Types of permits and inspections
Find out if you need a permit, how to look up permit status, and how to apply and schedule inspections. You can also get answers to common building questions.
When you’ll need a permit
Generally, you’ll need a permit before starting any of the following types of work:
- Construction
- Renovation
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Plumbing
- Grading
- Drainage
- Sign
- Right-of-way
- Shoreline
- Other regulated land use
When you don’t need a permit
You normally don’t need a permit for:
- One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, as long as the floor area is less than 200 square feet
- Fences up to 6 feet high
- Moveable fixtures, cases, counters, and partitions up to 5 feet 9 inches high
- Retaining walls and rockeries up to 4 feet high (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Basic maintenance repairs
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a single-family residence or duplex and garages or sheds when projecting up to 54 inches from the wall
- Prefabricated swimming pools, added to a single-family home, with walls that are entirely above the adjacent grade and a capacity up to 5,000 gallons
How to apply
For more about the permitting process and how to apply, see our permits and land use applications page.
Permits we issue
| Permit/application type |
What it is for |
| Building |
Structures without Building Code exemptions (exempt structures still must meet Building Code and setback requirements) |
| Conditional use |
Uses that may be allowed in a zone if they are found compatible with other allowed uses in that zone |
| Site review / drainage |
On-site drainage facilities within commercial developments |
| Electrical |
Work involving high, medium, or low electrical current in a new or existing building |
| State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) / environmental checklist |
Certain projects requiring environmental review, including larger projects or projects affecting sensitive areas such as wetlands, streams, or steep slopes |
| Fire suppression |
Installation of fire sprinkler systems or commercial hood suppression systems |
| Fuel storage tank |
Installation or removal of fuel tanks above or below ground |
| Grading |
Grading or filling activities exceeding 50 cubic yards of material |
| Home occupation business |
Businesses proposed to operate from a home, subject to neighborhood-compatibility criteria |
| Lot line adjustment |
Minor boundary-line adjustments between adjacent property owners, without creating new lots or substandard lots, yards, or setbacks |
| Mechanical |
Installation of mechanical systems and components |
| Planned unit development |
Developments seeking greater density than normally permitted by code in exchange for providing a public benefit |
| Plumbing |
Installation of plumbing systems and fixtures |
| Rezone application |
Changing a parcel’s zoning to allow a new or different land use consistent with our City’s Comprehensive Plan |
| Right-of-way |
Work within the public right-of-way, streets, or public easements |
| Shoreline development |
Development within 200 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of Angle Lake (may require a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit or exemption) |
| Short plat |
Dividing one parcel into four or fewer lots, subject to standards including road and utility improvements |
| Sign |
Installation of wall-mounted or pole-mounted signage |
| Subdivision |
Dividing one parcel into five or more lots, subject to standards including road and utility improvements |
| Temporary use |
Temporary property uses such as seasonal produce stands or holiday tree sales lots |
| Variance |
Requests to vary from Zoning Code development standards due to special circumstances or hardship from strict code application |
Plan review
Larger projects need plan reviews from more than one City department. As part of the review process, the Permit Center will send your permit application to the relevant departments for review(PDF, 119KB).
After all City departments complete their reviews, the Permit Center will either send you a permit approval notification or a comment letter. The comment letter will explain what changes or corrections you need to make before we can approve your plans.
For general zoning and land use questions, you can call 206-973-4750 or email seatacplanning@seatacwa.gov.
Inspections
After approving your plans, the Permit Center will contact you when your permit is ready. Once you receive your permit, you may begin construction.
Throughout your project, you’ll also need to request inspections. Each permit has its own required inspections.
To schedule an inspection, use the permitting portal. If you submit a request before 5 p.m., we’ll schedule it for the next business day.
Common questions and answers
Permitting
Can I build my house or addition myself?
Yes! You don’t need to be a registered contractor if you are either:
- Remodeling or improving a property to rent out
- Building a house you’ll live in for at least two years
If you hire someone else to complete any work on a house you’ll live in, they must be a registered general or specialty contractor and have a City business license.
If you hire a contractor to help with a project that is new, involves an existing parcel you plan to sell, or is one you’ll fix yourself and sell (flip), then you need to be a registered contractor.
Can I draw my own plans?
If you know how to draw to scale and know about construction, you may do this work yourself. However, this can be difficult, especially if you don’t know the requirements. You can get help from contractors, drafters, designers, and architects.
Who needs to pick up the building permit?
Typically, whoever is doing the work picks up the permit. This is usually the homeowner or contractor.
If the homeowner picks up the permit and has a contractor doing the work, we’ll need to add the contractor's state license and City business license to the permit before we can issue it. If you have a different situation, contact the Building Division at 206-973-4750 for approval.
Can I mail my fee payment?
Permit applications are submitted and can be paid for online using our online portal, but we can accept fee payment by mail also.
Before mailing your check, contact the Permit Center at 206-973-4750 to confirm the amount owed.
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Yes. You’ll need permit if your deck is 30 feet or more above grade, and it must meet certain design requirements. Decks attached to buildings need permits regardless of size or height.
Do I need a permit to paint the outside of my house?
No. You don't need a permit for cosmetic improvements such as painting, carpets or other types of flooring. However, this might not apply to a commercial installation.
Building
Where can I find construction code information?
You can ask the Building Division to show you any part of the code. You can also:
Where can I see examples of details or plans?
Electrical
Do I need a permit to add electrical circuits to my existing house wiring?
Yes. If you own the property, you’ll need a permit to do your own electrical work. If you hire a contractor, they’ll need their own permit and cannot use yours.
Mechanical
My furnace failed during cold weather, so I bought a new one and installed it myself. Will I be fined for installing it without a permit?
No. You can do emergency repairs or replacements immediately. If you’d normally need a permit for this work, make sure to apply for it the next business day.
Plumbing
Is installing a water heater a minor repair?
No. This is a replacement, so you’ll need a permit.
Do I need a permit to repair or replace a leaking kitchen sink trap?
No. This is a general maintenance repair, so you don’t need a permit.
Do I need a permit to install a new toilet?
No. You don’t need a permit to remove and replace a toilet.
Do I need a permit to install a new kitchen sink?
No. If you are replacing your sink with a new one and aren’t moving it or altering the plumbing pipes, you don’t need a permit. However, you'll need a permit if you are altering the plumbing pipes.
Do I need a permit to move plumbing fixtures?
Yes. You’ll need a permit to relocate plumbing fixtures for sinks, toilets, tubs, washers, etc.
Contact us at the Permit Center
We answer questions about, process, and oversee permits for all City construction and land use applications.
In-person support
You’re welcome to walk in and ask general questions. Please note that we only have about 15 minutes per customer to answer questions.
SeaTac City Hall
4800 South 188th Street, 3rd Floor
SeaTac, WA 98188
Phone or email support
Hours
- Monday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed