Construction Without a Permit

See also: Land Use Code

What Is It?

You need to get a permit for most construction projects that involve:

• New construction
• Alteration or remodeling
• Demolition of a building or structures
• A change of use or occupancy on a property (for example if you are changing an office to a restaurant)
• Work in an environmentally critical area, such as a steep slope
• Grading (excavating, moving, or adding soil to your property)

We may issue a stop work order against you if you start a building, addition, or remodeling project without a permit. If you build without a permit or fail to get a final inspection approval, we may fine you or take other enforcement action against you.

What It Isn’t

This page does not cover projects that do not need a permit; see Do You Need a Permit? You can find a list of permit exceptions in the Seattle Residential Code (SRC) and the Seattle Building Code (SBC).

Rules to Follow

Our ordinances require that you get a construction permit for projects that involve new construction, renovation, or alterations of buildings.

If you need help determining if you need a construction permit for your project, contact the Applicant Services Center to get help from a permit specialist. You will need:

• The address
• A sketch showing existing structures on the property, with dimensions and distances to property lines
• A proposal of your project

Read the Code

• SRC Section R105.2
• SBC Section 106.2

• Electrical Code
• Energy Code
• Grading Code
• Mechanical Code
• Side Sewer Code
• Stormwater Code

Fines

If you build without a permit, you may be fined up to $500 per day.