Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) manages most building and land-use permitting within the city. Construction permits, Master Use Permits, tree-removal applications, inspections, and many related requests are handled through the Seattle Services Portal. Before applying, property owners can research zoning, permit history, and environmentally critical areas to identify site-specific requirements.
Seattle’s Land Use Code regulates how property can be developed and used. Some zoning standards are reviewed directly with a construction permit, while projects involving conditional uses, variances, rezones, subdivisions, Design Review, environmental review, or other discretionary decisions can require a separate Master Use Permit. When both land-use and building approvals are required, the land-use permit must generally be issued before the related building permit can be issued.
Seattle also has substantial tree and environmental protections. Tree removal associated with development is typically reviewed with the construction project, while qualifying removals outside development use a separate Tree Removal and Vegetation Restoration application. Properties near Seattle’s major water bodies can face another layer of regulation: development within the shoreline district may require a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit or confirmation that the work qualifies for an exemption.
Historic properties follow a separate preservation process through the Department of Neighborhoods. Changes to designated City Landmarks or properties within Seattle’s historic districts can require a Certificate of Approval, even for some work that does not otherwise need an SDCI permit. Applicants can start with the SDCI permit process and use the Seattle Services Portal to identify applicable reviews.