Roofing permits in City of Seattle: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)

Everything you need to know about pulling a roofing / re-roof permit in City of 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).

Permit required?
Yes — see threshold below
Permit fee
Re-Roof Permit — flat fee. See 2026 SDCI Fee Subtitle.
Review timeline
· OTC eligible

When does a roofing / re-roof need a permit in City of Seattle?

Seattle requires re-roof permit for residential (R-3) — even straight tear-off + replace. Some structural-decking-only or repair work may be exempt under SDCI client assistance memo.

Required submittals

  • scope description
  • manufacturer underlayment + flashing details

Inspection sequence

  1. mid-roof / underlayment
  2. final

Contractor specialties needed

general

Notes & caveats

Underlayment, ice/water shield at eaves + valleys (IRC R905.1.2). WSEC if removing decking and exposing insulation.

Roofing permit fee estimate in City of Seattle

Worked example for a $16,000 roofing / re-roof project (reroof permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Building permit fee$300
Plan review$195
Technology surcharge$15
WA state surcharge$4.5
Estimated total$514.5

Larger or complex re-roof: ~$300 flat. Computed from the City of Seattle fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.

How to apply

  1. 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Seattle roofing / re-roof — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (2).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)
  4. 4. Track review (typical: ). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (Re-Roof Permit — flat fee. See 2026 SDCI Fee Subtitle.) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Roofing permits in City of Seattle — FAQ

When does a roofing / re-roof need a permit in City of Seattle?

Seattle requires re-roof permit for residential (R-3) — even straight tear-off + replace. Some structural-decking-only or repair work may be exempt under SDCI client assistance memo.

How much does a roofing / re-roof permit cost in City of Seattle?

For a $16,000 roofing / re-roof project, the estimated City of Seattle permit fee is about $514.5 — building fee $300 + plan review $195 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

City of Seattle resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗