Roofing permits in Seattle: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a roofing / re-roof 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 — the office that issues the permit at your address, the mapped areas on the lot, cited to Seattle's source.
When does a re-roof need a permit in Seattle?
Seattle Residential Code R105.2 lists as work exempt from a building permit: "11. Roof recover." and "12. Roof replacement if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation, and the work is equivalent to or better than the existing structure. Permits are required for structural changes and replacement of sheathing of any size." Energy Code R503.1.1, Exceptions 2 and 3, still set the insulation requirement where the roof cavity is exposed.
How Seattle adopted this rule
The threshold comes from the state code (WAC 51.51), which Seattle adopts by reference in the provision quoted below.
“Table A for 22.101.010 lists various adopted Seattle editions of construction codes. For each base code that has been adopted by reference, a copy is available in the City Clerk's Office under the listed Clerk File number. Each code consists of the listed portions of the base code, any additional chapters listed as adopted by ordinance, and amendments adopted by ordinance.”Source ↗verified 2026-09-16
Required submittals
- Scope description
- Manufacturer underlayment + flashing details
Inspection sequence
- Mid-roof / underlayment
- 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 roofing / re-roof 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 roofing / re-roof quote.
Notes & caveats
The exemption is from the building permit only; the work must still meet the code (SRC R105.2).
How to apply yourself
- 1. Check who issues the permit. Run an address lookup for your re-roof in Seattle — we'll confirm which office issues the permit at that address and whether the lot is in a critical area or a flood hazard area, which Seattle's rule turns on.
- 2. Assemble submittals: the 2 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
Roofing permits in Seattle — FAQ
When does a re-roof need a permit in Seattle?
Seattle Residential Code R105.2 lists as work exempt from a building permit: "11. Roof recover." and "12. Roof replacement if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation, and the work is equivalent to or better than the existing structure. Permits are required for structural changes and replacement of sheathing of any size." Energy Code R503.1.1, Exceptions 2 and 3, still set the insulation requirement where the roof cavity is exposed.
How much does a roofing / re-roof permit cost in Seattle?
Where re-roofing needs an SDCI permit, a commercial re-roofing permit is half the SDCI base fee, $146. Other roof work that needs a permit, such as structural repair, is a value-based building permit, usually subject to field inspection: the permit fee is the Development Fee Index ($325 for the first $1,000, plus $1.60 for each $100 more to $25,000) and plan review 40% of it, minimum $116.75. 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).