Who pulls the permit: your contractor or you?

What it costs, with dates

Permit fees vary by office, and we found no statewide figure. We also found no official installed-price figure, so don't let anyone quote you a number as standard. Ask that written bids show permits as a separate line, name who buys each one, and say who attends inspections and pays for any re-inspection. Rebates sit on a separate page, as of November 2026, and most depend on the contractor you pick.

Who does the work

Check any contractor on L&I's verify tool, which shows active registration, tradesperson certification and the workers' comp account. L&I requires a $30,000 bond for general contractors and $15,000 for specialty, plus insurance of $200,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined. Your part: ask for permit numbers, be home for the final inspection if you can, and keep the final inspection record. A breaker or switch check is as far as your own hands go.

Does a heat pump install legally need a permit?

Plan on yes. We found no L&I page that says "a heat pump install needs a permit" in those words, so we'll state the closest text plainly. L&I says "You must purchase a permit before starting any electrical work," and its permit exemptions do not include replacing an equipment unit such as an electrical furnace or heat pump.

The mechanical side is local. Unincorporated King County requires one for installing, replacing or relocating furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, air conditioners and boilers, and cites a setback rule for freestanding heat pumps. Tacoma's over-the-counter list includes a like-for-like replacement of a heat pump or furnace. Each city has its own office.

What does Seattle add?

Seattle separates refrigeration from other mechanical work. Its sheet says "Only licensed refrigeration contractors can get a refrigeration license," and the mechanical permit excludes refrigeration.

It also limits heat pumps to no more than 45 decibels at the property line, with noise review for side-yard equipment, and none for ductless unless there's a complaint. Expect cover and final inspections.

What are Spokane's permit rules?

We can't tell you. The City of Spokane's permit pages blocked us when we checked on November 3, 2026, so Spokane's mechanical permit rules are unconfirmed here. You may see a fee or a duct-leakage affidavit mentioned elsewhere. We could not confirm either on a city page, so we won't print them.

Call the city's permit office before work, and ask who buys each permit and whether the city or L&I handles electrical in your location. If you are outside the city limits, ask the county too. The east side starting page has the rest of the picture for those homes, and the Spokane furnace page covers the equipment choice.