Building Permits in Seattle, Washington
1,561 recent building permits filed in Seattle. Updated daily from public records.
1,561 permits
Construct NW one-family dwelling (Establish use a single-family residence per land use code. Construct (4) one-family dwellings per plan. Review & process for (4) records under 7102491-CN)
Allow two-attached detached accessory dwelling units per the land use code. Construct a two-family dwelling per plans maintaining an existing one-family dwelling per plans (no work)
Replace roof membrane at approximately 100 square feet.
Construct SE one-family dwelling (Establish use a single-family residence per land use code. Construct (4) one-family dwellings per plan. Review & process for (4) records under 7102491-CN)
Construct addition and substantial alterations to existing one-family dwelling per plan.
Construct SOUTH one-family dwelling (SFR 3) per plan. (Establish use as single-family residence per land use code. Construct (3) one-family dwellings per plan. Review and processing for (3) records un...
Demolish existing one-family dwelling and accessory structure per plan
Construct alterations to existing office building at levels 53-54 per plan.
Establish use as single-family residence per land use code. Construct 3 new single family residences. Existing SFR to remain. SFR deck to be demolished.
Construct substantial alterations for existing one family dwelling per plan.
Construct shell improvements for retail space on ground floor of existing commercial building [No change of occupancy; tenant improvement under separate record] subject to field inspection (STFI)
Construct tenant improvements for restaurant at ground level of existing commercial building subject to field inspection (STFI)
Construct alterations to repair foundation and stabilize existing foundation with helical piles per plan.
Construct addition and alterations to existing one family dwelling per plan.
Construct interior alterations to the 1st and 3rd floors (Charles Schwab) of existing commercial building per plan
Establish use as housing for two attached dwelling units per land use code. Construct a new two-family dwelling (SFR 2) per plan.
Demolish existing one family dwelling and detached accessory building (garage) per plan.
Construct alterations to replace windows in-kind at one-family dwelling subject to field inspection (STFI)
Adhere new roofing membrane directly over the existing roof system
Establish use as single family residence with attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU) and construct two family dwelling per plan
Seattle has 556 new building permits filed in the last 30 days, with 1,451 total permits currently on file. Renovation work dominates the market with 762 permits, followed by other work types (345 permits), demolition (120 permits), roofing (100 permits), and pool construction (49 permits). This volume shows steady demand across multiple trade types. The most active zip codes are 98103 with 115 permits, 98115 with 113 permits, and 98117 with 99 permits. Zip codes 98119 and 98125 round out the top five with 80 and 78 permits respectively. These neighborhoods represent the best concentration of active projects right now. For contractors bidding in Seattle, the average permit value is $414,432, which gives you a realistic sense of project scope. Renovation jobs make up more than half the market, but the roofing category with 100 permits offers solid opportunity for specialists. Tracking permits in your target zip codes puts you ahead of competitors who wait for word-of-mouth. Permit data updates daily from Seattle public records. Contractors who monitor filings within 24 hours gain a real advantage contacting property owners and general contractors before jobs get fully allocated. Waiting a week or two to find out about permits means the GC already has their subs lined up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find new construction leads in Seattle?
Monitor new permit filings daily in your target zip codes. Seattle files roughly 556 new permits every 30 days, so checking permits filed in the last 24-48 hours gives you early contact with property owners and general contractors. Subscribe to permit alerts for neighborhoods where you work. The sooner you reach out after filing, the better your chance of getting on the bid list before the contractor's usual subs are called.
What are the most common permit types in Seattle?
Renovation leads the market with 762 permits on file, making it the largest opportunity category. Other work types account for 345 permits, demolition for 120, roofing for 100, and pool construction for 49 permits. Roofers have solid volume at 100 permits. If you do general contracting, renovation work represents the bulk of available projects. Specialists should focus on their category but also check the 'other' classification, which may include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or structural work.
Which zip codes in Seattle have the most building permits?
The top five zip codes by permit count are: 98103 (115 permits), 98115 (113 permits), 98117 (99 permits), 98119 (80 permits), and 98125 (78 permits). These neighborhoods represent over 30 percent of all active permits in Seattle. If you can service these areas efficiently, you'll have consistent lead flow. Focusing your bid strategy on one or two zip codes lets you build relationships with local property owners and reduce travel time between jobs.
What is the average building permit value in Seattle?
The average permit value in Seattle is $414,432. This means most projects are substantial enough to justify careful bidding and quality work. You're not dealing with small repair jobs here. Use this number when estimating time and resources. Some permits will be smaller and some larger, but plan your crew capacity around mid-sized projects in the $300k to $500k range.
How often is Seattle permit data updated?
Seattle building permit data updates daily from public records. This means new permits are added and project status changes are reflected within 24 hours of filing. Setting up daily alerts ensures you see new filings before other contractors. Checking once a week means you're already behind contractors who monitor daily. For competitive bidding, fresh data is your advantage.