Seattle residential permits, approved faster.
Born in Seattle. We know SDCI's requirements, reviewers and review cycles, so your ADU, addition, remodel or deck gets from first drawing to approved permit with less back and forth.
- Permit specialists who know local code and zoning
- In-house permit drawings at a fraction of traditional firm costs
- STFI (subject to field inspection) pros
- Free revisions until your permit is approved
Call today: (206) 312-2992
Evergreen Permits is a private residential permit service, not part of Seattle SDCI or any government agency.
Seattle's permit specialists
Evergreen Permits is a Seattle-based team of architectural designers and permit specialists. 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 Seattle 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?
SDCI reports that three in four single-family additions and alterations clear the City's review in 64 days or less, and the total you experience is about twice that. We shorten it by sending complete drawings the first time, and by using the faster STFI path whenever your project qualifies.
See review times →Will the City send my plans back?
Reviewers check zoning, critical areas, trees, drainage and energy code, and one missed item means another round. We check your lot for all of it before we draw, answer every correction for you, and revise for free until you're approved.
See what the City looks at →How much are permit fees?
City fees start around $650 for a deck and reach about $4,600 for an ADU, depending on your project's value and review type. We lay out the pieces before you commit, and our free calculator gives you a range in seconds.
Estimate your permit fees →How does Evergreen Permits make permitting easier?
We're a Seattle-based team that has taken 200+ residential projects through the permit process. Here is how we take the weight off your shoulders.
- We pick the fastest permit path for your scope, including STFI whenever your project qualifies.
- We check your lot first for critical areas, trees and shoreline rules, so nothing surprises you in review.
- We handle SDCI for you, from the Seattle Services Portal application to every correction, with free revisions until approval.
Consult
A free call to scope your project and flag what the City will require.
We prepare
Zoning, critical-area and tree checks, plus permit-ready drawings in-house.
Submit & manage
We apply to SDCI and respond to every correction on your behalf.
Get approved
Free revisions until your permit is issued, and support through inspections.
What can Evergreen Permits help you permit in Seattle?
From a kitchen remodel in Ballard to a backyard cottage in West Seattle, we prepare the drawings, submit through SDCI and manage every review round until you're approved.
What are the building permit requirements in Seattle?
What SDCI looks at on a residential permit, and the items that most often shape a project's scope, timeline and cost.
Zoning & setbacks
Setbacks, coverage and height vary by zone. We check your parcel before drawing.
Full review or STFI
Simple projects may qualify for STFI, a faster path. Not for shoreline, historic districts or exterior zoning review.
Critical areas
Steep slopes, wetlands and streams add review. We screen for them early.
Tree protection
Trees 6 inches or larger are regulated. Removal with new construction may need review.
ADUs & DADUs
Up to two per lot, no owner-occupancy rule, 1,000 sq ft cap. Rules changed in 2025, so we confirm for your lot.
Structural & energy
Additions must meet the City's residential and energy codes. We bring in engineers when needed.
Drainage
More roof or paving, or side sewer work, can trigger drainage rules.
Trade permits
We prepare the main building permit. Your trades use it for their electrical and plumbing permits.
Who handles building permits in Seattle, and how long does it take?
Who issues it
SDCI
Seattle Dept. of Construction & Inspections. Apply on the Seattle Services Portal. (206) 684-8600.
Visit SDCI →Review time
64 days
75th percentile in the City's hands for single-family additions and alterations. Goal: 30 days.
SDCI performance →Sources: SDCI. Figures reviewed October 2026.
Seattle projects we've taken to approval
A porch and deck rebuild
This STFI permit covered a porch and deck rebuild tied into the home's existing roofline. We prepared the full permit package, coordinated directly with the reviewer, and resolved every comment before it became a delay.
Our role: full permit package preparation and jurisdictional coordination, from submission to issuance.
A craftsman home, expanded without losing its character
This addition added living space while preserving the home's original porch and roofline. We managed structural coordination and every round of revisions with the reviewer.
Our role: permit drawings, structural coordination and revision management.
What do Seattle-area clients say about Evergreen Permits?
Real reviews behind our 5-star Google rating.
“I do not write Google reviews, but for Evergreen, I am making an exception. We'd been stuck for months with the City of Seattle, and had no idea how to move things forward. Evergreen stepped in and, after months of being stuck, we got permit approval within 3 weeks…”
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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Our team specializes in permit assistance in Seattle. 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 Seattle?
Permit fees are set by SDCI and based largely on your project's valuation. Smaller projects that qualify for STFI cost less than projects that need full plan review, so the best way to see your number is our free calculator.
Get a fee estimate for your project
Our free Permit Cost Calculator uses real SDCI fee data. Enter your ZIP code and project type to see a range in seconds.
Only SDCI sets your final fee, which depends on your valuation, scope and any additional permits. City fees are separate from professional fees for drawings and permit management. Source: SDCI 2026 fee changes.
Do I need a building permit in Seattle?
A permit is almost always required for decks more than 18 inches above grade, for ADUs and DADUs, and for any work that moves plumbing, removes walls or adds circuits. Cosmetic work, in-kind window replacement and sheds that meet every size, height and setback limit may not need one. Every property is different, so confirm yours before you build.
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.
Which Seattle neighborhoods do we serve?
Every neighborhood has its own zoning, lot patterns and site conditions. We handle all of them.
Seattle neighborhoods
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Wallingford
- Queen Anne
- Magnolia
- Green Lake
- Greenwood
- Phinney Ridge
- Ravenna
- Northgate
- Wedgwood
- Maple Leaf
- Beacon Hill
- Columbia City
- Rainier Valley
- West Seattle
- Georgetown
- Madison Park
- Montlake
Also serving nearby
- Shoreline
- Bellevue
- Kirkland
- Kenmore
- Edmonds
- Everett
- Lynnwood
- Mercer Island
- Mountlake Terrace
- Kent
- Tacoma
Seattle permit questions, answered
How long does a Seattle building permit take?
SDCI reports that for single-family additions and alterations, 75% of permits are completed in 64 calendar days or less in the City's hands, against a goal of 30 days. The total time you experience is roughly twice that, because correction and resubmittal time counts on your side. Simple projects that qualify for STFI move faster. Complete, coordinated drawings are the best way to avoid extra correction rounds, and that is what we focus on.
What is an STFI permit in Seattle?
STFI stands for Subject to Field Inspection. It's a faster SDCI permit path for simple projects, such as many single-family remodels and foundation repairs, where details are verified in the field instead of through full plan review. It isn't available for shoreline or historic-district work, or when exterior zoning or land use review is required. Our team has deep experience with STFI permits.
Can I build an ADU or DADU on my Seattle lot?
In most cases, yes. The City allows up to two ADUs per lot, doesn't require owner occupancy, and caps ADU size at 1,000 sq ft. Rules were updated in 2025 under state law, and your lot's zoning, trees and critical areas still matter. A feasibility study confirms what your property can support before you pay for full drawings.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Seattle?
Possibly. The City regulates trees 6 inches or more in diameter, with extra protection for exceptional trees and for sites undergoing development. Whether you need review depends on the tree, your zone and your project. We screen for trees as part of every Seattle permit.
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 Seattle neighborhood?
Yes, we serve every neighborhood as well as surrounding cities across King and Snohomish counties.
Ready to get your permit approved faster?
Tell us about your project and we'll tell you exactly what the City will require, what it will cost and how long it should take.