Get your property information. Find property information to help you plan your project.
- Use our GIS Mapto find zoning and environmentally critical areas information
- Check the Seattle Services Portalfor recent permits or violations on your property
- Visit the Microfilm Library for older permit information not available on the web
- Use the King County Department of Assessments address search to get your assessor's parcel number (APN)
- Tip 233, Sources for Property Information
Determine restrictions to your project. Research the codes to determine building size limits, setbacks, parking requirements, and life / safety requirements.
- Environmentally Critical Areas Code
- Land Use Code
- Seattle Residential Code (SRC)
- Zoning Information
- Tip 220, Lot Coverage, Height and Yard Standards for Homes in Neighborhood Residential Zones
Research Stormwater Code requirements. We may require a drainage review of your project. You need to determine whether stormwater requirements apply to your project to submit a complete and accurate application.
- Stormwater Code
- Tip 303, Applicant Responsibilities and Plan Requirements for Single Family and Two-Unit Dwellings
Find incentives for your project. Research the City's different incentives that might apply to your project.
- Green Building Incentives
- City Light Energy Conservation
- Rainwise
Attend a coaching session. We offer 20 minutes of free video coaching through the Applicant Services Center to answer drainage, land use, geotechnical, or construction permit questions. If you need a longer session with a land use planner or a geotechnical engineer, we offer one-hour sessions for a fee.
- Request for Paid Coaching
Start your application. Complete the Building & Land Use Pre-Application online using the Seattle Services Portal. You will need to upload a site plan and a complete legal description for your site. You'll receive an email once we have added the pre-application site visit (PASV) fees to your project. (All new single family or duplex projects require a PASV.) After you have paid the fee, we will perform the inspection. Your preliminary application materials will be sent to other departments for their review and comment.
- Tip 103, Site Plan Requirements
Review your preliminary application report. You will receive a preliminary application report that will include critical information about whether you need Design Review, SEPA, or street improvements. Our report will include information from the utilities about your specific site and proposal. Our report will also identify potential project stoppers.
Note: If your project requires street improvements, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) may require you to submit plans to them at least 5 days before your permit intake appointment. We will not accept your project at intake if SDOT doesn't accept your plans.
- SDOT CAM 2206, Interdepartmental Permit Coordination for New Construction Project
Apply for exemptions. You may need an exemption if your project is located in an environmentally critical area or near the shoreline.
- Shoreline Exemptions
- ECA Exemptions
Prepare your plans. Plans should be to scale and easy to read.
- Construction and Land Use Permit Checklist - New Single Family / Duplex
- Construction and Land Use Permit Standards - New Single Family / Duplex
- Standard Construction Stormwater Control and Soil Amendment Plan (2021)
- Standard Drainage and Wastewater Control Plan (2021)
- Tip 103, Site Plan Requirements
- Tip 103B, Environmentally Critical Area Site Plan Requirements
- Tip 106, General Standards for Plans and Drawings
Fill out forms.
- King County Sewage Treatment Capacity Charge - Residential Sewer Use Certification
- King County Sewage Treatment Capacity Charge - Non-Residential Sewer Use Certification
- King County Sewage Treatment Capacity Charge - Alternative Housing Sewer Use Certification
- Statement of Financial Responsibility / Agent Authorization Form
- Salvage Assessment
Coordinate with other agencies. You may need permits or approvals from other agencies. These are the most common agencies you may need to work with for your permit type:
- City Light
- Seattle Public Utilities
- Seattle Department of Transportation
- Seattle & King County Public Health - Plumbing
- Seattle Labor Standards – Hiring Independent Contractors
- SDOT CAM 2200, Street Improvement Permitting (SIP) Process
- SDOT CAM 2203, Dedication of Right of Way or Easem*nt
- SDOT CAM 2216, SDOT Street Improvement Permitting (SIP) Pre-Construction Process
- SDOT CAM 2600, Street Use Utility Permitting Requirements
- SDOT CAM 2601, Pavement Restoration for Utility Service Connections
Get your project screened. We screen your application to make sure it is ready to submit. Screening is available through your Seattle Services Portal. You may schedule an appointment without screening if you wish, but we recommend you get your project screened if you haven't submitted many applications.
Schedule an intake appointment. Schedule an electronic intake appointment through your Seattle Services Portal. You must upload all application documents by 7:00 a.m. on the day of your appointment. You do not need to be onsite during your intake appointment. However, you do need to be available for questions. We may call or email you on your appointment day for more information.
Tip: Submit your completed application early to be eligible for an earlier appointment in case of a cancellation. Once you submit your application, we'll add your project to The Intake Express Lane. This means your application will likely be taken in well ahead of your scheduled appointment. We can usually take in your application within 2-3 weeks after you upload your complete application.For more information, read How Can I Get in the Intake Express Lane?
- Next Available Appointment Times
- How to Schedule an Inspection or Appointment
- Frequently Asked Questions About SDCI Review Status and Target Due Dates
- Seattle Services Portal Help Center
- Seattle Services Portal
Pay fees. Approximately 75 percent of your permit fees are due at intake. The fees are calculated based on your project value.
Make corrections and resubmit your plans. Once all of our reviews are done, you will receive an email telling you that corrected and/or additional documents can be uploaded into your portal. Your project may require multiple correction rounds before our reviews are complete.
- How to Respond to Review Comments
- Video: How to Respond to Corrections
- Resolve a Permit Disagreement
Pay final fees. We will notify you to pay any final fees before we issue your permit.
- Pay Permit Fees Online
- Get an SDCI Permit Fee Statement
Print your permit. We will notify you when we have issued your permit and the documents are available in your Seattle Services Portal. Print the permit and approved plan set and have it on site for our inspector.
Display your permit. Place your permit in a visible location on the project site.
Get related permits. You may need to get additional permits or approvals from other departments.
- Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) CAM 2102, Certificate of Liability Insurance
- SDOT CAM 2204, Driveways and Curb Cuts
- SDOT CAM 2302, Tree Pruning or Removal Permits
- Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) CAM 1201, Water Availability Certificate
- SPU CAM 1202, Water Service Application
- Planting in the Right-of-Way
Renew your permit.Your permit is valid for 18 months after the issue date. If your project is taking longer than that, you need to apply for a renewal.
- Building Permit Renewals
- Construction Permit Renewal Flyer
Close your permit. After passing the final inspection, your permit information will be archived in our electronic document management system.
