Do I Need a Permit for My Project?
In Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond, a building permit is required for most work that changes structure, adds floor area, raises a deck more than 30 inches above the ground, or adds or moves plumbing and wiring; most painting, like-for-like repairs and short fences do not need one. This checker applies those rules to your project in your city and links you to the city's own page.
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Rules that apply almost everywhere here
These four cities build on the International Residential Code as adopted by Washington, so the common exemptions are the same:
- Fences up to 7 feet tall generally need no building permit, though zoning height limits still apply.
- Decks no more than 30 inches above grade, under 200 square feet, not attached to the house and not serving a required exit door are generally exempt.
- Painting, finish flooring, cabinets and countertops generally need no permit.
- Anything that adds floor area, changes structure, or adds or moves plumbing, gas or electrical work needs one, and the trades pull their own permits for their part.
Where the cities differ
| Topic | Seattle | Bellevue | Kirkland | Redmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application system | Seattle Services Portal | MyBuildingPermit | MyBuildingPermit | MyBuildingPermit |
| Tree review | Protects large and exceptional trees citywide | Significant trees protected; retention required with development | Detailed tree retention rules on most lots | Significant trees protected; replacement required |
| Steep slopes | Environmentally critical areas, common on hillside neighborhoods | Steep slope and landslide areas on southern and eastern hills | Lakeward slopes and Finn Hill ravines | Edges of Education Hill and the Lake Sammamish shore |
| Water | Shoreline rules on lakes, Puget Sound and the Ship Canal | Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish shoreline; Kelsey and Coal creeks | Lake Washington shoreline; Juanita Bay | Bear Creek, Evans Creek and the Sammamish River |
Lead paint and asbestos on older houses
Houses built before 1978 may have lead paint. Under Washington's lead renovation rules, contractors who disturb painted surfaces in those houses must be certified and follow lead-safe work practices. Separately, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency requires an asbestos survey before many renovation and demolition projects; older siding, roofing, flooring and duct wrap are common sources. Neither is a city building permit, but both affect how and by whom the work can be done.
Questions about permits
Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?
Either can, but the contractor usually does, and should for any work they perform. A contractor who asks you to pull the permit in your name for their work is shifting responsibility to you.
What happens if work was done without a permit?
It tends to surface at sale, during an insurance claim or when a later permit brings an inspector in. The fix is a permit after the fact, which can mean opening finished walls for inspection.
Does my HOA approval count?
No. HOA approval and a city permit are separate, and a project may need both.