Seattle, WA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Seattle Dept. of Construction & Inspections
- Adopted code
- 2021 IBC (SMC 22.101.010)
- Base permit fee
- $292 minimum (SMC 22.900B.010)
- Civil penalty
- $27/day (SMC 22.900A.080)
- Delinquent fee interest
- 12%/yr after 30 days unpaid
Summary
Seattle requires a building permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) for new construction, additions, alterations, and repairs to existing buildings, issued under the locally adopted Seattle Building Code (2021 International Building Code, Clerk File 323091). SMC 22.900A.070 makes it unlawful to proceed with any construction, installation, alteration, or repair once the required permit fee is due and unpaid, and SDCI may post a stop-work order until compliance.
It is unlawful to proceed with any work or with any portion of any construction, installation, alteration or repair when the fee required in this subtitle has not been paid.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
010). 010. 010. 030. 070 lets the Director post a stop-work order on the structure or notify the owner, lessee, or person in charge; removing or ignoring that posted notice before written authorization to resume is itself unlawful. 060, and the Director may refer delinquent accounts to a collection agency or place them on a cash-only basis.
Violations & Fines
Working without a paid permit fee is a violation of SMC 22.900A.070, exposing the responsible party to an immediate stop-work order posted on the property. SMC 22.900A.080 sets a civil penalty of $27 per day for each day of noncompliance with the Fee Subtitle, collected through Municipal Court action initiated by the City Attorney at the Director's request. Removing, mutilating, or ignoring a posted stop-work notice before written SDCI authorization to resume is a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seattle require a permit for a home addition or alteration?
What happens if I build without a permit in Seattle?
Which building code edition does Seattle enforce?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
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Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle building permits.