Why are building permits necessary? What types of home repair or remodeling work may require a permit? What are the setbacks and height restrictions for building on my lot? Does the City have a copy of my original house plans that I can look at? Do I need a business license to do work in the City of Clyde Hill? Can I purchase or renew my dog and cat pet licenses at Clyde Hill City Hall? The streetlight near my house is out. How can I get it fixed? What can my neighbors and I do to help the Public Works Street Maintenance staff keep our streets clean and our storm drains running freely? My neighbor's trees block my view — what can I do? My neighbor doesn't mow his lawn or trim the shrubs on his property. Can the City force him to maintain these features in his yard? There is a dog in my neighborhood that barks all night long, what can I do? Are there codes limiting the hours of construction noise? Can I apply for a new passport at the City of Clyde Hill? What do I need to bring when applying for a passport? Do I need a permit to replace my roof? What percentage of my total real estate tax goes to the City of Clyde Hill? For Police FAQs click here Why are building permits necessary? Building permits protect the community by insuring that minimum health and safety standards are met as prescribed by the 1997 Uniform Building Code, which has been adopted by the State of Washington and the City of Clyde Hill. BACK TO TOP What types of home repair or remodeling work may require a permit? New construction. Additions to existing house, garage, or accessory building. Any remodel work which exceeds $1,500 in value. For example: kitchen or bath remodels; converting a carport to a garage; adding a sunroom. New decks and deck repairs if the deck is over 30 inches above the ground. New windows or replacement of existing windows. New or replacement hot water tanks, furnaces and air conditioning units. Accessory buildings or sheds over 120 square feet. Swimming pools and spas. New or redesigned storm water drainage systems. Demolition of any structure(s). Retaining walls which are over 30 inches above the ground. Landscaping or grading work where more than 50 yards of dirt is moved, imported or exported. New driveways or replacement of existing driveway. Fences over 6 feet in height. Roof repair, which involves structural upgrades or replacement, or if new roofing material is substantially heavier in weight than current roofing material. (i.e.: changing from a composite roof to a clay tile roof). BACK TO TOP What are the setbacks and height restrictions for building on my lot? That information varies depending on the size of your lot. Call City Hall at 425-453-7800 and we will provide you with the information specific to your site, or you can read through our Municipal Code. BACK TO TOP Does the City have a copy of my original house plans that I can look at? We may have them depending on when your house was built or remodeled. The State of Washington Department of Records & Archives requires that we retain single-family house plans for only 90 days after the project is completed. In the mid 80's, when a lack of storage space became an issue, citizens were notified to pick up their plans or the plans were destroyed. Since that point in time, our policy has been to keep plans on file. BACK TO TOP Do I need a business license to do work in the City of Clyde Hill? No. We do not issue business licenses. However we do ask that you report sales taxes under our tax number 1708. If you run your business out of your home in Clyde Hill, you will need to apply for an annual Home Occupation permit. BACK TO TOP Can I purchase or renew my dog and cat pet licenses at Clyde Hill City Hall? Yes, we process both new registrations and renewals. BACK TO TOP The streetlight near my house is out. How can I get it fixed? Obtain the 23-digit identification number off the metal plaque on the pole. You may call City Hall at 425-453-7800 and we will notify PSE, or report it yourself at the website www.intolight.com. BACK TO TOP What can my neighbors and I do to help the Public Works Street Maintenance staff keep our streets clean and our storm drains running freely? Clean all debris off any storm drains near your home, don't rake or blow leaves and yard debris into street or right-of-way; keep vegetation planted in the right-of-way trimmed back to prevent sight obstructions; keep ground around plants clean to prevent rain from washing debris into street and drains. BACK TO TOP My neighbor's trees block my view — what can I do? The City of Clyde Hill developed a view ordinance in 1991 that regulates the maintenance and restoration of views. The ordinance establishes a specific process of resolving situations where the growth of one or more trees on a neighboring property unreasonably obstructs the view or sunlight reaching a particular property. A process is established requiring the complainant to make all efforts with their neighbor in an attempt to work out a solution as neighbors. If these efforts fail, the complainant is next required to contact the King County Dispute Resolution Center and allow them to try to mediate a settlement. If both of these options fail, then the complainant may contact City Hall and receive an application packet with information explaining what needs to be done to bring the matter before the City's Board of Adjustment for settlement. BACK TO TOP My neighbor doesn't mow his lawn or trim the shrubs on his property. Can the City force him to maintain these features in his yard? No. The City of Clyde Hill has no codes or ordinances regulating overgrown lawns or shrubs unless they intrude onto the public streets or sidewalks. BACK TO TOP There is a dog in my neighborhood that barks all night long, what can I do? The City of Clyde Hill contracts with King County Animal Control to provide animal control services. Their phone number is (206) 296-PETS or (206) 296-7387. BACK TO TOP Are there codes limiting the hours of construction noise? Yes. Construction work hours are 7am - 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am - 4pm Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. These hours apply to noisy machines as well, such as leaf blowers. BACK TO TOP Can I apply for a new passport at the City of Clyde Hill? Yes, Passports maybe applied for on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings from 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM. Additional passport information is available at travel.state.gov. BACK TO TOP What do I need to bring when applying for a passport? You will need to provide two passport photos, identification, birth certificate, and citizenship evidence, a check or cash for $25 to the City of Clyde Hill, and a second check for the passport fee: age 16 & over = $75, age 15 & under = $60. For more information go to www.travel.state.gov. BACK TO TOP Do I need a permit to replace my roof? A permit is only necessary for roof repair which involves structural upgrades or replacement, or if new roofing material is substantially heavier in weight than current roofing material (i.e.: changing from a composite roof to a clay roof). If you are unsure, call the building department at 425-453-7800. BACK TO TOP What percentage of my total real estate tax goes to the City of Clyde Hill? Only 8% of the real estate property tax bill paid by Clyde Hill property owners goes to the City of Clyde Hill for municipal government services. These services include but are not limited to: police, fire, and medic one, street operations, roadway improvements, storm drainage to prevent flooding, sidewalks, building code enforcement, park facilities, and general municpal government. Other taxing districts receiving a portion of your property tax dollars include state schools (33%), Bellevue schools (29%), King County (18%), Port of Seattle (3%), Emergency Medical Services (3%), and the King County Library (6%). When compared to the other 39 cities and towns in King County, only 1 other city can boast of a lower city property tax rate than Clyde Hill. BACK TO TOP