Building Permits in Seattle, Washington
1,543 recent building permits filed in Seattle. Updated daily from public records.
1,543 permits
Construct alterations and demolish portions to convert existing north mixed-use building to one-family dwelling per plan. [Change of use from general retail sales and services to single family residen...
Construct alterations at main level of existing one family dwelling Subject to Field Inspection (STFI).
Erie to remove existing roofing and properly dispose. Erie to furnish and installice and water shield where applicable.Erie to furnish and install fiberglass dimensional shingle.Erie to furnish and in...
Construct alterations for Limited Use Emergency Shelter at ground floor of existing commercial building [incudes exterior shipping containers for used for storage] per plan. See plans for requirements...
Construct alterations to existing mixed-use building at P2 basement level for pedestrian tunnel connection per plan. (Construction pedestrian tunnel in right of way to connect two mixed-use buildings...
Repair to existing rock bulkhead per plan.
Construct alterations to one-family dwelling subject to field inspection (STFI)
Construct addition and alterations to existing one family dwelling per plan.
Construct structural repairs for Condo (Maria Chalet HOA) at southwest area of ground floor of existing multifamily building per plan.
Tenant improvement to create small conference room in southwest corner 30th floor for an existing office building subject to field inspection (STFI)
Construct new pedestrian tunnel in SDOT right of way occupy per plan. (Construction pedestrian tunnel in right of way to connect two mixed-use buildings per plan. Review and process for 2 CN's under 7...
Replace existing garage on existing foundation no ground disturbance subject to field inspection.
Construct engineered Voluntary Seismic Retrofit to SFR STFI
Demolish existing one family dwelling and detached accessory building (shed) subject to field inspection.
Construct alterations to 3rd floor and roof of existing commercial building (AT&T telecommunications facility + antenna) per plan.
Construct blanket permit tenant improvements to Helly Hansen on the second floor (suite #274) of existing commercial building per plan.
Construct alterations to single family dwelling for site work per plan.
Construct substantial alterations to existing single family dwelling per plan.
Construct tenant improvement to the northeast portion of 2121 8th Ave office space subject to field inspection STFI.
Construct alterations to add bathroom to basement in SFR subject to field inspection STFI.
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.