Building permits in Seattle, WA
Permits for Seattle are issued by Seattle Dept. of Construction & Inspections (SDCI). Applications go through the portal below.
Where to file
- Department
- Seattle Dept. of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)
- Phone
- (206) 684-8600
- Portal
- www.seattle.gov/sdci/permits
Seattle Services Portal for applications, inspections, payments. 700 5th Ave, Ste 2000.
What each job needs in Seattle
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with Seattle Dept. of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Washington
Contractors must register with L&I (bond + liability insurance) as a general or specialty contractor before doing work.
Issued by Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I) · Verify a licence
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Department, portal and phone are from the jurisdiction's published information and have not been re-checked recently. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.