Land-use permits in Seattle: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a land-use / zoning 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 land-use or zoning work need a permit in Seattle?
Triggered when a project does not conform to the strict letter of the zoning code. Variances require a hardship finding under most city codes. Design review thresholds vary (Seattle: most multifamily + non-residential >4,000 sqft; many cities: design review only in designated districts).
From Seattle's own code
“The Official Land Use Map of The City of Seattle, Exhibit A of Ordinance 110381, is by this reference made a part of this subtitle and may hereafter be amended.”Source ↗verified 2026-05-02
Required submittals
- Narrative of request
- Site plan
- Design / elevation drawings if design review
- SEPA checklist (if required)
- Mailing labels for public notice
Inspection sequence
- Intake completeness
- Staff review
- Public comment period
- Decision (admin or hearing examiner)
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 land-use / zoning 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 land-use / zoning quote.
Notes & caveats
Issuing body is city planning, not building. Land-use approvals precede building permits and have their own SEPA threshold review. Process timelines run weeks to months; public notice + hearing examiner involvement is common.
How to apply yourself
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your Seattle land-use / zoning — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 5 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 (Seattle's fee schedule sets them) 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
Land-use permits in Seattle — FAQ
When does land-use or zoning work need a permit in Seattle?
Triggered when a project does not conform to the strict letter of the zoning code. Variances require a hardship finding under most city codes. Design review thresholds vary (Seattle: most multifamily + non-residential >4,000 sqft; many cities: design review only in designated districts).
How much does a land-use / zoning permit cost in Seattle?
SDCI charges land use review at $551 an hour. A Master Use Permit decision, including a variance, a short subdivision, a shoreline substantial development permit or an environmental (SEPA) review, starts with a minimum fee covering the first 10 hours, $5,510, and further hours are billed at $551. A land use pre-application conference is 2 hours ($1,102), zoning coaching 1 hour ($551), a lot boundary adjustment 5 hours ($2,755), a shoreline exemption 1 hour ($551) and a legal building site letter 2 hours ($1,102). Each extra correction cycle can add twice the $292 base fee, and a 5% technology fee is added (SMC 22.900C.010).