HomeMy WebLinkAboutConverting Houses to Nonresidential Uses
rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 11/22/2022 Page 1 of 2
CITY OF RENTON Ι PERMIT CENTER
CONVERTING HOUSES TO
NONRESIDENTIAL USES
This publication is offered as a general guideline to the permit process involved in converting single family dwellings to
offices, retail stores, restaurants or other similar non-residential uses.
Actual projects may involve special circumstances not covered here; please discuss the particulars of your project with
City staff.
PLANNING REQUIREMENTS
Your first inquiries concerning conversions of residential buildings to nonresidential uses should be directed to the
Customer Service Counter (425) 430-7200.
Planning staff will help you determine if the proposed use is allowed by Zoning Regulations, the required amount of on
-site parking and whether landscaping or other site improvements need to be incorporated into the project. The
Planning Department also administers the City’s sign regulations.
If you plan to conduct a business from your home and the residence remains the primary use, you may be considered
as a “home occupation”. Home occupations do not require a full-use conversion process; please contact Planning staff
for additional information.
PUBLIC WORKS REQUIREMENTS
Public Works (425) 430-7266 is responsible for reviewing water use, sewer connections, lot drainage, access to the site
from streets, and for regulating utility easements. Water meters are normally required when dwellings are converted
to nonresidential uses and transportation impact fees may be due. Public Works should be consulted to determine if
changes to site drainage, driveways, easements or utility services will be necessary for your project.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
Please contact King County Environmental Health (206) 296-4920 for an explanation of pertinent health regulations if
you are contemplating serving or preparing food in a converted dwelling. Building permits for dwelling conversions
involving food service to the public cannot be issued until the Health Department has reviewed and approved the
project.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS
The Fire Department will review your application for compliance with the Uniform Fire Code. Please contact Fire
Prevention Bureau (425) 276-9500 to discuss Fire Code requirements that may apply to your project. At the very least
you will be required to install portable fire extinguishers.
BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
The Building Division (425) 430-7200 is responsible for ensuring that building projects comply with the Uniform
building, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, the National Electrical and the State’s Non-Residential Energy Code and
Barrier-free Accessibility regulations. A building plans examiner is usually available to discuss your project with you
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Dwellings must usually be altered to one degree or another to make them suitable for commercial use, and permits are
required. Brochures explaining the permit process are available on the literature rack in Development Services; please
feel free to help yourself to these.
rentonwa.gov/permitcenter | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 11/22/2022 Page 2 of 2
CONVERTING HOUSES TO NONRESIDENTIAL USES
Providing barrier-free access and meeting fire protection standards are the two Building Code requirements
responsible for the majority of necessary building alterations:
BARRIER-FREE STANDARDS
Barrier-free parking and barrier-free access to the building must be provided when converting a dwelling to another
use. Usually a ramp must be constructed to provide access to the building. New or remodeled restrooms must meet
barrier-free standards, as must entry doors and service counters. Information explaining barrier-free requirements is
available at the Development Services customer counter.
FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS
Exterior walls may require modifications to provide one-hour fire protection, depending upon both how far the building
is from property lines and its intended post-conversion use. Some one-hour exterior walls require parapets and
protected openings; in some circumstances openings in exterior walls must be filled in.
Food service establishments often require special fire safety hoods at stoves and other kitchen equipment.
Finally, basements and attics are generally required to be separated from other building areas with one-hour
construction.
BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
You will also need a City of Renton Business License. Please call (425) 430-6851 for further information or visit the
City’s web site at www.rentonwa.gov and click on “site index” and then “Business Licenses”.