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).
Free lookup, no account needed — your lot polygon, zoning, setbacks and overlays, cited to City of Seattle's source.
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.
Who can do this work in City of Seattle?
Kolmo Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor — KOLMOL*753JS, active through April 10, 2027, bonded and insured — working throughout City of Seattle and King County. Kolmo prepares the drawings and submittals, files the rooftop solar / PV 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 City of Seattle rooftop solar / PV quote.
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 | $709 |
| Plan review | $709 |
| Technology surcharge | $70.90 |
| WA state surcharge | $6.50 |
| Estimated total | $1,495.40 |
SMC 22.900D.010 Table D-1 (2026 Fee Subtitle, eff. 2026-01-01): $1,001 to $25,000: $325 for the first $1,000 plus $1.60 per additional $100 or fraction. This is the Development Fee Index; the permit fee is 100% of it and plan review is 100% (full review) or 40% (STFI) — see ANCILLARY_FEES + fee-calculator. Computed from City of 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 City of Seattle rooftop solar / PV — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (site plan, scope-of-work, photos).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) ↗
- 4. Track review. Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (see fee schedule) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Or have Kolmo do it
We pull rooftop solar / PV permits in City of Seattle every month. We prepare the drawings and submittals, file with Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI), handle reviewer comments, and build the project.
Licensed WA general contractor KOLMOL*753JS · bonded & insured
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 $1,495.40 (building fee $709 + plan review $709 + surcharges) from City of Seattle's adopted fee schedule. Land use, fire and engineering review, intake, impact and utility fees, where they apply, are charged separately.