King County residential permits, approved faster.
We know how the County's Permitting Division reviews residential projects on unincorporated land, including the septic, critical area and rural zoning checks that come with larger lots, so your remodel, addition or ADU gets to approval with less back and forth.
- Permit specialists who know local code and zoning
- We prepare and submit your application through the County's permit portal
- In-house permit drawings at a fraction of traditional firm costs
- Free revisions until your permit is approved
Call today: (206) 312-2992
Evergreen Permits is a private residential permit service, not part of King County or any government agency.
King County's permit specialists
Evergreen Permits is a team of architectural designers and permit specialists helping homeowners, contractors and architects across King County. We do one thing exceptionally well: permits. No upsells, no construction services, just permits done right.
200+
Projects completed
5.0
Star Google rating
10+
Years experience
99%
Approval success rate
What do King County homeowners worry about most when getting a permit?
We hear the same three questions on almost every project. Here are straight answers.
How long will this take?
After a completeness check of up to 28 days, the County's 2025 rules target 65 days for most permit reviews, with longer limits when public notice or a hearing is needed. Septic and critical area items can add steps, so we line them up before you file.
See review times →Will the County send my plans back?
Incomplete applications get sent back first, often because of missing septic approval, site information or critical area items. We check your parcel's maps and zoning, file a complete package, answer every comment and revise for free until you're approved.
See what the County looks at →How much are permit fees?
King County charges flat fees by project type rather than a percentage of your project's value. Most 2026 fees rose about 14%, and most applications pay a $126 screening fee at submission. We walk you through what applies to you.
Estimate your permit fees →How does Evergreen Permits make permitting easier?
We've permitted projects across unincorporated King County, from interior remodels to rural land feasibility studies. Here is how we take the weight off your shoulders.
- We confirm your jurisdiction and zoning first, so you know whether the County or a city reviews your project and what your lot allows.
- We line up septic and critical area items before you file, so your application is complete the first time.
- We answer every comment and revise for free until your permit is approved.
Consult
A free call to scope your project and flag what the County will require.
We prepare
Jurisdiction, zoning and critical area checks, plus permit-ready drawings in-house.
Submit & manage
We submit through MyBuildingPermit.com and respond to every review comment.
Get approved
Free revisions until your permit is issued, and support through inspections.
What can Evergreen Permits help you permit in King County?
From a kitchen remodel to a backyard cottage, we prepare the drawings, submit through the County's portal and manage every review round until you're approved.
What are the building permit requirements in King County?
What the County looks at on a residential permit in unincorporated areas, and the items that most often shape a project's scope, timeline and cost.
Check your jurisdiction
The County permits only unincorporated land. If your parcel is inside a city, you apply to that city instead, so we confirm this first.
Septic approval first
If your property has a septic system, Public Health approval comes before you apply. Without it, the application isn't considered complete.
Critical areas & setbacks
Critical areas, flood zones, steep slopes, shorelines, wetlands, setbacks and impervious coverage limits can all add review, even to work that is normally exempt.
Rural zoning
In rural zones such as RA-5, density and lot size rules decide what you can add, including whether a detached ADU is allowed on your lot.
ADUs
Two ADUs per lot in the urban growth area, one in rural zones. They are typically capped at 1,000 sq ft heated and 1,000 sq ft unheated, need no extra parking, and need a notice on title recorded first.
Historic properties
Staff may flag an older property at intake. You then need a Cultural Resources Determination before the application counts as complete.
Digital submittal
You apply through MyBuildingPermit.com, and then upload plans to the County's ProjectDox plan review system once staff accept the application.
Trade permits
We prepare the main building permit. Electrical permits come from the state Department of Labor & Industries, and plumbing, gas piping and septic come from Seattle-King County Public Health.
Who handles building permits in unincorporated King County, and how long does it take?
Who issues it
Permitting Division
King County Department of Local Services, 919 SW Grady Way, Suite 300, Renton. Apply on MyBuildingPermit.com. Phone: 206-296-6600.
Permit customer services →Review time
Up to 65 days
A completeness check comes first, within 28 days. The County targets 65 days for most reviews, and longer when notice or a hearing is needed.
Review timelines →Watch for
Septic & critical areas
Septic systems need Public Health approval before you apply, and mapped critical areas can add review.
What the County looks at →County fees
Flat fees
Set by project type, plus a $126 application screening fee on most applications.
Cost breakdown →Sources: King County Department of Local Services, Permitting Division. Review times are the County's targets and can vary with the project and how quickly corrections are returned. Figures reviewed October 2026.
King County projects we've taken to approval
Interior remodel
Reworking an upper-floor master suite
This remodel reconfigured the whole upper floor: walls, posts and closets removed to open the master suite, a new master bath and closet layout, a laundry added in the closet and a new window in the office shear wall. We drew the plans and prepared the permit for the County's review.
Our role: permit drawings, online submittal and responses to review comments. Photo: the home's exterior.
Feasibility study
Finding out what a rural lot of about seven acres can hold
The owner wanted to know whether they could add about five more homes and possibly a small commercial center. We researched the zoning, mapped the existing structures and checked lot coverage and density against County code before any design money was spent. In this rural zone the base density is one home per five acres, which allows one dwelling unit on the property.
Our role: code research, site data and a written feasibility sheet. Photo: aerial view of the area.
What do clients say about Evergreen Permits?
Real reviews behind our 5-star Google rating.
“I hired Evergreen Permits to help with the permitting process for my home renovation. They handled the paperwork and guided me through the city requirements, which made the whole process much easier…”
Read full review on Google →“Sara was our main point of contact and was absolutely amazing throughout the entire process. She guided us through multiple permit applications across various projects, always staying accessible and proactive in her communication…”
Read full review on Google →“I am a general contractor and we work with Evergreen on all of our projects. They take great care of our clients, do an excellent job and have very clear communication. We recommend them to everyone!”
Read full review on Google →Why do King County homeowners choose Evergreen Permits?
We built Evergreen Permits around a simple idea: residential permitting should be easier to understand and more affordable to navigate. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Permit specialists in King County
Our team specializes in permit assistance in King County. A project coordinator manages everything for you, so you do not have to worry about a thing.
Free revisions until approval
We support you through every correction and resubmittal, and revisions are free until your permit is approved.
Permits are all we do
No construction services and no upsells. Our only job is getting your permit approved.
Drawings done in-house
Permit-ready drawings and site plans from our own team, at a fraction of the cost of traditional firms.
Simple for you
We guide you through scanning your home with a simple app, then verify every detail remotely, so there is no site visit to schedule.
A track record you can check
200+ projects, 10+ years of experience, a 99% approval success rate and a 5.0 Google rating.
Where are you in your project?
Pick the step that fits. You will leave each one with a clearer picture of what to expect.
Just exploring
Check whether you need a permit
Answer a few questions about your project and see what the City will likely require.
Do I Need a Permit?Planning a budget
Get a fee range in seconds
Enter your ZIP code and project type to see a planning range for your city permit fees.
Try the Permit Cost CalculatorReady to move
Talk to a permit specialist
It is a free consultation. You will leave with an honest picture of what permitting will involve before you commit to anything.
Book a Free ConsultationOr call (206) 312-2992
How much does a building permit cost in King County?
The County charges flat fees by project type rather than a percentage of your project's value. Most fees rose about 14% in 2026, and site, critical area and septic reviews can add their own fees.
Get a fee estimate for your project
Our free Permit Cost Calculator gives you a planning range in seconds. Enter your ZIP code and project type.
Fee rules are as published in King County's 2026 fee guides, adopted under Ordinance 20021. Most applications also pay a $126 application screening fee at submission. Only the County sets your final fee, which depends on your project type, scope and any additional reviews. County fees are separate from professional fees for drawings and permit management. Source: King County permit fees.
Do I need a building permit in King County?
Sheds up to 200 sq ft, fences up to 6 feet, most retaining walls up to 4 feet, uncovered decks up to 30 inches above ground, re-roofing and re-siding a house, interior finishes, and window and door replacement don't need a permit. Critical areas, flood zones, steep slopes, shorelines and setback areas can change that. See the County's permit guide.
Not sure if your project needs a permit?
Answer a few questions and our free tool will tell you what to expect before you commit to anything.
Inside a city? Start with your city page
- Seattle
- Bellevue
- Kirkland
- Sammamish
- Mercer Island
- Renton
- Woodinville
- Maple Valley
King County permit questions, answered
How long does a King County building permit take?
Within 28 days of submitting, the County tells you whether your application is complete. Once fees are paid and the application is accepted, the County's rules that took effect in 2025 target 65 days for most reviews, and allow longer when public notice or a hearing is needed. Septic approvals, historic property determinations and slow responses to corrections can all stretch the timeline. We send a complete package the first time and handle every correction.
Can I build an ADU or DADU in unincorporated King County?
Often, yes. In the urban growth area the County allows up to two ADUs per lot, attached, detached or a mix. In rural zones it is one ADU per lot, and a detached one is allowed only if the lot meets the zone's minimum size. ADUs are typically capped at 1,000 sq ft of heated floor area, need no additional parking, and need a notice recorded on the title before the permit is approved. Septic or sewer approval may also apply. A feasibility study confirms what your property can support before you pay for full drawings.
Do I need septic approval before I apply?
If your property is on a septic system, yes. The County asks you to get Public Health approval first, and without it your application won't be considered complete. We check your septic records early so this doesn't delay your submittal.
How do I know if my property is in King County or a city?
The County points applicants to its iMap and parcel viewer tools to check jurisdiction and zoning. If your parcel is inside a city, the city issues your permit instead. We check this before we draw anything, so you apply in the right place.
Why use a permit service instead of my contractor or doing it myself?
Permits are the only thing we do, so we know what the City asks for and how to answer corrections. Our team specializes in permits, a project coordinator manages everything for you, our drawings are done in-house at a fraction of traditional firm cost, and revisions are free until approval. You stay in control, and your contractor can build from the approved permit.
Do you provide the drawings, or just the paperwork?
Both. Our in-house team produces permit drawings and site plans when your project needs them, and manages the full submission and approval process, so you don't need to coordinate with a separate draftsperson.
Do you work in my part of King County?
Yes, we serve unincorporated areas across the county as well as the cities within it.
Ready to get your permit approved faster?
Tell us about your project and we'll tell you exactly what the County will require, what it will cost and how the review should go.