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Most services are available online through our Virtual Applicant Services Center. For customers who need language assistance or technical assistance accessing the Virtual ASC, we have an SDCI information desk on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower. We offer limited access to our offices for scheduled public meetings.

Demolition of Housing

What Is It?

A man with a large beard with a thought bubble with a bulldozer and a house in it. Demolition of housing is the complete removal of the building (or buildings). You may be required to demolish housing if we declare it unfit to live in.

What Permits Do you Need?

You need a demolition permit to remove housing.

There are rules restricting demolition of housing that do not apply to demolition of non-residential buildings. You can demolish housing only if your building meets one of the following criteria:

The house is owner occupied
It has not been used as rental housing within the last 6 months
You have already been issued a permit for a new use or a new building at the site
You use and meet the rules for residential deconstruction described in Director's Rule 4-2009, Demolition Permits With Waste Diversion Plan
The structure will be relocated
We issue an order declaring the property unfit to live in
Your project is in a master planned community zone

Demolition Permits: What You Need to Know

You cannot demolish housing to create non-required parking. There are also limits on demolition of landmarks; consult the Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program, (206) 684-02284. You need to follow the tenant relocation rules if the building you plan to demolish has tenants.

Your demolition permit application must include a Rat Abatement Declaration Form confirming that you will contract with a licensed pest control company to provide rat abatement for at least 15 days immediately prior to the start of work.

We require salvage assessments for all projects that include demolition, including whole building removal and alterations.

If you want to demolish housing in an environmentally critical area, such as a wetland or steep slope, there are different restrictions you must follow.

You must meet asbestos survey requirements before you can obtain a demolition permit. Contact the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at (206) 689-4058.

You may also need to apply for electrical service changes or new services from Seattle City Light.

Research the Code

Read the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) section on demolition of housing, SMC 23.40.006.

Tip 103, Site Plan Requirements
Tip 337, Demolition and Deconstruction
Director's Rule 4-2009, Demolition Permit with a Waste Diversion Plan

Should You Hire a Professional?

Unless we determine otherwise, plans accompanying small residential demolition projects rarely require a professional's stamp indicating the project was designed, or reviewed, by an architect or engineer. You may prepare the drawings yourself or hire a professional to help you. Larger residential projects are more likely to require professional drawings.

Work such as rat abatement and asbestos surveys must always be done by licensed professionals. Whether the demolition itself is done by you or by a contractor, the work must meet all code requirements including best management practices. See the Demolition Permit page for more details.