Permit Center

Construction permits

For most building, renovation, or installation projects. Visit the Construction Permit Portal.

Common projects: decks, fences, garages, additions, remodels, new homes, electrical, plumbing, and signs.

Land use permits

Required when your project affects how land is used or divided, or involves sensitive areas. Often needed alongside a construction permit. Visit the Land Use Permit Portal.

Common projects: subdividing land, building near wetlands or shorelines, design review, and zoning variances.

Grading permits

For projects involving significant earthwork. Private property work uses a Construction Permit; work in public areas uses a Right-of-Way Permit, also applied for through the Construction Permit portal. See the Grading Checklist.

Tree permits

A tree permit is required to remove or trim trees, even without an associated construction project. Choose the checklist that fits your situation:

• Residential Tree Permit
• Commercial Tree Permit
• Tree Permit — Critical Area & Shoreline (work near wetlands, streams, or shorelines) — must be submitted as a standalone land use application; cannot be combined with a building permit

Residential and commercial tree permits can be submitted as part of an active building permit application. Use the Tree Permit Application and include it with your building permit submittal rather than applying separately. Tree permit review fees will be added to your building permit.

Special event permits

For temporary events outside normal business operations or using public streets. See the Special Events permit page.

Common projects: festivals, block parties, outdoor sales, amplified music, and organized runs or walks.

Pre-application meetings give the City’s Development Review Team a chance to review your project before you apply — covering permit requirements, fees, timelines, and applicable regulations. Check if your permit type requires one.

How to schedule

• Meetings are held Tuesdays at 1:30 and 2:30 PM on a first-come, first-served basis
• Submit your application and documents at least 11 days in advance (by Friday at 4:00 PM)
• The fee must be paid before scheduling

Apply via the Land Use Permits portal and include a completed Pre-application Meeting Checklist.

1. Log in to the online portal — step-by-step submittal instructions
2. Choose your permit type and subtype
3. Attach required documents using the checklists on the Construction or Land Use portal pages
4. Pay the fee and submit

Some applications require additional forms:

• Affidavit in Lieu of Contractor Registration — for construction completed by a homeowner
• Owner Affidavit and Hold Harmless — required for land use applications

• Revision-Deferred Submittal Form — for permit revisions
• Correction-Incomplete Submittal Form — for responding to permit corrections

How to schedule

Building, Fire, and Public Works: Schedule online by 5:00 PM for next-day availability.
Planning: Requires at least 3 business days’ notice.

Schedule your inspection here →

• Step-by-step instructions
• Off-hours inspection request form

Permit expirations and extensions

Permits may expire if work is not started or required inspections are not scheduled within required timeframes. See the expirations and extensions document for details.

Contact an inspector (6:30–7:30 AM only)

After 7:30 AM, inspectors are in the field with limited phone/email access.

Building inspections

• Mon–Thu: Bill Centen — (206) 431-3678
• Fri: Pete Frederickson — (206) 561-2607

Electrical inspections

• Mon–Fri: Jim Benner — (206) 571-1266

Public Works/Engineering inspections

• Mon–Thu: Eric Pritchard — (206) 702-5769
• Tue–Fri: Scott Moore — (206) 431-2443

To view property information, see the Property Research page.

To see permits currently under review or recently issued, see the Development Review map.

For project notices, see the Public Notice and Participation page.

To check for active or planned City construction near your site, see the Public Works Capital Improvement Projects dashboard — useful for coordinating ROW and utility work with City project timelines.

Annual Permit Performance Report 2025