Building Safety in Seattle, WA (2026)
10 verified building safety rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Seattle's housing code requires anyone repairing painted surfaces in a pre-1978 rental building to follow state lead-based paint rules, and lets the Department of Construction and Inspections demand proof a certified renovator did the work once damage exceeds set thresholds.
Seattle Lead Paint Repair Rules for Rentals
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.206.080.D
Painted interior surfaces must be maintained free from peeling and chipping and other deterioration. In any structure built before 1978, removal, repair, or other disturbance of painted surfaces must comply with the lead-based paint provisions of Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 70.103 RCW, and associated regulations in the Washington Administrative Code, Chapter 365-230 WAC, including appro...
Elevator Maintenance
Seattle regulates elevators through the Seattle Building Code Chapter 30 and Washington state conveyance regulations. All elevators must be registered with the state, inspected annually, and maintained according to ASME A17.1 safety standards. The owner is responsible for safe operation, maintenance, and keeping current inspection certificates posted.
Seattle Elevator Inspection and Maintenance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsSeattle Building Code — Elevator Code (SBC Chapter 30, Elevators and Conveying Systems)
Elevator Code — Our elevator regulations are part of the Seattle Building Code (SBC). They include rules for design, construction, installation, operation, inspection, and alteration of elevators, dumbwaiters, materials lifts, escalators, moving walks, and other conveyances. Read the Code: 2021 SBC, Elevator Excerpt; 2018 SBC, Elevator Excerpt; 2015 SBC, Elevator Excerpt. Previous Versions: 201...
Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed
Seattle requires permits for scaffolding erected on public rights-of-way through the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). The Seattle Building Code and Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) establish safety standards for scaffold construction, inspection, and use. All scaffolding must comply with OSHA and L&I fall protection standards.
Seattle Scaffolding and Temporary Structure Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsChapter 296-874 WAC — Scaffolds (Washington State L&I)
Chapter 296-874 WAC — SCAFFOLDS. This chapter, administered by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, contains workplace safety and health requirements for scaffolds and other temporary elevated work platforms used in construction in Washington State.
Childcare Center Rules
Childcare facilities in Seattle must hold a Washington DCYF license under WAC 110-300 and meet Seattle Building Code Group E or I-4 occupancy provisions in SMC 22.601. Inspections by SDCI, SFD, and Public Health are mandatory.
Childcare Centers Need State License and Building Approvals
Heavy RestrictionsChapter 110-300 WAC — Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs (DCYF)
Chapter 110-300 WAC — FOUNDATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS (Formerly: Chapter 170-300 WAC). Sections include: 110-300-0001 Intent and authority; 110-300-0005 Definitions; 110-300-0010 License required; 110-300-0011 License transfers; 110-300-0015 Licensee absence; 110-300-0016 Inactive status — Voluntary and temporary closure; 110-300-0020 Unlicensed programs; 110-300-0025...
Door Locking Hardware
SMC 22.206.140 requires multi-unit building entrance doors to be self-closing and self-locking with a 1-inch-throw deadlatch, and every individual housing unit's entrance door to carry its own dead bolt or deadlatch with at least a 1/2-inch throw that can be opened from inside without a key.
Seattle Rental Entrance Door Deadbolt Rules
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.206.140.A.1, A.4, A.5
1.All building entrance doors, except building entrance doors which open directly into a single housing unit, shall be self-closing, self-locking, and equipped with a deadlatch with at least a 1-inch throw which penetrates the striker at least 1/2 inch; provided, that the main entrance door need not be self-locking if an attendant is present and on duty 24 hours per day.4.Entrance doors from in...
Green Building Code
Seattle's Energy Code SMC 22.901 is among the strictest in the U.S., paired with the Living Building Pilot SMC 23.40.060 offering zoning incentives for ultra-green projects. Building Emissions Performance Standard SMC 22.925 covers existing buildings.
Energy Code Plus Living Building Pilot Drive Green Standards
Some RestrictionsSeattle Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS)
Building Emissions Performance Standard — Buildings are responsible for 40% of Seattle's climate pollution — the majority of which comes from burning fossil fuels for space and water heating. The Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) law addresses this pollution and increases climate resiliency by gradually moving existing buildings off polluting fossil fuels and onto cleaner sources l...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Owners of Seattle rental buildings must install carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping room, on every level of the dwelling, and inside any bedroom with a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace. The duty comes from the Housing and Building Maintenance Code, SMC 22.206.160.B.5, and applies on every change of tenancy.
Seattle Rental Owners Must Install CO Alarms
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.206.160.B.5
5.Install carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping room and on each level of the dwelling unit, and inside any sleeping room that contains a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace, and test carbon monoxide alarms when each housing unit becomes vacant;
Building Permits
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.
When Seattle Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.900A.070 (see also §§ 22.101.010, 22.900D.010)
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.
Electrical Permits
Seattle enforces its own Electrical Code, the 2023 National Electrical Code plus selected portions of WAC 296-46B, adopted by SMC 22.101.010 with local amendments in Attachment C, and requires an SDCI electrical permit for wiring installations, additions, and alterations. SMC 22.900D.150 charges permit fees on a valuation basis when plans are reviewed, or from a flat fee table when they are not, with a $105.12 minimum self-issued permit.
Seattle Electrical Permits Under the 2023 NEC
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.900D.150 (see also § 22.101.010)
Permit fees for electrical installations for which plans and specifications are reviewed by the Director shall be charged on a valuation basis as set forth in Table D-14 for 22.900D.150.
Plumbing Permits
Seattle's Plumbing Code is chapter 51-56 WAC as in effect March 15, 2024, plus City Council amendments and a locally drafted Chapter 1, adopted by SMC 22.502.016 and filed with the City Clerk under Clerk File 323098. SMC 22.500.040 applies the code to the erection, installation, alteration, addition, repair, relocation, replacement, maintenance, or use of any plumbing system, so nearly every plumbing job in the city needs SDCI permit review.
Seattle Plumbing Code and Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 22.502.016 (see also §§ 22.500.040, 22.506.010)
The Seattle Plumbing Code consists of: (1) all of chapter 51-56 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) in effect on March 15, 2024, except Sections 51-56-008 and 51-56-0100; (2) amendments and additions to chapter 51-56 WAC adopted by the City Council by ordinance; and (3) Chapter 1, which is composed of all local provisions.
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Building Safety in King County →