Permit & inspection path

For: Homeowners planning a permanent standby generator. High-level path only. Your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) wins.

National framing (typical)

Site / placement conversation with installer: clearances from openings, property lines, combustible materials; exhaust direction; noise; HOA if any.
Electrical permit for generator, transfer equipment, and related wiring.
Fuel / mechanical / building permits as required for gas piping, tanks, pads, or enclosures.
Licensed install — electrician for electrical; licensed gas work for fuel piping where required.
Inspection(s) before covering work and before final approval / energizing as directed by the AHJ.
Utility notice when required (some utilities want notification of standby equipment).

Search: “your city/county building department electrical permit generator”
Call the building / permitting desk and ask: electrical vs mechanical for standby generators; who inspects transfer switches; owner-builder limits.
Ask your licensed contractor which office they pull permits from for your address (city vs county vs state).
National starting points (not a substitute for local rules): manufacturer install manuals + local amendments to the NEC / IRC.

Washington electrical work is governed under state electrical law (RCW 19.28) with the NEC as adopted/amended. Many areas permit through WA L&I Electrical; some cities/counties run delegated electrical programs instead.
Permanent standby + transfer equipment is typically treated as permitted electrical work performed by a licensed electrical contractor. Do not assume a homeowner permit covers transfer-switch / generator tie-in.
Local jurisdictions may also want mechanical or land-use review for setbacks, pads, and LP tanks (example pattern: site plan + equipment cut sheets). Ask planning/building as well as electrical.
Verify contractor licenses on L&I before you sign.

Outside WA: same idea — identify who issues electrical permits for your parcel, then ask about fuel and zoning overlays.

Which permits are required for my address (electrical, mechanical, building, fire)?
Is an ATS required for permanent standby here?
Are interlocks allowed only for portable setups?
What clearance / setback package do you expect on the site plan?
Who calls in inspections, and in what order (rough / final; electrical before mechanical final)?
Any utility notification or interconnection paperwork?