You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-09-16.
Seattle building permits
Seattle, Washington — as published 2026-09-16.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Construction Permit - Addition or Alteration
Required to add to or alter an existing building in Seattle. Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Construction Permit - Addition or Alteration".
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- A construction permit is required before beginning an addition or alteration
- Work is reviewed against the 2021 Seattle Building Code or the 2021 Seattle Residential Code depending on the structure
- Energy-code compliance is reviewed under the 2021 Seattle Energy Code
Required documents
- RequiredSite planSite plan
- RequiredFloor plansFloor plans
- RequiredElevations and sections sufficient to show code complianceElevations and sections sufficient to show code compliance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. For a building permit with or without mechanical, Table D-2 for 22.900D.010 sets both the permit fee and the plan review fee at 100% of the Development Fee Index. |
Construction Permit - Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI)
Seattle issues a Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) construction permit for work that SDCI can verify by field inspection rather than through full plan review. STFI is a REVIEW ROUTE rather than a category of work: it describes how the permit is checked, not what is being built.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- Issued for work SDCI can verify by field inspection rather than full plan review
- Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Construction Permit - Subject-to-Field-Inspection"
Required documents
- RequiredApplication through SDCIApplication through SDCI
- RequiredScope description sufficient for field inspectionScope description sufficient for field inspection
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. For STFI (subject to field inspection - building and/or mechanical), Table D-2 for 22.900D.010 sets the permit fee at 100% of the Development Fee Index and the plan review component at the SDCI hourly rate with a one hour minimum. |
Refrigeration Permit
Required for installation, addition, repair, replacement and alteration of refrigeration equipment and systems, under section 22.900D.100 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- A refrigeration permit is required for the installation, addition, repair, replacement and alteration of refrigeration equipment and systems
Required documents
- RequiredEquipment scheduleEquipment schedule
- RequiredSystem capacity in tonsSystem capacity in tons
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Charged from Table D-10 for 22.900D.100 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle: a basic fee of $42.50 plus an additional installation fee per compressor, $35.55 for 0-5 tons and $72.25 for 6-25 tons. Show full citationHideCharged from Table D-10 for 22.900D.100 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle: a basic fee of $42.50 plus an additional installation fee per compressor, $35.55 for 0-5 tons and $72.25 for 6-25 tons. The Subtitle also provides that "Temporary installations of ten days' duration or less, made for the purposes of exhibition, display, or demonstration shall be charged a fee of $74.40 for each installation." A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". |
Demolition Permit - Building
Required to demolish a building in Seattle. Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Demolition Permit - Building".
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- A demolition permit is required before a building is demolished
Required documents
- RequiredSite plan showing the structure to be removedSite plan showing the structure to be removed
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. |
Re-Roof Permit
Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Re-Roof Permit". Required for qualifying roof replacement work in Seattle.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- A re-roof permit is required for qualifying roof replacement work
Required documents
- RequiredDescription of the roofing scopeDescription of the roofing scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. |
Electrical Permit
Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Electrical Permit". Seattle enforces its own Electrical Code, listed on the department's Codes We Enforce (A-Z) page.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- An electrical permit is required for electrical work within Seattle
Required documents
- RequiredDescription of the electrical scopeDescription of the electrical scope
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. Electrical fees are set in the 2026 Fee Subtitle; confirm the applicable table with SDCI for your scope. |
Mechanical Permit
Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Mechanical Permit".
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- A mechanical permit is required for mechanical work
- May be submitted as part of a building permit application or separately
Required documents
- RequiredEquipment scheduleEquipment schedule
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. Table D-2 for 22.900D.010 provides that a mechanical permit submitted as part of a building permit application is included in the building permit fee, while one submitted separately is charged at 100% of the Development Fee Index. |
Tree Removal
Listed by SDCI under Permits We Issue (A-Z) as "Tree Removal". Seattle enforces a Trees & Codes regime listed on its Codes We Enforce (A-Z) page.
Reviewed 2026-09-15 · Source
Requirements
- Tree removal is regulated by SDCI and may require authorisation before removal
Required documents
- RequiredSite plan identifying the treeSite plan identifying the tree
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit fee | From the city's own schedule - see notes | Seattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter… Show full citationHideSeattle sets most development fees from a Development Fee Index calculated from the project's valuation, under Table D-1 for 22.900D.010 of the 2026 Fee Subtitle (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 22.900, effective January 1, 2026). The Subtitle states the development fee "The development fee shall consist of a permit fee and, where plans are reviewed, a separate plan review fee. The permit fee and plan review fee shall be determined based on valuation". The index begins at "$325 for the first $1,000 of value or fraction thereof", then "$325 for the first $1,000 of value plus $1.60 for each additional $100 of value or fraction thereof". A technology fee is added on top "in the amount of five percent of all fees or charges required under the above chapters". Hourly work is billed at the SDCI hourly rate: "The hourly rate for land use review is $551. The rate for all other hourly fees is $292 an hour". Figures are quoted from the 2026 Fee Subtitle as published by SDCI and are not a quote for your project; valuation drives the number and SDCI determines valuation. |
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-15.
Fee schedules
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Seattle building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.