Rules depend on whether your address is inside the City of Vancouver, in another city such as Camas or Battle Ground, or in unincorporated Clark County such as Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Orchards and Felida. We checked the points below against city, county and state sources in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm for your address.
Do I need a permit for a driveway or patio?
Often you do not need a permit for a plain patio or for replacing a driveway as it was. The City of Vancouver says a like for like driveway repair or replacement needs no over-the-counter land use permit. Modifying a driveway, adding a second one or putting in an RV pad does need that permit from Land Use Planning. In unincorporated Clark County, the county code exempts sidewalks and driveways no more than 30 inches above grade from a building permit. Anything touching the street side needs separate approval.
- City of Vancouver: paved surfaces only. Gravel driveways are not permitted.
- City of Vancouver: all drainage must remain on site.
- Work on the approach, curb or sidewalk: a Right-of-Way permit from the city, or an approach permit from Clark County on a county road.
- Covered patios and slabs for buildings: part of a building permit.
Do I need a permit to widen my driveway?
Yes, in the City of Vancouver. If you widen the driveway on your lot, that is a modification and needs the over-the-counter land use permit. If the curb opening or the approach also gets wider, you need a Right-of-Way permit as well. On a county road, a changed approach needs a permit from the county road engineer under Clark County Code 12.08.
Who owns the driveway apron: me or the city?
The apron, which the city calls the driveway approach, sits in the public right of way, so the public owns the land. The city requires a Right-of-Way permit for any work on it, and says the work must be done by a contractor approved to work in the city right of way. In practice the owner of the house pays to build and repair it. We did not find a city page that states the apron duty in one sentence, so ask Permit Center Engineering for your address.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk in front of my house?
You are, inside the City of Vancouver. The city states that repair and maintenance of sidewalks is the duty of the abutting property owner under Vancouver Municipal Code 11.30. For homes in unincorporated Clark County and in the other cities, we could not confirm the rule from an official page, so check with that office.
The city sent me a notice to fix the sidewalk. Must I use the city's contractor, or can I hire my own?
If the city sent a correction notice, you can hire your own contractor. The City of Vancouver inspects sidewalks and sends notices when it finds defects such as a vertical separation over half an inch, wide cracks, deep spalling or standing water. A permit to work in the right of way is required before the repair. The city asks owners to contact its Sidewalk Management Program first. The notice itself gives your deadline.
How close to the property line can I pour? Do I need a survey?
How close to the property line you can pour depends on your zoning, and we could not confirm one setback number for flatwork, so ask the planning counter. Whatever the rule, the slab must not send water onto the neighbor. You need a survey when the line is unclear, when a fence is the only marker, or when a wall or drive will sit close to it. Finding the corner pins costs far less than moving concrete.
Do I need HOA approval?
If your home is in an HOA, yes, check before you sign a contract. Many newer neighborhoods in east Vancouver, Camas and Ridgefield have rules on driveway width, colors, stamped finishes and RV parking pads. The HOA's approval is separate from any city or county permit, and you need both.
How much of my lot can I cover with concrete?
There are limits on impervious surface and lot coverage, and they vary by zone and by the size of the project. We could not confirm the exact figures online, so we do not quote one. What we can confirm is that the City of Vancouver requires driveway drainage to remain on site. Large amounts of new hard surface can trigger stormwater review in the city and the county. Ask before planning a big pad.
When does a retaining wall need a permit or an engineer?
Clark County code exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet in height from a building permit, and notes that walls may still be subject to setbacks. Taller walls need a permit, and in practice a design from an engineer. A shorter wall that holds up a driveway, a slope or a building load should also be engineered. The area is in a high seismic design category, which is one more reason not to guess on a tall wall. Confirm the rule in the city for your address.
How do I find underground utility lines before digging?
Call 811 or use the Washington 811 online ticket system to have underground utility lines located. Washington's dig law, RCW 19.122, requires notice two to ten full business days before the work starts. The service is free. Since January 1, 2026, digging may not begin until every utility operator in the area has given a positive response. Locates cover public utilities only. Private lines such as sprinklers, yard lighting, propane and septic pipes are not marked.
I need a wheelchair ramp and a wider walkway. Are there rules?
For a private home there is no single required ramp design, but a ramp attached to the house can need a building permit, so ask first. The usual design guide is a slope no steeper than 1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run, with level landings and a non-slip broom finish. That finish matters here because the surface is wet for much of the year. A business must meet accessibility standards, which are stricter.
My house is in a historic district or has old decorative concrete. Can I replace it?
Possibly, but ask before you break anything out. Homes on a local historic register or in a historic area can need a review before visible changes. We could not confirm the review steps online, so start with the Permit Center. Old scored or stamped walks can sometimes be matched in pattern and color.
Not sure which office covers your address? Call (360) 995-1179 and we will work it out with you.