Seattle Building Permit Services

Understanding Seattle's Permit Process

Seattle building permits are administered by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). The process involves application submittal, plan review by city examiners, correction rounds, permit issuance, and inspections during construction.

Seattle's permitting system can be complex, particularly for projects in environmentally critical areas, historic districts, or those requiring Design Review. Many homeowners and contractors find that working with a permit specialist saves significant time and avoids costly resubmittals.

Types of Seattle Building Permits We Handle

Residential Remodel Permits

Kitchen and bathroom remodels, interior wall removal, window and door changes, and structural modifications. Seattle requires permits for most remodel work that involves structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical changes. Typical timeline: 4-8 weeks for plan review.

ADU and DADU Permits

Seattle has been encouraging Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) to increase housing density. These permits require site plans, building plans, and compliance with Seattle's ADU regulations including lot coverage, setbacks, and parking requirements. Typical timeline: 8-16 weeks.

New Construction Permits

New single-family homes, townhomes, and multifamily buildings. These projects involve the full SDCI review process including zoning review, structural review, energy code compliance, and potentially SEPA review. Timeline: 3-6 months or more depending on project scope.

Deck and Patio Permits

Decks over 30 inches above grade, attached pergolas, and covered patios typically require permits in Seattle. These are often reviewed under the simpler Subject-to-Field Inspection (STFI) process with faster turnaround. Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks.

Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Permits

Stand-alone trade permits for electrical panel upgrades, new circuits, plumbing re-pipes, water heater replacements, HVAC installations, and more. These can often be obtained quickly, sometimes same-day for simple projects.

Commercial Tenant Improvements

Restaurant build-outs, office remodels, retail space changes, and change-of-use permits. Commercial permits in Seattle often require coordination with multiple departments including the Fire Marshal's office and Seattle Public Utilities.

Seattle Permit Timelines

Permit Type	Typical Review Time	Notes
Deck / Minor Work	2-4 weeks	STFI process available for simple projects
Residential Remodel	4-8 weeks	Longer if structural review required
ADU / DADU	8-16 weeks	Includes zoning and building review
New Construction	3-6+ months	May include Design Review
Commercial TI	4-12 weeks	Depends on scope and change-of-use
Trade Permits (Elec/Plumb/Mech)	1-7 days	Often same-day for simple work

Why Work With Fresh Permits in Seattle?

• We know SDCI. We understand Seattle's review process, correction cycles, and how to submit complete applications the first time.
• Faster approvals. Incomplete applications are the number-one cause of permit delays. We review your plans for completeness before submittal.
• Correction resolution. If your application receives corrections from plan reviewers, we work directly with examiners to resolve issues quickly.
• Status tracking. We monitor your application status and follow up with SDCI so you always know where your permit stands.
• Free consultation. We assess your project and give you a clear picture of what permits you need, what they will cost, and how long they will take.

Seattle Neighborhoods We Serve

We handle permits for projects throughout the City of Seattle, including Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, West Seattle, Columbia City, Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, University District, Green Lake, Ravenna, Northgate, Lake City, Georgetown, SoDo, and all other neighborhoods within Seattle city limits.