Pop. 737,015 · King County
Seattle SMC 9.25 limits households to a small number of pets and prohibits neglect. Washington RCW 16.52 makes animal cruelty, including hoarding-related neglect, a gross misdemeanor or felony when injury or death results.
Seattle SMC 9.25.050 requires every cat over eight weeks to be licensed annually with the Seattle Animal Shelter. Washington RCW 16.30 (King County code 8.04) requires current rabies vaccination for all cats and dogs.
The Seattle Animal Shelter microchips every dog, cat, and rabbit adopted from the facility. SMC 9.25 does not mandate microchipping for all owned pets, but chips dramatically improve return rates for impounded animals.
SMC 9.25.082 caps each Seattle household at three small animals (dogs/cats over eight weeks) without an SAS kennel license. Larger numbers require zoning approval and inspection. Hobby breeders need a separate permit.
Seattle Parks and WDFW manage urban coyotes through public education and hazing rather than removal. Feeding coyotes is prohibited under SMC 9.25.084, and WDFW handles aggressive animals under WAC 220-440.
Washington HB 1424 (2024) bans pet stores from selling commercially bred dogs and cats; only animals from shelters or rescues may be retailed. Seattle SMC 9.25 adds pet dealer licensing and humane care requirements.
Seattle does not require pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs or cats. The Seattle Animal Shelter sterilizes every adopted animal and runs a low-cost spay-neuter clinic for income-qualified residents.
Seattle requires dogs on leash at all times except in designated off-leash areas per SMC 9.25.084. The city has 14+ off-leash dog parks. Fines enforced by Seattle Animal Shelter.
Beekeeping is permitted in Seattle. Max 4 hives on lots under 10,000 sq ft; 1 additional hive per 2,500 sq ft over 10,000 sq ft in commercial zones. Hives must be in movable-frame design. State registration with WA Dept. of Agriculture required by April 1 each year (RCW 15.60).
Washington does not preempt breed-specific legislation. Some WA cities have or had breed restrictions. RCW 16.08 provides behavior-based dangerous dog law.
Seattle Municipal Code Title 9 and Washington State law (RCW 16.30) restrict exotic animals. Farm animals (cows, horses, full-size goats, swine) are only permitted on lots over 20,000 sq ft. Miniature goats and small potbelly pigs (1 max) are allowed with restrictions on smaller lots.
Livestock (horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs) are permitted in rural and agricultural zones under KCC 21A.30. Density is typically 1 large animal per acre in RA zones; A zones allow full agricultural use.
Feeding wildlife (deer, raccoons, coyotes, bears) in unincorporated King County is prohibited under WAC 232-12-271 and KCC 11.04. Bird feeders are allowed but must not become bear attractants.
Unincorporated King County allows up to 8 chickens on lots under 20,000 sq ft in RA and R zones per KCC 21A.30.020, more on larger parcels. Roosters are effectively restricted via noise complaints in dense areas.
Veterinary clinics in unincorporated King County are permitted in commercial and some mixed-use zones under KCC Title 21A, with overnight boarding subject to additional kennel standards and noise, odor, and waste-control conditions.
Seattle SMC 6.600 STR Ordinance (2017) requires every host to hold a STR Operator License plus a regulatory license. Operators are limited to their primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit citywide.
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.600 limits a short-term rental operator to a maximum of two dwelling units citywide: the operator's primary residence (where they live more than six months a year) and one secondary unit within Seattle, with grandfathered exceptions for some Downtown Urban Core legacy listings. SMC 6.600 does not set a specific guest-per-bedroom cap, but the underlying dwelling is still subject to occupancy and life-safety standards in the Building, Fire, and Housing codes. STRs are prohibited in RVs, tents, garages, boats, floating residences, waterfront residences, live-work units, and commercial caretaker quarters.
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.600 does not impose a dedicated off-street parking requirement on short-term rentals, and SMC 23.42.060 (Land Use Code) does not require additional parking specifically for STR use beyond what applies to the underlying dwelling. STR guests parking on city streets must follow standard SDOT rules: posted time limits, street-cleaning postings, the 72-hour vehicle storage limit, and Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) rules. In RPZ areas, only one guest hangtag is issued per household; short-term day permits are available in most zones (up to 5 per day, 50 per year per address).
Seattle short-term rental guests must comply with Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 (Noise Control), which sets a 55 dBA daytime limit and a 45 dBA nighttime limit at the property line of a residential receiving zone. Quiet hours run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekends and legal holidays. Operators are responsible under SMC 6.600 for guest conduct, and repeated verified noise complaints can support enforcement against the STR operator's regulatory license. Active disturbances are reported to the Seattle Police non-emergency line at 206-625-5011.
Seattle STR hosts must collect Washington State lodging taxes under RCW 67.28. Seattle imposes a Business License Tax (based on gross receipts). The $75/year per-unit STR regulatory license fee applies separately.
Seattle requires STR operators to hold a City Business License Tax Certificate and a separate STR Operator's Regulatory License ($75/unit/year) under SMC Chapter 6.600. Operators are limited to 2 units; one must be their primary residence if operating 2. Non-primary-residence STRs must also register with RRIO.
Unincorporated King County sets no STR insurance minimum. Hosts should carry a homeowner or landlord policy with an STR endorsement. Airbnb and Vrbo liability programs only supplement private coverage.
Unincorporated King County does not impose a rental-night cap on short-term rentals. Washington State does not preempt local STR rules, but King County has not adopted a cap. Seattle and some cities have their own caps.
Properties in unincorporated King County that generate three or more verified noise, disorderly-conduct, or code calls within a 12-month window may be declared chronic nuisances under King County Code Title 14, exposing owners to abatement orders.
King County itself imposes no primary-residence restriction on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, but several cities within the county, most notably Seattle, limit operators to their primary dwelling plus at most one additional unit.
Under RCW 64.37, Airbnb, Vrbo, and other booking platforms operating in King County must require operators to attest to insurance, registration, and tax compliance, and must remove listings that fail to meet state and local requirements.
Stays of 30 days or longer in any King County short-term rental convert the guest into a tenant under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, RCW 59.18, regardless of whether a lease was signed or the platform classifies the stay as short-term.
The Seattle Fire Code, based on IFC Chapter 61 and amended in SMC Title 22, caps propane cylinder storage at residences and businesses. Cylinders larger than 10 gallons require permits; multifamily storage is tightly limited.
Outdoor fire pits and open flames are heavily restricted in Seattle due to the city's general prohibition on open burning. PSCAA burn bans also apply. Chimineas and enclosed fire pits may be subject to city and state air quality rules.
All consumer fireworks are banned in Seattle. Violations are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Ceremonial fireworks may be permitted via a Seattle Fire Department no-fee permit (SFD CAM 5033).
Open burning in Seattle is prohibited except during approved ceremonial events. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) issues burn bans for King County. Residential outdoor burning is not permitted in Seattle city limits.
King County has no mandatory annual brush clearance ordinance like California. In Wildland Urban Interface areas, defensible space up to 100 ft is enforced on new construction through the adopted IWUIC.
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated King County are allowed in approved fire pits under 3 feet diameter, using dry firewood only. Setback 25 ft from structures. All outdoor fires banned during PSCAA Stage 2.
Smoke alarms required in all King County dwellings per WA Building Code (RCW 19.27, IRC R314). New construction needs hardwired interconnected alarms with battery backup; battery-only allowed in existing homes.
Eastern unincorporated King County (Skykomish, Snoqualmie, foothills) is mapped by WA DNR as moderate to high wildfire hazard. The Wildland Urban Interface code requires ignition-resistant materials and defensible space.
Seattle allows tiny houses on permanent foundations as Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs) under SMC 23.42.022 and SMC 23.44.041, subject to the same code as any DADU. Tiny houses on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles and may not be used as residences in city residential zones. Sanctioned tiny house villages exist only as transitional encampments under SMC 23.42.054.
Carports in Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zones are regulated as parking/garage accessory structures under SMC 23.44.016, with placement controlled by SMC 23.44.014 (yards). They cannot occupy the front 20 feet of a lot or side yards within 5 feet, and the combined footprint counts toward the 35% lot-coverage limit on lots 5,000 sq ft or larger.
Seattle limits short-term rentals (under 30 days) of ADUs to two units per operator under SMC 6.600 — typically the operator's primary residence plus one additional dwelling. ADUs rented short-term must hold a Seattle short-term rental operator license and the rental-platform license. Long-term ADU rentals require RRIO registration under SMC 22.214 but have no minimum term.
Seattle eliminated all owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs in 2019 under Ordinance 125854, and this is now reinforced by Washington HB 1337 (codified at RCW 36.70A.696) which prohibits cities from imposing owner-occupancy on ADUs statewide. SMC 23.42.054.B.4 explicitly states no owner-occupancy is required.
Seattle permits attached (AADU) and detached (DADU) accessory dwelling units ministerially under SMC 23.42.054 and 23.44.041, with HB 1337 (2023) requiring up to two ADUs per residential lot statewide. Applications are filed with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) and SDCI must act within 120 days (Type I land-use review).
Seattle does not charge transportation, school, or park impact fees on ADUs because the city has not adopted general impact fees under RCW 82.02. Permit fees, sewer/water capacity charges from Seattle Public Utilities, and Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) fees may apply to larger projects, but standalone ADUs are largely exempt.
One-story detached accessory structures (sheds, playhouses) under 200 sq ft do not require a building permit under Washington State Building Code (IRC). Structures in Environmentally Critical Areas require additional ECA review regardless of size. Setback and zoning requirements apply.
Garage conversions to ADUs are allowed in Seattle under SMC 23.42.022 as part of HB 1337 compliance. Conversion provisions apply in all residential zones. Building permits required from SDCI. Must meet Seattle Building Code and accessibility standards.
Seattle adopted Ordinance 127211 (June 2025) to comply with HB 1337. Up to 2 ADUs allowed per lot by right in all residential zones (SMC 23.42.022). No owner-occupancy requirement. Max ADU size 1,000 sq ft. ADUs cannot be used as STRs. DADUs allowed up to 32 ft in most NR zones.
Seattle enforces the Seattle Residential Code (SRC) Appendix G, which adopts International Residential Code Section AG105 for private residential pool barriers. Pools and spas with water deeper than 24 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Public, semi-public, and apartment/condo pools are regulated separately by Washington WAC 246-260, requiring 60- to 72-inch barriers.
Any pool deeper than 24 inches in unincorporated King County requires a building permit under KCC 16.04, plus plumbing and electrical permits, a barrier inspection, and compliance with WA Building Code and ISPSC.
Portable hot tubs in unincorporated King County under 24 inches deep generally skip building permits but need electrical permits and a compliant safety cover or barrier. Permanent spas follow KCC 16.04 pool permit rules.
Pool safety in King County follows the Washington State Building Code (IRC Appendix G). Barriers at least 48 inches with self-closing, self-latching gates are required. Public pools follow WAC 246-260.
In unincorporated King County, an above-ground pool that can hold water more than 24 inches deep is regulated as a swimming pool under the Washington State Residential Code Appendix G/AG105 (WAC 51-51). It requires a building permit and a barrier at least 48 inches tall. The pool wall can serve as the barrier when it is 48 inches or taller, but ladders must be removable, lockable, or secured.
Seattle and King County Noxious Weed Board require control of listed invasive species. English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and knotweed are top priorities. Salmon-safe landscaping practices encouraged throughout the city.
Seattle's Tree Protection Code (SMC 25.11, effective July 30, 2023) classifies trees by tier. Tier 2 trees generally cannot be removed except for hazard. Tree removal typically requires SDCI approval. All tree work must be done by a Registered Tree Service Provider (RTSP) since August 2024. Violations: up to 3x tree appraised value.
Native plant landscaping is encouraged in unincorporated King County and required in many critical-area buffer plantings. The Native Plant Salvage Program and King Conservation District offer low-cost natives.
Artificial turf is generally allowed on unincorporated King County residential parcels. Installations in critical areas are restricted because turf acts as impervious surface and can harm salmon streams.
Unincorporated King County has no grass-height numeric limit. Tall grass is addressed only when it creates a nuisance, harbors rats, or presents a fire hazard. Rural and ag zones are exempt.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Washington under Department of Ecology policy. In unincorporated King County, rooftop capture for on-site use needs no water right and is promoted for stormwater control.
King County does not impose year-round lawn watering days. Seasonal conservation advisories from retail water providers apply in dry summers. Salmon-stream withdrawals are limited under state water rights.
Trimming trees on your own parcel in unincorporated King County usually needs no permit. Trees in critical areas, shoreline buffers, or county rights-of-way have restrictions. Topping is discouraged.
Washington requires jurisdictions over 25,000 to provide organics collection and bans certain organic waste disposal under RCW 70A.205.545.
SMC 25.08.500 prohibits loud, raucous, frequent, repetitive, or continuous animal noises. No specific time restriction — the standard is whether it disturbs neighbors and is continuous. Animals may be impounded for repeat violations. Report to Seattle Animal Shelter.
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.08 prohibits excessive noise. Nighttime quiet hours are 10 PM–7 AM weekdays and 10 PM–9 AM on weekends and legal holidays. Nighttime noise limits are reduced 10 dBA from daytime levels in residential districts.
Under SMC 25.08, construction is permitted 7 AM–7 PM on weekdays and 9 AM–7 PM on weekends and legal holidays. Construction noise may not exceed 75 dBA. SDCI enforces; violations may result in stop-work orders.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is south of Seattle city limits; Boeing Field (BFI) is within city limits. FAA preempts local aircraft noise regulation. Seattle works with FAA and Port of Seattle on noise abatement procedures.
Outdoor music in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 and WAC 173-60 limits: 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at residential property lines. Event variances available via special event permits.
Industrial noise in unincorporated King County follows WAC 173-60 EDNA classes adopted via KCC 12.86. Class C industrial to Class A residential limits are 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night at the boundary.
Amplified music in unincorporated King County must comply with KCC 12.86 noise limits and WAC 173-60 standards. Sounds exceeding 55 dBA during daytime or 45 dBA at night at the residential property line are prohibited.
Unincorporated King County adopts WAC 173-60 decibel limits: 55 dBA daytime and 45 dBA nighttime for Class A residential receiving property. Higher limits apply in commercial and industrial receiving zones.
King County does not impose specific leaf blower restrictions beyond the general noise limits in KCC 12.86 and WAC 173-60. Residential yard maintenance is exempt during daytime hours (7 AM-10 PM weekdays).
Seattle SMC 11.72.070 prohibits parking vehicles wider than 80 inches between midnight and 6 AM, except in industrial zones. The 72-hour street parking limit also applies to RVs. Seattle has limited 'safe lots' for RV dwellers.
Seattle enforces a 72-hour on-street parking limit on public streets. Vehicles parked more than 72 hours may be cited and towed. First-time violations in residential zones: $150; subsequent: $500. Managed by SDOT Parking Enforcement.
Seattle does not have a formal 'dibs' or space-saving ordinance. Placing personal items such as chairs, cones, or other objects in public parking spaces to reserve them is not sanctioned by the city. During snow emergencies, Seattle focuses on priority snow routes and alternate-side parking rather than space-saving practices. Objects left in the street may be removed as obstructions.
Commercial vehicles are subject to the 72-hour street parking limit and the overnight oversized vehicle restriction (SMC 11.72.070 — vehicles > 80 inches wide banned midnight–6 AM except in industrial zones).
Vehicles parked on Seattle streets for more than 72 hours may be cited as abandoned or improperly stored. SDOT enforces. Owners are notified before towing when feasible, including information on support services for vehicle dwellers.
Unincorporated King County regulates driveway width, surfacing, slope, and access under KCC Title 14 (Roads) and Title 21A (Zoning). Residential driveways typically must be 10 to 20 feet wide, meet sight-distance standards at the road, and use approved surfacing in urban zones.
Unincorporated King County has no general ban on overnight on-street parking on county roads. However, parking is prohibited in a way that blocks traffic, obstructs driveways, or impedes snow plowing. RV and trailer storage on public roads is limited under KCC Title 46.
King County actively supports electric vehicle infrastructure. Single-family home EV chargers typically require a simple electrical permit. Commercial and multifamily EV stations follow Washington State Energy Code and KCC Title 16 building rules. Unincorporated areas do not have EV-only parking laws.
Under SMC 23.44.014, fences in single-family zones may be up to 6 ft solid in side/rear yards. Above 6 ft, fences must be predominantly open (50%+ open); total max is 8 ft. Front yard fences: max 4 ft in required setbacks. Fence + retaining wall combined max: 9.5 ft.
Seattle regulates fence materials through the Seattle Municipal Code. Residential zones allow wood, vinyl, composite, ornamental metal, and masonry. Chain-link is restricted in some front yard situations. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential areas.
In unincorporated King County, front-yard fences may be up to 4 ft tall and side and rear fences up to 6 ft. Corner lots must keep vision clearance. Critical-area buffers may restrict fencing.
King County requires a permit for any retaining wall over 4 ft tall or any wall supporting a surcharge load. Walls in landslide or steep-slope critical areas need geotechnical review regardless of height.
Washington has no good-neighbor fence statute. King County treats boundary fence disputes as civil matters. Fences must sit on the owner side of the line unless neighbors record an agreement.
King County follows Washington State Building Code pool barrier rules. Residential pools and spas over 24 in deep need a 48-in barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates opening outward from the pool.
Unincorporated King County requires a permit for fences over 6 ft tall and retaining walls over 4 ft. Fences at or under 6 ft usually need no permit but must meet setback and critical-area rules.
Unincorporated King County home occupations cannot generate traffic, parking, or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residential use, under KCC 21A.30.080. Routine commercial truck deliveries are prohibited.
Unincorporated King County permits one non-illuminated sign for a home occupation, limited to 2 square feet and attached to the dwelling. Freestanding or illuminated signs are prohibited under KCC 21A.20.
Home-based child care in unincorporated King County requires a Washington State DCYF license (Family Home Child Care up to 12 children). KCC 21A.30.080 allows licensed daycare as a home occupation in residential zones.
Washington Cottage Food Act (RCW 69.22) lets residents make non-hazardous foods at home and sell up to $25,000 per year with a WSDA permit. King County also requires compliance with KCC 21A.30.080 home occupation rules.
Unincorporated King County does not require a separate home occupation permit for businesses meeting KCC 21A.30.080 accessory use standards. A Washington State business license and B&O tax registration are required.
Unincorporated King County allows home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones under KCC 21A.30.080. The business must be run by residents and stay clearly incidental to the residential use.
Seattle does not currently enforce a juvenile curfew ordinance; previous curfew laws were allowed to expire, and the city relies on truancy and public safety laws instead.
Seattle parks are closed to the public from 11:30 PM to 4:00 AM under SMC 18.12.080, with enforcement by Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Police Department.
Washington licenses vapor product retailers through the WA Liquor and Cannabis Board under RCW 70.345. Seattle adds business licensing under SMC 6.208 plus a tobacco-retail license. Sales banned to anyone under 21.
Washington has no permanent statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products after a 2019 emergency rule expired. Seattle has explored menthol restrictions but no city-wide flavor ban is in effect. Federal rules ban most flavored cartridge e-cigarettes.
Seattle enforces the federal Tobacco 21 minimum age and Washington RCW 70.345 (effective Jan 2020), prohibiting all tobacco and vape sales to anyone under 21. Washington licenses retailers through the Liquor and Cannabis Board, and Public Health – Seattle & King County conducts compliance checks. There is no statewide flavor ban; a King County flavored-vape ban was rescinded by a court in 2020.
Seattle banned expanded polystyrene foam food service containers under SMC 21.36.086 starting 2009-2010, becoming the first major US city to do so. All food packaging must be recyclable or compostable. Washington added a statewide ban in 2024.
Seattle's 2018 plastic straw and utensil ban under SMC 21.36.086 made it the first major US city to prohibit single-use plastic straws and disposable utensils. All food service must use compostable alternatives or provide on-request only.
Seattle banned single-use plastic carryout bags in July 2012 — one of the first major US cities. Washington State then preempted with a statewide ban effective October 1, 2021 (HB 1205). Retailers must charge 8 cents per recycled-content paper bag or reusable bag. Bags must be 2.25 mils thick to qualify as reusable.
RCW 70A.245 requires food service businesses statewide to provide single-use utensils, straws, condiment packets, and beverage lids only when customers ask or affirmatively select them. The rule applies to dine-in, takeout, delivery, and drive-through orders countywide.
Seattle's Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO) requires landlords who demolish, substantially rehabilitate, change use, or remove housing from the rental market to pay qualifying low-income tenants relocation assistance through the city's program under SMC 22.210.
Seattle caps total move-in costs under SMC 7.24, allowing security deposits plus non-refundable fees up to no more than one month's rent, with last month's rent paid separately and installment plans required for tenants who request them.
Seattle's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance sharply limits no-fault evictions: landlords cannot terminate month-to-month or fixed-term tenancies without one of the enumerated causes in SMC 22.206.160, even when the lease ends.
Seattle's Fair Housing Ordinance SMC 14.08 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to applicants because of their lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, VASH, SSI, child support, alimony, and any other government or non-employment income.
Seattle Housing Authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), and SMC 14.08 requires Seattle landlords to accept them on equal terms with other lawful income, banning Section 8 refusals and pretextual screening barriers.
Seattle's tenant anti-harassment rules under SMC 14.06 and tenant protection chapters bar landlords from using threats, repeated unwanted contact, false statements, or service interruptions to drive tenants out, with enforcement by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR).
Seattle requires rental housing operators to register with the city and comply with the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) under SMC 22.214, which mandates periodic inspections to ensure habitability standards.
Seattle enforces one of the nation's strongest just cause eviction ordinances under SMC 22.206.160(C), requiring landlords to demonstrate one of 18 legally defined reasons to terminate a tenancy, complemented by Washington's statewide just cause law (RCW 59.18.650).
Washington state law (RCW 35.21.830) preempts local rent control, and Seattle cannot impose limits on rent increases, though the city has enacted other tenant protections including mandatory relocation assistance for large rent increases.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act prohibits landlords from passing through new fees during a tenancy that were not disclosed in the original lease, including utility surcharges, trash fees, and capital improvement assessments under RCW 59.18.140.
Seattle's Welcoming City Ordinance SMC 4.18, paired with Washington's Keep Washington Working and Courts Open to All Acts, bars city employees from inquiring about immigration status or assisting federal civil immigration enforcement absent a judicial warrant.
Washington has no state E-Verify mandate, and RCW 49.60 prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or immigration-related characteristics statewide.
Public Health Seattle King County inspects every food establishment 1-3 times yearly, scoring violations numerically. Since 2017, restaurants must post a color-coded sign — Excellent, Good, OK, or Needs Improvement — at the entrance.
Public Health Seattle King County's Zoonotic Disease Program responds to rodent complaints in Seattle. Property owners must abate infestations under SMC 10.22 nuisance code; food businesses face additional inspection consequences.
Washington RCW 70.95K bans household syringes from regular trash. Seattle and King County offer free sharps drop-off sites; residents must use rigid, puncture-proof containers. Pharmacies and clinics provide takeback.
Washington RCW 69.06 requires every food worker to obtain a Food Worker Card within two weeks of starting work. King County Public Health issues the card after a free online course and exam, valid for 2-3 years.
Washington landlord-tenant law and PHSKC guidance require rental property owners to investigate and treat reported bed bug infestations. Tenants must cooperate with inspections, prepare units, and avoid moving infested furniture between dwellings.
Washington's Cannabis Social Equity Program, run by the Liquor and Cannabis Board, prioritizes retailer licenses for applicants from communities harmed by cannabis prohibition. The program reissued forfeited licenses starting 2024.
Seattle SMC 23.42 limits cannabis retailers, producers, and processors to commercial (NC, C1/C2), industrial (IB, IC, IG), and certain mixed-use zones. Residential zones are prohibited; major institution overlays add restrictions.
Washington RCW 69.50.331 requires cannabis retailers to sit at least 1,000 feet from elementary and secondary schools, playgrounds, parks, libraries, and child-care centers. Seattle SMC 23.42 aligns with the state buffer.
Washington state law prohibits home cultivation of cannabis for recreational use; only qualifying medical patients may grow at home, and Seattle enforces state law with no local opt-out or expansion.
Seattle regulates cannabis retail locations through SMC Chapter 6.500 and land use code provisions, requiring state licensing plus city business license approval with buffer zones from schools, playgrounds, and other sensitive uses.
Initiative 502 legalized adult cannabis retail in Washington but did not authorize home cultivation. King County residents may not grow recreational cannabis at home. Only state-licensed Liquor and Cannabis Board producers can cultivate, and qualifying medical patients have narrow limits.
Washington does not authorize recreational cannabis delivery to consumers. Customers in King County must purchase in person at licensed retailers. Only registered medical patients can use a limited cooperative model, and licensee-to-licensee transport requires LCB-approved transporter licenses.
Seattle has not enacted a full gas leaf-blower ban as of 2026. Operations are governed by SMC 25.08 noise hours and decibel limits. The City Council has studied phaseouts but no ordinance has passed.
Washington RCW 70A.15 and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency Reg I limit commercial vehicle idling, while Seattle SMC Title 22 noise rules effectively cap residential engine idling. Diesel trucks face a five-minute idle limit in most cases.
Seattle Resolution 31895 (2019) declared a climate emergency and mobilized policy under the Green New Deal framework. The Climate Action Plan targets carbon neutrality by 2050, with interim goals tied to building, transport, and grid decarbonization.
The Seattle Energy Code (SMC 22.901) adopts amended IECC commercial provisions requiring high-solar-reflectance roofing on most low-slope new construction and reroofs. Permits require compliance documentation through SDCI.
Seattle's Sustainable Purchasing Policy (Executive Order 2014-05, refreshed 2022) directs all city departments to weigh life-cycle environmental impact in procurement. Vendors face evaluation criteria covering carbon, recycled content, toxics, and labor.
Seattle SMC 25.11 Tree Protection plus the Seattle Green Factor in SMC 23.86 require tree retention and landscaping density in development. Citywide canopy goal is 30% by 2037 as a heat-island mitigation strategy.
Seattle requires erosion and sediment control measures for all grading and land-disturbing activities under SMC Title 22, with mandatory best management practices to prevent soil runoff into waterways and Puget Sound.
Seattle regulates development along its extensive Puget Sound and freshwater shorelines under SMC Chapter 23.60A, the Shoreline Master Program, implementing Washington's Shoreline Management Act with strict buffers and use restrictions.
Seattle regulates all grading and drainage activities under SMC Title 22 Subtitle VIII, requiring permits for excavation, fill, and changes to site drainage patterns to protect slopes, waterways, and neighboring properties.
Seattle enforces comprehensive stormwater management under SMC Title 22 Subtitle VIII, requiring drainage control plans for all development and redevelopment to protect Puget Sound water quality.
Seattle participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and regulates construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas under SMC Chapters 25.06 and 25.09, requiring elevated structures and flood-resistant building standards.
Seattle enforces the Washington Shoreline Management Act through its Shoreline Master Program. Development within 200 feet of shorelines of statewide significance (Puget Sound, Lake Washington, Lake Union, Ship Canal, Duwamish River) requires a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit.
Installing or modifying boat docks in Seattle requires permits under the Shoreline Master Program (SMC 23.60A), federal Army Corps Section 10 permits, and potentially Washington Department of Ecology approvals. Docks must comply with environmental standards protecting salmon habitat and water quality. SDCI reviews all dock proposals within the shoreline district.
Seawall and bulkhead maintenance in Seattle is regulated under the Shoreline Master Program (SMC 23.60A) and the Washington Shoreline Management Act. Work on seawalls within the shoreline district requires a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit or exemption from SDCI. Environmental review under SEPA may be required for significant projects.
Seattle SMC 22.601 (Building Code) plus IRC R313 require automatic fire sprinklers in all new multifamily buildings, townhomes, and most new single-family residences with conditioned area or fire-flow shortfalls. Retrofit triggers exist.
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.
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.
Seattle requires landlords to maintain rental properties free of pest infestations under the Housing and Building Maintenance Code (SMC 22.206). The city encourages integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Commercial pesticide applicators must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Agriculture under RCW 17.21.
Seattle follows federal EPA and Washington state lead-based paint regulations under RCW 70A.420. Landlords must disclose known lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 housing. Renovation, repair, and painting work disturbing lead paint in pre-1978 buildings must be performed by EPA-certified lead-safe firms. Washington's Department of Commerce administers the state lead-based paint activities program.
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 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.
Door locks on residential and commercial buildings in King County must comply with the Washington-adopted International Building Code and International Fire Code under RCW 19.27, ensuring single-action egress without keys, tools, or special knowledge.
King County Code Title 21A controls house bulk through floor-area, lot-coverage, and height limits rather than a dedicated mansionization ordinance, with stricter standards in rural and Vashon Island zones to preserve neighborhood character.
Seattle's Comprehensive Plan, last updated as 'Seattle 2035' and refreshed in the 2024 'One Seattle Plan,' channels growth into Urban Villages and Urban Centers. SMC Title 23 implements zoning consistent with the Plan.
Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability program (SMC 23.58B-C) grants extra height and FAR in upzoned areas in exchange for on-site affordable units or in-lieu fees. MHA evolved from the 2015 HALA framework.
King County and Sound Transit promote transit-oriented communities along Link light rail corridors, requiring affordable housing, reduced parking, and pedestrian-friendly design near new stations.
Seattle Public Utilities asks customers for voluntary water conservation under its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions activate only at Stage 2 or above, declared during regional drought emergencies.
King County water utilities require customers to fix detectable leaks promptly and offer high-bill leak adjustments when an undetected service-line leak causes an unusual spike in metered water use.
Several King County water utilities offer turf replacement and natural lawn rebates, encouraging homeowners to swap thirsty grass for native, drought-tolerant landscaping that protects salmon streams.
Seattle SMC 11.40 plus the Bicycle Master Plan govern cyclists. Bikes follow vehicle traffic laws, may use protected and conventional bike lanes, and must yield in shared spaces. Seattle has 100+ miles of protected and neighborhood-greenway lanes.
Seattle SDOT permits shared e-scooter operators under SMC 11.65 (since 2020). Lime, Bird, Veo, and others share the streets. Scooters must be ridden in bike lanes or streets, parked upright off pedestrian paths, and capped at 15 mph.
Seattle regulates adult entertainment under SMC 6.270, requiring premises and manager licenses, four-foot performer-customer separation, no direct tipping, and zoning that confines adult cabarets to specified industrial and commercial zones with buffer distances from residences and schools.
Tobacco and vapor retailers in Seattle must hold a Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board license plus a Seattle business license under SMC 5.50, comply with the statewide age-21 sales floor, and follow flavored-vape and signage restrictions enforced by LCB and Public Health Seattle King County.
Tow operators in Seattle need a WA State Patrol registered tow truck operator (RTTO) certificate under RCW 46.55 plus a Seattle business license, and must follow city impound-rate caps, signage rules for private-property impounds, and SDOT rotational towing contracts.
Massage businesses in Seattle must hold both a state Department of Health practitioner license under RCW 18.108 and a city massage business license under SMC 6.290, with background checks, anti-trafficking signage, and inspections targeting illicit massage operations.
Secondhand dealers in Seattle must register under SMC 6.288, comply with WA RCW 19.60 reporting, hold purchases for 30 days, photograph and electronically transmit transaction details to the Seattle Police Department through LeadsOnline, and verify seller identification.
Pawnbrokers in Seattle operate under WA RCW 19.60, capping monthly interest at three percent plus a small fee, requiring 90-day loan terms, daily SPD reporting, and a 30-day police hold on pawned goods before forfeiture and sale.
Seattle prohibits aggressive solicitation under SMC 12A.12.015 — soliciting with threatening conduct, after dusk, near ATMs, or by blocking pedestrians — while passive panhandling remains protected speech under Initiative 75 and First Amendment limits set by Seattle courts.
Urinating or defecating in any public place visible to others — streets, parks, alleys, doorways — is a misdemeanor under SMC 12A.10.100, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, with diversion typically offered for first offenses.
Seattle's noise code SMC 25.08 sets nighttime residential quiet hours of 10pm-7am weekdays (10pm-9am weekends) and authorizes officers to cite or shut down loud parties as public disturbance noise, with escalating fines and possible response-cost reimbursement.
Washington's Smoking in Public Places Act (RCW 70.160) bans smoking and vaping inside public places and within 25 feet of entrances, while Seattle SMC 10.30 and Parks rules add bans in parks, beaches, playgrounds, and on Metro transit property.
Washington's 2024 Free to Walk Act amended RCW 46.61.250 so police may not stop pedestrians solely for crossing outside a marked crosswalk when no immediate hazard exists, though crossing into a vehicle's path remains an infraction enforced by SPD.
Adults 21 and older may possess cannabis under Washington Initiative 502, but public consumption violates RCW 69.50.445 with civil infractions; King County Parks separately bans use in all parks and natural areas.
Washington prohibits opening or consuming alcohol in public places under RCW 66.44.100, and King County Parks bans alcohol without permit; cities maintain alcohol impact areas and downtown sidewalk drinking restrictions.
Seattle lodging stays under 30 days incur roughly 15.7% in combined transient occupancy taxes — 10.25% state and local sales tax, 7% city special hotel tax, 2% King County tax, and a Tourism Promotion Area fee — collected by operators under SMC 5.36 and remitted monthly.
Several King County cities, including Seattle, require hotels to retain incumbent workers for a transition period when the property changes hands, modeled on Seattle's Hotel Employees Health and Safety Initiative passed in 2016.
SeaTac's Proposition 1 sets a hospitality living wage above state minimum, and Seattle hotels of 100-plus rooms face Initiative 124 wage and benefit standards; both apply within their city limits, layered on state wages.
Seattle bars camping in parks under SMC 18.12 and on public rights-of-way under SMC 15.48, and the Unified Care Team applies a Multi-Departmental Administrative Rule (MDAR) protocol balancing notice, outreach, and obstruction-based removals after the 2024 Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling.
Unincorporated King County does not enforce a sit-lie ordinance, but Seattle's SMC 15.48.040 prohibits sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Bellevue and Kent have similar narrow daytime restrictions in commercial cores.
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), formed jointly by Seattle and King County in 2019, coordinates encampment outreach, sanitation, and resolution. Cleanups follow protocols requiring advance notice, belongings storage, and shelter offers.
King County and Seattle authorize transitional bridge housing including tiny-house villages, enhanced shelters, and safe parking, operated under contract by KCRHA, the Low Income Housing Institute, Mary's Place, and DESC, with streamlined permitting.
FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions and the federal stadium rule prohibit drone flights over Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, and Kraken games at Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, and Climate Pledge Arena, plus Seafair, marathons, and presidential visits.
FAA controlled-airspace rules govern Seattle drone flights. Sea-Tac (KSEA) and Boeing Field (KBFI) blanket most of the city in Class B or D airspace, requiring LAANC pre-authorization or Part 107 waiver before takeoff.
Recreational drone use in Seattle is primarily governed by FAA federal regulations, with local restrictions on flights in parks and near critical infrastructure; the city does not have a standalone drone ordinance but enforces general safety and privacy laws.
Commercial drone operations in Seattle require FAA Part 107 certification and may need additional local permits for use in parks, over events, or near critical infrastructure, with Seattle's dense airspace requiring careful flight planning.
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections runs Solar Express, an over-the-counter same-day permit pathway for typical residential rooftop PV installations under SMC Title 22. Washington HB-1117 requires statewide expedited solar permitting.
Washington HB-1814 (2022) created a $100M Low-Income Community Solar program letting renters and condo owners subscribe to off-site arrays. Seattle City Light participates and prioritizes households at or below 80% area median income.
Seattle requires building permits for solar panel installations under SMC Title 22, but has streamlined the process with expedited review for standard residential rooftop systems to encourage renewable energy adoption.
Washington state law (RCW 64.38.055) prohibits HOAs from banning solar installations, and Seattle's building code supports solar access with height exemptions, making it one of the most solar-friendly jurisdictions.
Seattle SMC 21.36.083 prohibits placing food scraps and compostable paper in garbage carts citywide. Single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and businesses must subscribe to food and yard waste service since the 2015 mandate.
Seattle mandates weekly collection of garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste through Seattle Public Utilities, with mandatory composting and recycling requirements that make it one of the nation's strictest waste diversion programs.
Seattle requires garbage, recycling, and compost containers to be placed at the curb or alley edge on collection day and stored on private property between collections, with specific placement rules to ensure safe collection access.
Seattle provides bulky item collection through Seattle Public Utilities and operates transfer stations for large items that do not fit in regular collection carts, with special rules for construction debris, appliances, and electronics.
Seattle mandates comprehensive recycling and composting under SMC 21.36 with a goal of zero waste, requiring separation of recyclables and food waste from garbage for all residents and businesses with enforcement through contamination checks and fines.
Seattle SMC 14.18 (2017, expanded 2018) makes Seattle one of the first US cities to require City Council approval and a Surveillance Impact Report before any city department acquires or deploys surveillance technology, including facial recognition.
Seattle Police use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) is governed by SMC 14.18 surveillance rules. SPD's ALPR program required a Surveillance Impact Report, City Council approval, and is bound by data-retention limits.
Seattle allows residential security cameras on private property but Washington's strict two-party consent law (RCW 9.73.030) applies to audio recording. Video-only recording of public areas is generally permitted. Cameras must not record areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Washington is a two-party (all-party) consent state under RCW 9.73.030. Recording any private conversation without consent from all parties is a gross misdemeanor. This applies to phone calls, in-person conversations, and audio features on security cameras.
Seattle allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in residential zones without a building permit. Fences up to 8 feet (with architectural features like trellises) may be permitted. No permit is needed for fences 8 feet or shorter that are not masonry or concrete above 6 feet.
Seattle SMC 25.12 and 25.16-25.30 establish historic districts including Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Ballard Avenue, Columbia City, Harvard-Belmont, Fort Lawton, International District, and Sand Point. Exterior changes need Certificate of Approval.
Seattle SMC 25.12 empowers the Landmarks Preservation Board to designate individual landmarks. Approved landmarks require a Certificate of Approval before any controlled-feature alteration; over 500 landmarks are listed citywide.
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a Class C noxious weed in King County. Property owners are encouraged to control it; nurseries are barred from selling it. The species hosts spotted lanternfly, a feared invasive pest.
Seattle does not have a specific ordinance banning or restricting bamboo. However, running bamboo that spreads onto neighboring properties or public rights-of-way may be addressed as a nuisance under city code. Washington state noxious weed laws do not list bamboo.
Seattle follows the Washington State Noxious Weed List and King County's noxious weed regulations. Property owners must control Class A, B, and C noxious weeds. Common prohibited species include knotweed, Scotch broom, English ivy, and Himalayan blackberry.
Seattle allows front yard food gardens and edible landscaping. The city actively encourages urban agriculture through P-Patch community gardens and residential food production. No permit is needed for front yard gardens that comply with vegetation height limits.
Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance SMC 14.16 requires every employer to give workers paid leave that accrues from the first hour worked, usable for illness, family care, domestic violence, and public health closures.
Seattle's Secure Scheduling Ordinance SMC 14.22 requires large retail and food-service employers (500+ employees worldwide; 40+ for full-service restaurants) to give 14 days advance notice of schedules and pay premiums for last-minute changes.
Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance SMC 14.19 sets a citywide floor well above Washington's, reaching $20.76 per hour in 2025 for all employers with a single rate after small-business tip and benefit credits sunset in 2025.
Seattle SMC 25.08 limits construction equipment to 80 dBA measured at the receiving property line, with maximum-noise exemptions during permitted weekday daytime hours. Impact equipment like jackhammers requires noise-reduction measures.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 commercial-to-residential limits of 57 dBA day and 47 dBA night. WSLCB liquor license conditions often impose outdoor music curfews.
HVAC equipment in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at adjacent property lines. Setback, sound blankets, or enclosures are often required for nighttime compliance.
Generators in unincorporated King County must meet KCC 12.86 limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night at residential boundaries. Emergency operation during declared power outages is exempt under WAC 173-60-050.
Seattle's overhauled Tree Protection Ordinance, SMC 25.11 (effective 2023), creates a tiered system. Tier 1 exceptional trees, Tier 2 heritage trees, and Tier 3 trees over 12-inch DBH need permits and replacement.
Seattle requires permits for removal of most significant trees under SMC 25.11, with strict protections for trees over 6 inches in diameter and enhanced rules for exceptional trees (24 inches or larger) on both developed and undeveloped lots.
Seattle requires replacement planting when trees are removed, with ratios scaled by the size and tier of the removed tree under SMC 25.11, and an in-lieu payment option when on-site replanting is not feasible.
Seattle Municipal Code 25.11, overhauled in 2023, classifies trees into four tiers. Tier-1 (Exceptional) trees 24+ inch DBH and Tier-2 trees 12–24 inch DBH are highly protected. Removal requires a SDCI tree permit, certified arborist report, public notice, and in-kind replacement or in-lieu fee under the new ordinance.
Seattle has a comprehensive tree protection ordinance (SMC 25.11) that regulates removal of significant trees on both public and private property. Trees 6 inches or larger in diameter generally require a permit to remove. Exceptional trees receive the highest protection.
Washington RCW 9.41.290 reserves firearms regulation to the state, blocking most city-level gun rules. Seattle has tested narrow ordinances on storage and parks, but courts have struck several down under the preemption statute.
Washington permits open carry of firearms without a permit for adults 21 and older. Seattle cannot ban open carry in most public spaces due to state preemption, but RCW 9.41.300 prohibits openly carried weapons at permitted demonstrations and the state Capitol.
Under RCW 9.41.050, you may not carry a loaded pistol in a vehicle in Washington without a Concealed Pistol License. Long guns must be unloaded. Seattle follows state rules without supplemental restrictions.
Washington requires a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) to carry a loaded handgun concealed off your premises. King County Sheriff issues CPLs to Seattle residents under RCW 9.41.070. The state is shall-issue with background checks.
Seattle Office of Film + Music issues a free citywide Master Film Permit for productions including student films. Small handheld shoots may proceed without paperwork; tripods, crews, or street use trigger permit and insurance requirements.
Film productions in Seattle must comply with the Noise Control ordinance (SMC 25.08). Generators, amplified sound, and production activities must stay within allowed decibel levels. Productions exceeding noise limits may request variances through the film permit process. Nighttime filming near residential areas faces stricter limits.
Full street closures for film production in Seattle require a minimum of 10 business days to process and are coordinated through SDOT, SPD, and King County Metro. A detailed schematic of the proposed closure and filming setup is required. Lane closures and intermittent traffic control require a minimum of 5 business days. Hiring of police officers is required for traffic control.
Seattle requires film permits for any production activity on public property at a flat rate of $25 per day regardless of filming impact. Three impact levels determine the application lead time: low impact (3 business days), medium impact (5 business days), and high impact (10+ business days). Productions with budgets under $10,000 pay $25 for up to 14 consecutive shoot days.
Seattle SMC Title 15 requires a Special Event Permit from the Special Events Committee for parades, races, and festivals using city streets. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days in advance, and major events 90+ days.
Seattle requires SDOT permits for sidewalk cafes through the Street and Sidewalk Vending Program. Seasonal sidewalk cafe permits are active from April 1 through October 31. Cafes must maintain minimum clear pedestrian pathways and comply with ADA accessibility requirements. The City Council passed Safe Start permits to support permanent outdoor dining.
Seattle offers free block party permits for residential street closures through the Seattle Services Portal. Applications require four contacts including a financially responsible party. Block parties are limited to residential streets and alleys and are intended for neighborhood gatherings. The process is straightforward and managed by SDOT.
Seattle Parks and Recreation requires permits for outdoor events in city parks including festivals, concerts, and walk/run events. Applications must be submitted through the Parks Event Scheduling Office and can be filed up to one year in advance. Processing takes 5-15 business days depending on the season, with late fees for applications submitted less than 30 days before the event.
Seattle's sign code SMC 23.55 bans new off-premises billboards citywide, prohibits digital conversion of existing billboards, restricts on-premises electronic message centers to 8-second hold times in commercial zones, and bans flashing or animated signs in residential areas.
Seattle allows temporary garage sale signs on private property but prohibits placement in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, and on public property under SMC sign regulations.
Seattle permits political signs on private property with minimal restrictions under SMC Title 23, consistent with First Amendment protections, with size limits in residential zones but no permit requirement.
Seattle allows seasonal and holiday displays on private property with minimal regulation, treating them as temporary signs or decorations that generally do not require permits unless they involve electrical or structural modifications.
Seattle Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings (3+ units) when within 10 feet of combustible construction. Electric grills are exempt. Single-family backyards have no city restrictions beyond fire-safety setbacks from buildings.
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Seattle are allowed at single-family homes but are subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section 9.11 visible-emissions rules, which prohibit any visible smoke exceeding 20% opacity for more than 3 minutes per hour. Multi-family balconies fall under Seattle Fire Code 308.1.4 and may not host wood-fired smokers.
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Seattle require building permits from SDCI when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof under Seattle Building Code (SMC Title 22) and Seattle Mechanical Code Chapter 5. Detached outdoor structures under 200 sq ft and not connected to utilities may qualify for a subject-to-field-inspection (STFI) permit.
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified outdoor displays, the Outdoor Lighting Code at SMC 23.86.013 covers light trespass, and HOAs typically set the binding rules. Most displays operate freely with no permit.
Seattle's Land Use Code allows residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and yard art without permits provided structures do not exceed accessory-structure height limits in SMC 23.44.014 (typically 12 feet) and do not encroach into the public right-of-way. Signs with messaging are regulated by SMC 23.55, and HOA architectural review still applies to condominiums.
Seattle does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08) limits apply to blower-motor noise, the Outdoor Lighting Code (SMC 23.86.013) covers light trespass, and HOAs are the most common source of enforcement. Outdoor electrical connections require GFCI protection under Seattle Electrical Code 210.8.
Seattle requires food trucks to obtain a King County food establishment permit, a Seattle business license, and a Seattle street use permit to operate on public streets, with specific health and operational standards enforced by Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Seattle designates specific street vending zones and allows food trucks on private property, with SDOT managing public right-of-way vending locations through street use permits and special event permitting.
Seattle residents can post No Soliciting signs that solicitors must legally respect, and trespass laws protect homeowners who ask solicitors to leave their property.
Seattle regulates door-to-door solicitation through its business license requirements and consumer protection regulations, requiring commercial solicitors to carry identification and comply with consumer protection rules.
Seattle limits the percentage of a lot that can be covered by structures under SMC Title 23, with NR3 residential zones allowing up to 35 percent lot coverage for the principal structure plus additional allowances for accessory structures.
Seattle enforces specific yard setback requirements under SMC Title 23 that vary by zone, with the 2025 NR zoning reclassification establishing standardized setbacks of 5 feet on sides and 20 to 25 feet in front for residential zones.
Seattle imposes building height limits by zone under SMC Title 23, with residential NR zones limited to 30 feet plus rooftop features, and commercial/mixed-use zones allowing greater heights depending on density targets.
Seattle does not require permits for residential garage sales, and no city license is needed for occasional sales of personal property from a residential home.
Seattle does not impose specific time-of-day restrictions on garage sales, but the noise ordinance (SMC 25.08) establishes quiet hours that effectively limit early morning and late evening sale activity in residential areas.
Seattle does not impose specific limits on the number of garage sales a household may hold per year, but sales that become too frequent or large may be classified as commercial activity requiring a business license.
Seattle addresses light trespass through land use code development standards and general nuisance provisions, requiring outdoor lighting to be directed downward and shielded to prevent spillover onto adjacent properties.
Seattle Municipal Code regulates outdoor lighting through zoning standards in §23.45 (residential) and §23.47A (commercial). Fully-shielded fixtures are required on new commercial installations, light trespass is capped at 0.5 foot-candles at residential lines, and recent rules cap color temperature at 3000K. Seattle works with King County on regional dark-sky alignment.
Seattle enforces property maintenance standards through the Housing and Building Maintenance Code (SMC 22.206) and the Chronic Nuisance Properties ordinance (SMC 10.09), requiring owners to maintain properties free of blight and nuisance conditions.
Seattle does not require permits for residential garage sales and imposes minimal regulations, though general sign code and noise ordinance provisions apply.
Seattle requires owners of vacant lots to maintain them free of debris, overgrowth, and nuisance conditions under the Housing and Building Maintenance Code and general nuisance provisions.
Seattle requires property owners and occupants to clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks under SMC 15.48, though enforcement is relatively rare given the city's infrequent snowfall events.
Seattle regulates trash and recycling container storage and placement under SMC Title 21 Subtitle III and the Housing and Building Maintenance Code, requiring bins to be stored out of public view except on collection days.
HOA assessments in Seattle are governed by WUCIOA (RCW 64.90). Associations must adopt an annual budget and may levy regular and special assessments. Special assessments require member approval unless the declaration provides otherwise. Assessment liens are priority liens for up to six months of unpaid assessments, taking priority over first mortgages.
HOAs in Seattle are governed by the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA), RCW 64.90. Board meetings must be open to all unit owners. Boards must begin each meeting with at least 15 minutes for homeowner comments, and individual owners may be limited to 90 seconds of speaking time. Executive sessions are permitted only for limited purposes such as legal matters and personnel issues.
CC&R enforcement in Seattle HOAs is governed by WUCIOA (RCW 64.90). Associations may impose fines, suspend privileges, and pursue legal action for covenant violations. The board must provide written notice of violations and an opportunity to be heard before imposing sanctions. Fines must be reasonable and authorized by the declaration or rules.
HOA architectural review in Seattle is governed by WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) and each association's declaration and CC&Rs. Architectural committees must apply standards consistently and provide written guidelines. Under WUCIOA, owners may attend architectural review committee meetings. Associations cannot prohibit display of the U.S. flag, Washington state flag, or certain political signs.
WUCIOA (RCW 64.90) provides structured dispute resolution procedures for HOA conflicts in Seattle. Owners and associations may pursue internal grievance procedures, mediation, or arbitration before litigation. The act encourages alternative dispute resolution and provides for recovery of attorney fees by the prevailing party in most HOA disputes.
Seattle has identified over 1,100 unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings that pose earthquake collapse hazards. SDCI maintains a public database of all known URM buildings. The 2021 Existing Building Code adopted in November 2024 establishes minimum retrofit standards. The city is developing financial support programs including FEMA grants and transfer of development rights to help fund mandatory retrofits.
Washington state requires seismic gas shutoff valves for buildings where a building permit was first issued on or after January 26, 1995. Valves must be installed downstream of the gas utility meter and comply with ANSI Z21.93 standards. The valve automatically closes the gas supply when it detects significant seismic activity (5.2 magnitude or greater).
Seattle adopted the 2021 Existing Building Code recognizing URM retrofits on November 15, 2024. The city has identified over 1,100 collapse-hazard unreinforced masonry buildings housing or employing over 22,000 people. Compliance is currently voluntary but mandatory retrofits are planned once supportive resources are established. Two retrofit pathways exist: code-based and the Alternate Method similar to California's Bolts+ approach.
Seattle's building code requires proper foundation anchoring for new construction and encourages seismic bolting for existing homes. The Seattle Building Code follows International Building Code standards for anchor bolt sizing and placement. Retrofit foundation bolting is a common seismic upgrade for older Seattle homes built before modern code requirements.
Seattle requires Street Use permits from SDOT for vending in public rights-of-way. Six types of vending permits are available depending on location and timing. Only food, beverages, and cut flowers may be sold in public spaces. Vendors must also hold a business license and may need King County Health permits. Approval takes approximately 8 weeks.
Seattle designates specific food-vehicle vending zones, most commonly in curb spaces adjacent to sidewalks. Zones are established by SDOT considering pedestrian flow, traffic safety, and proximity to businesses. Sidewalk and plaza street-food permits are valid for one year and are split between daytime (6 AM-8 PM) and nighttime (8 PM-6 AM) periods.
Mobile food carts and trucks in Seattle must comply with SDOT vending permits, King County Health requirements, Seattle Fire Department regulations, and the Seattle Municipal Code. Carts must meet size restrictions for sidewalk placement and maintain required clearances. Food trucks require specific vehicle compliance in addition to vending permits.
Seattle SDCI prioritizes code complaints by severity. Emergency life-safety issues receive immediate response. Standard building and housing complaints are typically investigated within 20 business days, though complex cases may take longer.
Seattle's most common code violations include unpermitted construction, overgrown vegetation and weeds, substandard housing conditions, illegal use of property, and work exceeding permit scope. SDCI enforces the Seattle Municipal Code and International Building Code.
Seattle accepts code violation reports through the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) by phone at (206) 615-0808, online via the Seattle Services Portal, or by mail. The Find It Fix It app handles city infrastructure issues but not building code complaints.
Most decks in Seattle require a subject-to-field-inspection construction permit from SDCI. Patios and platforms under 18 inches above grade that are not over a basement do not need a permit. Decks over 36 inches above ground count toward lot coverage limits.
Seattle exempts one-story detached sheds from building permits if the projected roof area is under 120 square feet and the foundation is a slab on the ground. Larger sheds require a construction permit from SDCI. All sheds must comply with lot coverage and setback requirements.
Most residential fences in Seattle do not require a building permit. Fences 8 feet or shorter without masonry or concrete above 6 feet are exempt. Fences in flood-prone areas, shoreline zones, or environmentally critical areas may need additional review.
Seattle requires construction permits for most home renovations including structural changes, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, and adding/removing walls. Minor cosmetic work like painting and replacing fixtures generally does not require permits.
In unincorporated King County, sidewalks are limited and primarily located in urban-designated areas. Under KCC 14.30, abutting property owners share responsibility for sidewalk maintenance and may be required to repair damaged sidewalks adjoining their property in cooperation with the Road Services Division.
Sidewalks and public rights of way in unincorporated King County must be kept clear under KCC Title 14. Obstructions like parked vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, construction materials, or debris are prohibited without a permit from the Road Services Division.
Washington's Growth Management Act under RCW 36.70A.170 requires counties and cities to designate and protect agricultural lands of long-term commercial significance through zoning.
Washington RCW 7.48.305 protects established agricultural activities from nuisance lawsuits when operations existed before nearby nonagricultural land uses changed the area.