Building Services Division

Codes Adopted

2021 International Codes

The City of SeaTac's adoption of the 2021 International Codes went into effect on March 15, 2024. Every permit submitted will have to be designed in reference to the appropriate codes. Please review the City of SeaTac Municipal Code Title 13 (Buildings and Construction) for all local amendments and code information. Furthermore, you will need to reference the amendments by the State Building Code Council located in the Washington Administrative Code. Please contact the Building Division at 206-973-4750 if you have any questions and or concerns regarding the codes.

Washington Cities Electrical Code

The Washington Cities Electrical Code is the result of a joint effort between the MyBuildingPermit.com (MBP) EGov Alliance and the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO). The Code was created to provide cities with a document that complies with RCW 19.28.010(2), which allows cities to enforce any Ordinance that is equal, higher or better than the State’s rules, but offers the following advantages.

• This Code omits all administrative and procedural State rules that cities cannot or choose not to adopt.
• This Code is written in the same format as the NEC to eliminate any conflict between a State rule and the NEC. This format will also allow the creation of insert pages that can be inserted into the applicable pages of the NEC.
• This Code provides enforcement consistency among those cities that choose to adopt it. The City of SeaTac has provided a copy of The Washington Cities Electrical Code online for your information.

Walk-in service 

You’re welcome to walk in and ask general questions. Please note that we only have about 15 minutes per customer to answer questions. Counter hours are: 

Inspections 

Issued permits must be inspected at multiple stages. Each permit includes a list of required inspections that the permit holder is responsible for scheduling. The person doing the work holder must request an inspection when the specific work element is completed and before covering the work. Work cannot be covered until approved by a City Inspector. Inspections must be requested before 10pm for next day inspection.

To request an inspection, use our permitting portal.   

Code compliance 

The Building Division’s Code Compliance branch enforces city codes about:  

• Housing  

• Property maintenance  

• Zoning requirements 

• Land use  

• Junk vehicles  

• Residential parking violations  

• Signs  

• Business licensing  

How we enforce codes 

Code enforcement starts with an officer or with a resident’s complaint. If you have questions about code violations or want to file a complaint, call 206-973-4567 or visit our code compliance page. 

Building Department overview 

See how building code officials are committed to your safety in the following video. 

Code Officials: Building Safety Today for a Stronger Tomorrow

Relevant codes 

• SeaTac Municipal Code (SMC) Title 13: Buildings and Construction

• Washington Cities Electrical Code

You may also need to check the Washington Administrative Code for amendments from the State Building Code Council.