Seattle building permits
Building permits in Seattle are issued by the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)1. You can apply and request inspections online through services.seattle.gov2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Seattle? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Seattle
- Seattle building permit fees
- How to get a building permit in Seattle
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Seattle
- Building without a permit in Seattle
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Washington rules that also apply in Seattle
- Sources
Building department contacts
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)1
Building permits
- Website
- seattle.gov1
- Apply online
- services.seattle.gov2
- Phone
- (206) 684-86001
- Address
- 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98104 (mailing: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019)1
- Hours
- Most staff 8 AM - 4 PM (phone or email)3
- Inspections
- Online, or 24-hour line (206) 684-89004
Public Health – Seattle & King County, Plumbing and Gas Piping Program6
Health department
- Website
- kingcounty.gov5
- Apply online
- kingcounty.gov6
- Phone
- (206) 263-9566 (Downtown Seattle)6
- Address
- 401 5th Ave., Suite 1100, Seattle, WA 98104 (mailing)5
- Hours
- Mon, Wed, Fri 8 am to 3 pm; Tue, Thu 10:30 am to 3 pm6
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: services.seattle.gov7.
Do you need a permit in Seattle? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Seattle's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height: 8 feet8 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | – |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 120 square feet9 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | Like-for-like replacement exempt? Yes8 |
| Pool | Yes | – |
| Water heater | Yes | – |
Building codes in force in Seattle
These are the model codes Seattle enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Washington building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code (IRC) | 2021 Seattle Residential Code10 | 202110 | 11 |
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2021 Seattle Building Code12 | 202112 | 11 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | Seattle Existing Building Code (2021 IEBC base)13 | 202113 | 11 |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | Seattle Mechanical Code (2021 IMC base)14 | 202114 | 11 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | Seattle Fuel Gas Code (2021 IFGC base)15 | 202115 | 11 |
| Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) | 2021 Seattle Plumbing Code16 | 202116 | 11 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | 2023 Seattle Electrical Code17 | 202317 | – |
Seattle building permit fees
Fees come from the 2026 Fee Subtitle – Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.90018, effective 18.
How valuation is set. Project value → Development Fee Index (Table D-1); Table D-2 sets permit and plan review fees as % of DFI18.
Each line is worded as in Seattle’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| SDCI base fee | Flat fee | $29218 |
| Technology fee | Technology surcharge | 5% of all fees18 |
| Development Fee Index $0 to $1,000 | Based on project valuation | $0 to $1,000 $325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $1,001 to $25,000 | Based on project valuation | $1,001 to $25,000 $325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $25,001 to $50,000 | Based on project valuation | $25,001 to $50,000 $709 for the first $25,000 of value plus $1.55 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $50,001 to $75,000 | Based on project valuation | $50,001 to $75,000 $1,096.50 for the first $50,000 of value plus $1.50 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $75,001 to $100,000 | Based on project valuation | $75,001 to $100,000 $1,471.50 for the first $75,000 of value plus $1.40 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $100,001 to $175,000 | Based on project valuation | $100,001 to $175,000 $1,821.50 for the first $100,000 of value plus $7.75 for each additional $1,000 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $175,001 to $250,000 | Based on project valuation | $175,001 to $250,000 $2,402.75 for the first $175,000 of value plus $7.75 for each additional $1,000 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Development Fee Index $250,001 to $500,000 | Based on project valuation | $250,001 to $500,000 $2,984 for the first $250,000 of value plus $7.50 for each additional $1,000 of value or fraction thereof18 |
| Building permit (with or without mechanical) – permit fee and plan review fee | Based on project valuation | Permit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 100% of DFI18 |
| STFI (subject-to-field-inspection) permit – permit fee and plan review fee | Based on project valuation | Permit fee 100% of DFI; plan review fee 40% of DFI18 |
| Minimum value-based permit or plan review fee | Minimum fee | $29218 |
| Minimum STFI value-based plan review fee | Minimum fee | $116.7518 |
| Unenclosed pools accessory to Group R-3 Occupancy | – | Base fee x 418 |
| Commercial Re-Roofing Permit | – | Base fee x .518 |
| Permit renewal or reestablishment | – | 1.5 x hourly fee19 |
| Washington State Building Code Council fee (residential building permit) | State surcharge | $6.50 per residential building permit (+$2 per additional unit in multi-unit buildings)20 |
| Plumbing/Backflow Permit (Public Health – Seattle & King County) | Per fixture or item | $137 plus $27 per Fixture21 |
| Gas Piping/Medical Gas Permit (Public Health – Seattle & King County) | Per fixture or item | $137 plus $27 per Outlet21 |
How to get a building permit in Seattle
- Research property information, zoning, and permit history2
- Submit preliminary application materials (pre-application) in the Seattle Services Portal2
- Schedule an electronic intake appointment (not needed for STFI permits)2
- Pay fees once the application is complete2
- Plan review; respond to corrections2
- Pay outstanding fees and print permit and approved plans2
- Request each required inspection4
- Apply online
- Yes2
- Over-the-counter permits
- Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) permits for simple projects, issued with minimal review22
- Posting the permit
- Display permit in a visible location on site23
Permit expiration and extensions
Inspections in Seattle
Seattle’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Foundation inspection (before placing of concrete)4
- Framing Inspection (before insulating or covering framing)4
- Insulation inspection (after insulation is installed)4
- Final inspection4
- Same-day inspection if requested before 7 AM4
- How to schedule
- Online, or 24-hour line (206) 684-89004
- Re-inspection fee
- 1/2 x base fee per reinspection18
- After the final inspection
- Approval to occupy after final inspection (Certificate of Occupancy may be required for projects other than single-family homes and duplexes)4
Building without a permit in Seattle
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil penalty Seattle Residential Code R103.5 | Building without a permit24 | Up to $500 per day24 | Special investigation inspection before a permit is issued for work already started; special investigation fee may be assessed8 |
| Stop-work order Seattle Residential Code R103.3 | Starting a building, addition, or remodeling project without a permit24 | Stop work order24 | – |
| Criminal penalty Seattle Residential Code R103.8 | Violating a notice of violation or order of the building official8 | Fine of not more than $5,000 and/or up to 365 days imprisonment per violation8 | – |
| Investigation fee SMC 22.900B.020.F | Work started before a permit (special investigation), value $0–5,00018 | 1 x base fee (value $0–5,000); 3 x (5,001–50,000); 5 x (50,001–100,000); 10 x (100,001–500,000); 50 x (500,001–5,000,000); 100% of permit fee over 5,000,00018 | – |
| Investigation fee | Plumbing/gas work done without a permit (Public Health – Seattle & King County)21 | $273 plus $55 per Fixture/Outlet21 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes8
- Homeowner electrical work
- Yes25
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes6
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Owner must own and occupy the property (electrical work)25
Washington's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Washington permit guide.
Washington rules that also apply in Seattle
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Washington
- Contractor licensing in Washington
- Selling a home with unpermitted work in Washington
- Private plan review and inspections in Washington
Sources
- Fences - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- How Do You Get a Permit? - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Contact Us - Hours & LocationCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Construction Inspections - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing and gas piping - King County, WashingtonPublic Health – Seattle & King County (King County)Checked November 6, 2026
- Plumbing and gas piping applications and permitsPublic Health – Seattle & King County (King County)Checked November 7, 2026
- Research a Project, Permit, or PropertyCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- 2021 Seattle Residential Code, Chapter 1 AdministrationCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Sheds - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Residential Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- 2021 Seattle Code Adoption - TimelineCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Building Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Existing Building Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Mechanical Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Fuel Gas Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Plumbing Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- Electrical Code - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 6, 2026
- 2026 Fee Subtitle and related documents (SMC Chapter 22.900)City of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsEffective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Building Permit RenewalsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- RCW 19.27.085 Building code council account—Building permit feeWashington State LegislatureChecked November 7, 2026
- Plumbing and Gas Piping Program fees (through 2026)Public Health – Seattle & King County (King County)Effective January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- How Much Will Your Permit Cost? - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Construction Permit - Subject-to-Field-InspectionCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Construction Without a Permit - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026
- Electrical Permit - Construction and InspectionsCity of Seattle, Seattle Department of Construction & InspectionsChecked November 7, 2026