Ramps in Washington: permits, renters' rights, door openers

A family in Tacoma or Yakima adding a ramp or an automatic door usually wants to know two things: who signs off on it, and whether a renter is allowed to do it at all. In Washington the first answer is local, and the second is written into state civil rights law.

This guide covers both, then moves to the threshold ramps and door openers we carry and how Washington's weather affects the choice.

The code is statewide; the permit desk is local

Washington adopts one building code for the whole state, but it does not run the permit counter itself. RCW 19.27.050 says: "The state building code required by this chapter shall be enforced by the counties and cities." A county or city without a building department "shall contract with another county, city, or inspection agency" to do it.

For houses, the residential part of that code is set by the State Building Code Council in chapter 51-51 of the Washington Administrative Code. WAC 51-51-003 states that "The 2021 edition of the International Residential Code as published by the International Code Council is hereby adopted by reference," with Washington's own additions and exceptions, and WAC 51-51-008 made it effective "in all counties and cities of this state on March 15, 2024." Those are the editions the Legislature's site showed when we checked in October 2026.

What that means for a ramp: whether yours needs a permit, and which design rules apply, is decided by your city or county building department under that code. A low rubber threshold ramp at a doorway and a long wooden ramp off a porch are very different projects, and only the local office can tell you where its line falls. Ask before you buy lumber. We will not guess at a permit answer for your address.

If you rent: RCW 49.60.222

Washington's Law Against Discrimination speaks to home modifications. Under RCW 49.60.222(2)(a), disability discrimination in housing includes "A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the dwelling." In a rental, the landlord "may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the dwelling to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted."

Two practical points follow from the text. The tenant pays for the modification. And the restoration condition the statute mentions is about the interior, so put any agreement about an exterior ramp in writing with your landlord before work begins.

Water, moss and winter on the doorstep

NOAA's Washington summary describes frequent storms carried by the jet stream and abundant Pacific moisture west of the Cascades, with most of the year's precipitation falling in winter. East of the mountains, temperatures range more widely, and the long-term average is 3.7 nights a year at 0°F or colder. A ramp surface that stays grippy when wet, and a doorway you do not have to wrestle open in the rain, earn their keep in either half of the state.

Products for a Washington entryway

• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp: for thresholds up to 4 in high, with non-slip rubber, beveled sides, a 36 in usable width and an 850 lb capacity at every height. Harmar rates it for use inside or out, and its sections join with puzzle-like edges and no hardware.
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener: it unlatches through an electric strike, opens the door up to 120 degrees, holds it for an adjustable 5 to 30 seconds and runs on an internal battery in a power failure.
• Open Sesame Keyless Entry Pad (E): a wireless keypad outside the door that works the opener with a 4-digit code, useful for caregivers who come and go.
• Open Sesame Proximity Sensor Tag Set: a reader with 3, 6 and 9 ft settings that works from both sides of the wall, with two tags in the set.

The measurements quoted here appear on each listing in our store.

How these fit together: a threshold ramp solves a lip of a few inches at the door, while the opener solves the door itself. Many Washington homes need both at the same entry. If the rise is more than 4 in, the threshold ramp is not enough, and a built ramp or a lift becomes the conversation, along with that local permit question.

Washington assistive technology help

The AT3 Center lists the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) for device loans, demonstrations, reutilization and a financial loan. WATAP also takes questions and offers technical assistance, which can help when you are comparing a ramp, a door opener or both.

Getting it to your Washington door

We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. Door openers involve wiring and a strike in the frame, so line up that help early. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See shipping to Washington or start the ramp fit check.

Questions about ramps in Washington

Who decides if my Washington wheelchair ramp needs a permit?

Your county or city. RCW 19.27.050 says the state building code "shall be enforced by the counties and cities," and places without a building department must contract for enforcement. The residential code itself is set statewide in chapter 51-51 WAC. Ask your local building department before building anything larger than a threshold ramp.

Can my landlord refuse to let me add a ramp in Washington?

RCW 49.60.222(2)(a) treats refusing "reasonable modifications of existing premises," made at the disabled person's expense, as discrimination when the change may be necessary for full enjoyment of the home. A landlord may reasonably require that the interior be restored at move-out, reasonable wear and tear excepted.

Which edition of the residential code applies in Washington?

When we checked in October 2026, WAC 51-51-003 adopted the 2021 International Residential Code with Washington amendments, and WAC 51-51-008 made it effective statewide on March 15, 2024. Codes change on a cycle, so confirm the current edition with your local building department.

Does a door opener keep working if the power goes out?

The Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener has an internal battery that keeps it running in a power failure, according to its product page. It also stops if it meets an obstruction, and its clutch disengages when idle so the door still works by hand.

Shop ramps and door openers, use the ramp fit check, or take the full assessment for the whole home. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• RCW 19.27.050, enforcement of the state building code
• WAC 51-51-003, International Residential Code adoption
• WAC 51-51-008, implementation date
• RCW 49.60.222, unfair practices in real estate transactions
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Washington (2022)
• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp product page
• Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener product page
• Open Sesame Keyless Entry Pad (E) product page
• Open Sesame Proximity Sensor Tag Set product page
• Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)
• AT3 Center: Washington