Deck permits in Seattle: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a deck permit in Seattle, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI).
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to Seattle's source.
When does a deck need a permit in Seattle?
Permit required if: deck >18in above grade, OR roof deck, OR in an ECA. Decks ≤18in above grade and outside ECAs are exempt. If deck >36in above grade, it counts toward lot coverage. If deck >8ft tall, has long beams, is a roof deck, or in an ECA → Construction Permit (Addition/Alteration); otherwise Subject-to-Field-Inspection.
How long a deck permit actually takes in Seattle
121 permits with plan review issued in the last 12 months: half were issued within 59 days of application and 80% within 208. At the median, 44 days were with the City and 12 with the applicant answering corrections. Typical review cycles: 2; 8% were issued on the first review. 108 permits over the counter (subject-to-field-inspection) issued in the last 12 months: half were issued within 1 days of application and 80% within 7. At the median, 1 days were with the City and 0 with the applicant answering corrections.
Days from application to issue, measured by Kolmo from City of Seattle issued building permits, data.seattle.gov dataset 76t5-zqzr.
In the source's own words
“You need a permit to build a deck if it is: More than 18 inches above the ground”Source ↗verified 2026-04-26
Required submittals
- Site plan with setbacks
- Section / detail drawings
- Lot coverage calc if >36in above grade
Inspection sequence
- Footing
- Framing
- Final
Contractor specialties needed
General contractor
Who can do this work in Seattle?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout Seattle and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the deck permit with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), carries the project through review and inspections, and performs the construction. Call (206) 410-5100 for a Seattle deck quote.
Notes & caveats
Most residential decks qualify for Subject-to-Field-Inspection permit. In NR zones a deck more than 18 in above grade meets the setbacks (front and rear 15 ft for one or two units, side 5 ft average and 3 ft minimum, no rear setback on an alley); a deck 18 in or lower may sit in any setback (SMC 23.44.090 Table A and H.1). Architect/engineer stamp typically not required.
Deck permit fee estimate in Seattle
Worked example for an $18,000 deck project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $597 |
| Plan review | $238.80 |
| Technology surcharge | $41.79 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $884.09 |
Where a deck needs an SDCI permit, it is usually a subject-to-field-inspection permit. SDCI prices the building permit on the value of the work through its Development Fee Index: $325 for the first $1,000, plus $1.60 for each $100 more to $25,000 ($709 there), $1.55 per $100 to $50,000 ($1,096.50), $1.50 per $100 to $75,000 ($1,471.50) and $1.40 per $100 to $100,000. A subject-to-field-inspection permit, SDCI's simpler path with no full plan review, is 100% of the index plus a plan review fee of 40% (minimum $116.75), and the permit fee is due at application. A 5% technology fee is added to every SDCI fee, and the state building code fee is $6.50 on a residential permit (SMC 22.900; RCW 19.27.085). A $20,000 deck comes to about $931. Computed from Seattle's adopted fee schedule · source ↗. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your deck in Seattle — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline, critical-area or historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 3 documents under Required submittals above.
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (about $884 for an $18,000 project) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), handles reviewer comments, and builds the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
Deck permits in Seattle — FAQ
When does a deck need a permit in Seattle?
Permit required if: deck >18in above grade, OR roof deck, OR in an ECA. Decks ≤18in above grade and outside ECAs are exempt. If deck >36in above grade, it counts toward lot coverage. If deck >8ft tall, has long beams, is a roof deck, or in an ECA → Construction Permit (Addition/Alteration); otherwise Subject-to-Field-Inspection.
How much does a deck permit cost in Seattle?
For a $18,000 deck project, the estimated Seattle permit fee is about $884.09 (building fee $597 + plan review $238.80 + surcharges) from Seattle's adopted fee schedule. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.
How long does it actually take to get a deck permit in Seattle?
121 permits with plan review issued in the last 12 months: half were issued within 59 days of application and 80% within 208. At the median, 44 days were with the City and 12 with the applicant answering corrections. Typical review cycles: 2; 8% were issued on the first review. 108 permits over the counter (subject-to-field-inspection) issued in the last 12 months: half were issued within 1 days of application and 80% within 7. At the median, 1 days were with the City and 0 with the applicant answering corrections. Measured by Kolmo from City of Seattle issued building permits, data.seattle.gov dataset 76t5-zqzr.