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

Everything you need to know about pulling a rooftop solar / PV 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).

City of Seattle: we don't yet have an authoritative rooftop solar / PV rule on file for this city. Until we verify, fall back to Washington-state baseline code (IRC/IBC/WSEC) and the county building department. Call Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) for project-specific guidance.

Solar permit fee estimate in City of Seattle

Worked example for a $25,000 rooftop solar / PV project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.

Building permit fee$508.63
Plan review$330.61
Technology surcharge$25.43
WA state surcharge$4.5
Estimated total$869.17

$2,001 to $25,000: $69.25 + $14 per $1,000 over $2,000 (Seattle SDCI applies ~1.30× multiplier vs. UBC baseline; verify against current SDCI Fee Subtitle for exact figures) 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 rooftop solar / PV — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
  2. 2. Assemble submittals (site plan, scope-of-work, photos).
  3. 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)
  4. 4. Track review (typical: 4–10 weeks). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
  5. 5. Pay issuance fees (see fee schedule) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.

Solar permits in City of Seattle — FAQ

How much does a rooftop solar / PV permit cost in City of Seattle?

For a $25,000 rooftop solar / PV project, the estimated City of Seattle permit fee is about $869.17 — building fee $508.63 + plan review $330.61 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.

City of Seattle resourcesPermit portal ↗Fee schedule ↗