Deck permits in City of Shoreline: fees, timeline & requirements (2026)
Everything you need to know about pulling a deck permit in City of Shoreline, Washington — when one is required, what it costs, how long review takes, what documents are required, and which inspections you can expect. Cited to Shoreline uses its own permit center..
When does a deck need a permit in City of Shoreline?
A construction permit is not needed for decks 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement; above 30 inches a building permit is required. Footing inspections must be made after forms are set and steel placed but before pouring concrete.
From City of Shoreline's own page
“platforms, decks and walks 30 inches high or less above grade or not over basement”Source ↗verified 2026-05-17
Required submittals
- Permit Application and Critical Area Worksheet (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Applications)
- Submittal Fee per City fee schedule (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Submittal Fee)
- Building Coverage and Hardscape Calculation Worksheet (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents)
- Civil Engineering Plans — must meet frontage requirements in SMC 20.70.320 (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Civil Engineering Plans)
- Construction Documents per Construction Documents handout (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Construction Documents)
- WA State Energy Code Compliance Forms, 2021 Washington State (completed); WSEC energy credits selected must be incorporated into floor plans (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > WA State Energy Code Compliance Forms)
- Site Plan(s) per Site Plan handout (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Site Plan(s))
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) — Short Form for projects <5,000 sqft new/replaced hard surface AND <7,000 sqft disturbance; Ecology template for larger projects (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > SWPPP)
- Tree Worksheet (Residential Additions checklist — Required Documents > Tree Worksheet)
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Worksheet — required for projects creating a new ADU or changing an existing ADU; worksheet lists additional submittal items (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > ADU Worksheet)
- Arborist Report — required if work is proposed within the critical root zone of any trees to remain on site; ISA-certified arborist must assess impacts; tree protection measures must be shown on plans (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Arborist Report)
- Critical Areas Report(s) — required for projects in or near environmentally critical areas (steep slopes, streams, wetlands); preapplication meeting required prior to submittal unless waived by a planner (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Critical Areas Report(s))
- Declaration of Covenant – Stormwater Facilities — required for any project that proposes on-site stormwater facilities; refer to EDM Chapter 4.9 (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Declaration of Covenant)
- Geotechnical or Soils Report — required for projects with fill/excavation ≥500 cu yd, sites with slopes ≥15%, or certain storm drainage designs (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Geotechnical or Soils Report)
- Heating System Sizing Form — required for new residential construction and additions where total new area exceeds 750 sqft, measured cumulatively (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Heating System Sizing Form)
- Surface Water Report — required for projects proposing ≥2,000 sqft of new/replaced hard surfaces; must follow EDM Appendix C (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Surface Water Report)
- Waste Diversion Plan and Salvage Assessment — required for construction/alterations exceeding 1,000 sqft gross floor area, or when demolition work is proposed; Waste Diversion Report due before final inspection (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Waste Diversion)
- Water Availability Certificate — required when total new area exceeds 500 sqft OR new (not replacement) plumbing fixtures are proposed AND property is served by North City Water District (Residential Additions checklist — Additional Documents > Water Availability Certificate)
Inspection sequence
- footing
- framing
- final
Contractor specialties needed
general
Notes & caveats
Decks fall under the Residential Additions checklist per the handout scope: "new or replacement decks, porches, patio coverings and awnings." Site plan must show setbacks per SMC 20.50 zoning. Critical-area triggers require a Critical Areas Report. Ledger connection, footing detail, and guard/handrail detail required per 2021 IRC R507/R312.
Deck permit fee estimate in City of Shoreline
Worked example for a $18,000 deck project (building permit). Your actual fee scales with project valuation.
| Building permit fee | $293.25 |
| Plan review | $190.61 |
| WA state surcharge | $4.5 |
| Estimated total | $488.36 |
Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account). Computed from the City of Shoreline fee bracket schedule · source ↗. Impact/utility fees may apply separately.
How to apply
- 1. Confirm your parcel's zoning & overlays. Run an address lookup for your City of Shoreline deck — we'll pull your specific lot polygon, zoning, setbacks, and any shoreline/ECA/historic overlays.
- 2. Assemble submittals (18).
- 3. Submit through the city portal: Shoreline uses its own permit center. ↗
- 4. Track review (typical: —). Respond to reviewer comments promptly.
- 5. Pay issuance fees (Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (https://www.shorelinewa.gov/government/departments/planning-community-development/permit-center-remote-services/register-for-a-professional-etrakit-account).) and pick up the permit. Inspection card travels with the job.
Deck permits in City of Shoreline — FAQ
When does a deck need a permit in City of Shoreline?
A construction permit is not needed for decks 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement; above 30 inches a building permit is required. Footing inspections must be made after forms are set and steel placed but before pouring concrete.
How much does a deck permit cost in City of Shoreline?
For a $18,000 deck project, the estimated City of Shoreline permit fee is about $488.36 — building fee $293.25 + plan review $190.61 + surcharges. Fees scale with project valuation per the city schedule.