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    • Codes
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          • 2018 Seattle Code Adoption - What & Why
            • 2018 Seattle Code Adoption - Get Involved
            • 2018 Seattle Code Adoption - Project Documents
            • 2018 Seattle Code Adoption- Timeline
          • Code Corrections - What & Why
            • Code Corrections - Project Documents
          • Incentive Zoning Update (links to Office of Planning and Community Development's page)
          • Leaf Blower Best Practices - What & Why
            • Leaf Blower Best Practices - Project Documents
          • Sign Code Update (links to SDCI code page)
          • Solid Waste Code Changes - What & Why
            • Solid Waste Code Changes - Get Involved
            • Solid Waste Code Changes - Project Documents
          • Townhouse Easement Clarification - What & Why
            • Townhouse Easement Clarification - Project Documents
          • Tree Protection - What & Why
            • Tree Protection - Background
          • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - What & Why
            • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - Get Involved
            • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - Project Documents
            • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - Background
            • Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - Timeline
          • Updating Stormwater Regulations - What & Why
            • Updating Stormwater Regulations - Get Involved
            • Updating Stormwater Regulations - Project Documents
            • Updating Stormwater Regulations - Background
            • Updating Stormwater Regulations - Timeline
          • Yesler Terrace Redevelopment - What & Why
            • Yesler Terrace Redevelopment - Project Documents
        • Recent Changes to Code
          • Accessory Dwelling Unit (links to SDCI page)
          • Cross-Laminated Timber - What & Why
            • Cross-Laminated Timber - Background
          • Design Review Program Improvements - What & Why
            • Design Review Program Improvements - Project Documents
            • Design Review Program Improvements - Background
          • Environmentally Critical Areas Update - What & Why
            • Environmentally Critical Areas Update - Get Involved
            • Environmentally Critical Areas Update - Project Documents
            • Environmentally Critical Areas Update - Background
            • Environmentally Critical Areas Update - Timeline
          • Neighborhood Parking - What & Why
            • Neighborhood Parking - Project Documents
            • Neighborhood Parking - Background
          • Shoreline Master Program (links to SDCI's code page)
          • Vacant Building Monitoring - What & Why
            • Vacant Buildings Code Updates - Project Documents
          • Electric Vehicle Readiness - What & Why
            • Electric Vehicle Readiness - Project Documents
      • Construction Code Interpretations
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        • State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Code
        • Stormwater Code
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      • Common Code Questions
        • Animal Codes
        • Construction Without a Permit
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        • Pests
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        • Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance - About RRIO
          • Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance - Owners & Managers
          • Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance - Renters
          • Rental Registration & Inspection Ordinance - Inspectors
        • Side Sewer Contractor Registration
        • Steam Engineer & Boiler Fireman Licensing
      • What Should I Do if I'm Cited?
      • Make a Property or Building Complaint
        • How We Respond
      • Why Can the City Regulate How I Use My Property?
    • Inspections
      • Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections
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      • Do You Need a Permit?
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      • How Do You Get a Permit?
      • How Much Will Your Permit Cost?
      • Permits We Issue (A-Z)
        • Boiler & Pressure Vessel Permit
        • Construction Permit - Addition or Alteration
        • Construction Permit - Establishing Use
        • Construction Permit - New Building, Multifamily, Commercial, Mixed Use, or Industrial
        • Construction Permit - New Building, Single-Family Residential or Duplex
        • Construction Permit - Subject-to-Field-Inspection
        • Construction Permit - Temporary Structures & Uses
        • Curb Cut Permit
        • Demolition Permit - Building
        • Design Review - Administrative
        • Design Review - Full
        • Design Review - Streamlined
        • Earthquake Home Retrofit Permit
        • Electrical Permit
        • Elevator & Escalator Permit
        • Emergency Repair Permit
        • Fire Alarm Permit
        • Grading Permit
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Overview of MUP
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Conditional Use
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Environmentally Critical Areas (ECA)
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Plat
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Rezone
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Shoreline
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)
        • Land Use / Master Use Permit - Land Use Variance
        • Mechanical Permit
        • Phased Permit
        • Refrigeration Permit
        • Re-Roof Permit
        • Residential Deconstruction
        • Side Sewer Permit
        • Sign, Awning, & Billboard Permit
        • Tenant Improvement Permit (Blanket)
        • Tree & Vegetation Removal
      • Resolve a Permit Disagreement
    • Renting
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      • 35th Avenue Business Districts - Accomplishments
        • 35th Avenue Business Districts - Documents
      • 2030 Challenge Pilot - Accomplishments
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      • Code Corrections - Accomplishments
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        • Construction & Demolition Waste - Documents
      • Curb Ramps - Accomplishments
      • Developing Small Single-Family Lots - Accomplishments
        • Developing Small Single-Family Lots - Documents
      • Living Building Project Update - Accomplishments
        • Living Building Project Update - Documents
      • Low Impact Development - Accomplishments
        • Low Impact Development - Documents
      • Lowrise Multifamily Code Corrections - Accomplishments
        • Lowrise Multifamily Code Corrections - Documents
      • Marijuana Zoning Restrictions - Accomplishments
        • Marijuana Zoning Restrictions - Documents
      • Micro-Housing - Accomplishments
        • Micro-Housing - Documents
      • Minimum Density - Accomplishments
        • Minimum Density - Documents
      • Seattle Green Factor - Accomplishments
        • Seattle Green Factor - Documents
      • Shoreline Master Program Code Update - Accomplishments
        • Shoreline Master Program Code Update - Documents
      • Stormwater Codes and Rules Update - Accomplishments
        • Stormwater Codes and Rules Update - Documents
      • Transitional Encampments - Accomplishments
        • Transitional Encampments - Documents
      • Seattle Center Sign Code Overlay - Accomplishments
        • Seattle Center Sign Code Overlay - Documents
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Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in King County

Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in King County. Find out more at King County Public Health.

SDCI Inspections, Closures, and Service Updates

In response to COVID-19, the Governor has issued an order suspending most construction activity. We will only provide inspections for essential projects (Limited Inspections Per Governor's Stay at Home Order). Please visit this State website link for clarity on whether you qualify as an essential construction site. You can also report a violation of the proclamation. SDCI has also closed our customer service areas and is making several service changes.   
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections Nathan Torgelson, Director
  • About Us
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Home Codes

Common Code Questions

See Also: Common Projects

View common code questions about:

  • Animal Codes
  • Construction Without a Permit
  • Deposit Returns
  • Evictions
  • Floating Residences
  • Home Business Rules
  • Housing Cost Increases
  • Illegal Business
  • Illegal Living Units
  • Junk (Inoperable) Car & Vehicle Rules
  • Junk Storage & Illegal Dumping Rules
  • Move-In Charges
  • Noise Codes
  • Notice to Enter a Rental Unit
  • Parking and Car Storage Rules
  • Pests
  • Pets
  • Problems With Your Rental Unit
  • Property Line Disputes
  • Rental Agreements
  • Short-Term Rentals
  • Tenant Relocation
  • Vacant Buildings
  • Weeds & Overgrown Vegetation

Construction and Inspections

Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA, 98124-4019
Phone: 206-684-8600
Phone Alt: Violation Complaint Line: 206-615-0808

City-Wide Information

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Top Requests

  1. Apply for a Permit
  2. Make a Complaint
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  4. Schedule an Inspection
  5. Proposed Changes to Code

The Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections issues land use, construction, and trade permits, conducts construction- and housing-related inspections, ensures compliance with our codes, and regulates rental rules.

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