
      “farming, dairying, agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, or stock or poultry raising”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and short subdivision of land in Washington, with approval administered by the city, town, or county legislative authority having jurisdiction.

    • Every subdivision must comply with chapter 58.17 RCW.
    • Every short subdivision must comply with applicable local regulations adopted under RCW 58.17.060.
    • A plat or short plat may not be approved unless the city, town, or county makes a formal written finding that the proposal conforms to applicable zoning ordinances or other land-use controls.
    • Local approval procedures and applicable local land-use controls must be checked for the particular property.
    “Every subdivision shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. Every short subdivision as defined in this chapter shall comply with the provisions of any local regulation adopted pursuant to RCW 58.17.060.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Approaches or driveway connections from abutting property to Washington county roads.

    • Permission must be obtained from the county board before construction.
    • Counties may adopt reasonable approach-construction rules, including culvert, fill-depth, and drainage requirements.
    • Construction must be supervised by the county road engineer and paid for by the person benefited.
    • Violation is a misdemeanor.
    “No person shall be permitted to build or construct any approach to any county road without first obtaining permission therefor from the board.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Approach roads and driveway connections constructed on Washington state highway rights-of-way.
      “No person, firm, or corporation may be permitted to build or construct on state highway rights-of-way any approach road or any other facility, thing, or appurtenance not heretofore permitted by law, without first obtaining written permission from the department.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development work on property located in a Washington floodplain.

    • The applicant must contact the local government to obtain the floodplain development permit.
    • Local governments manage floodplain development under the National Flood Insurance Program.
    • Some local governments impose standards higher than NFIP minimums, including regulation of areas larger than FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps show.
    • Washington counties and cities planning under the Growth Management Act must periodically review and update Critical Areas Ordinances addressing frequently flooded areas.
    “If you're planning to do any development work on a property located in a floodplain, contact your local government to obtain a floodplain development permit. Local governments are responsible for managing development in floodplains under the NFIP; however, some local governments have higher regulatory standards than the minimums of the NFIP, such as regulating a larger area than what is shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Camping and temporary occupancy in Washington State Parks facilities

    • Camping is permitted only in areas specifically designated or marked for camping, or as directed by a ranger.
    • State park facilities may not be used for residence purposes.
    • Continuous occupancy is limited to no more than 10 nights in one park within a 30-day period and no more than 90 nights per calendar year in all state parks, subject to stated qualifications in WAC 352-32-280 and WAC 352-32-285.
    • Occupants must vacate by 1:00 p.m. when the applicable fee is unpaid, the occupancy limit expires, or the site is reserved by another party; an additional camping fee may apply after checkout.

    maximum stay in one park: <= 10 nights per 30-day period (Limitations do not apply to individuals qualifying under WAC 352-32-280 and WAC 352-32-285.) · maximum stay in all state parks: <= 90 nights per calendar year (Limitations do not apply to individuals qualifying under WAC 352-32-280 and WAC 352-32-285.) · checkout time: 1:00 p.m. (Applies when the fee is unpaid, the occupancy limit has expired, or the site is reserved by another party.)

    “The maximum length of stay shall be no more than 10 nights in one park within a 30-day period. Total nights stayed by the same camping party must not exceed 90 nights per calendar year in all state parks. These limitations shall not apply to those individuals who meet the qualifications of WAC 352-32-280 and 352-32-285.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Recreational vehicles in the context of Washington's manufactured/mobile-home community statutes
      “(12) "Recreational vehicle" means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is primarily designed and used as temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, is transient, is not occupied as a primary residence, and is not immobilized or permanently affixed to a manufactured/mobile home lot.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Washington counties adopting zoning and related official controls for county jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas.

    • A county must create a planning agency as authorized in RCW 36.70.030 and RCW 36.70.040 before engaging in the chapter's planning program.
    • Zoning maps may be adopted only for areas covered by a comprehensive plan containing at least a land use element and a circulation element.
    • Zoning regulations may address land uses, building location and dimensions, yards and open spaces, population density, lot coverage, parking, and minimum gross floor area requirements for single-family detached dwellings.
    • The cited enabling provisions do not state a population threshold, named-county limitation, or special geographic limitation.
    “Any board, by ordinance, may establish classifications, within each of which, specific controls are identified, and which will regulate:”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Washington counties requiring and enforcing building permits and adopting amendments to the state building code for residential construction within county jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas.

    • The state building code must be enforced by counties and cities within their jurisdictional boundaries.
    • A county without a building department must contract with another county, city, or approved inspection agency for enforcement.
    • County amendments may not diminish the minimum performance standards and objectives of the state building code.
    • Residential-building amendments are subject to approval by the state building code council under RCW 19.27.074(1)(b), except as provided by statute.
    • The building-permit definition incorporates exemptions in International Building Code section 105.2 and International Residential Code section R105.2.
    • Counties may adopt permit exemptions for certain specified R-3 or M-1 construction or alteration with total fair market value not exceeding $1,500, but the exemption does not remove substantive code standards.

    permit-exemption fair-market-value ceiling: <= 1500 USD (Applies only to certain construction or alteration of group R, division 3, or group M, division 1 occupancies under RCW 19.27.060(7); substantive code standards still apply.)

    “The state building code required by this chapter shall be enforced by the counties and cities. Any county or city not having a building department shall contract with another county, city, or inspection agency approved by the county or city for enforcement of the state building code within its jurisdictional boundaries.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy in Clark County.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning across Clark County, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated Clark County.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks in unincorporated Clark County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Clark County.
7 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Manufactured homes
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Clark County, Washington

Is Clark County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Clark County scores 50/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 97,805 people within a 30-minute drive and higher long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Clark County, Washington?

Clark County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Clark County Public Health. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Clark County, Washington?

Land in Clark County runs about $18,755 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Clark County?

Clark County gets about 66.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 6.7% of years.

How remote is Clark County?

A representative private-land location has about 97,805 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,664,896 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Clark County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Clark compares in Washington

Compare side-by-side →See all 39 Washington counties ranked →