Demolition permits in Seattle, WA
A Seattle demolition permit covers full and partial structure demolition, including interior soft-strip. Save your license, insurance and bond details once, then produce the completed application — plus the attachments this jurisdiction expects — in under a minute.
Who pulls the demolition permit in Seattle
The contractor of record pulls the permit. Where Washington allows it, an owner-builder can pull it directly by signing the owner-builder affidavit — the app swaps the contractor block for that disclosure automatically.
Where Seattle demolition permits are reviewed
Files with
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)
Online portal: Seattle Services Portal
Washington State contractor registration with L&I is required.
Seattle layers its own energy and unreinforced-masonry seismic requirements on top of the state code.
Why Seattle demolition applications get kicked back
The most common cause is utility disconnect confirmations and the asbestos survey not attached at application. Because the application is generated from your saved shop profile and the job scope, that field is populated before it ever reaches the counter.
What a Seattle demolition permit costs
A planning range for this trade — adjust the contract value to match the job.
Use the full contract amount — labor and materials. Under-declaring is the fastest way to a stop-work order.
Estimated Seattle permit cost
$176 – $2,919
Modelled range, not a quote from the Seattle building department.
- Building permit feeCalculated from a declared job value of $12,000.$176 – $419
- Bond / depositRefundable site-restoration deposits are common and are not a fee you lose.$0 – $2,500
Washington adds a state building code council fee per permit.
Method: valuation-based lines follow the stepped ICC/UBC Table 1-A progression that most residential schedules are still derived from, widened to reflect how much neighboring jurisdictions differ. Confirm the exact figure with the office listed on this page before you put it in a bid.
Inspection sequence
- Pre-demolition utility verification
- Final site / grade
Never cover work ahead of the inspection that covers it — a re-open is the most expensive avoidable cost on a demolition job.
What each Seattle inspector checks, step by step →Get the Seattle demolition permit checklist
One page covering the forms, attachments and inspection sequence Seattle demolition crews get held up on.
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Other trades in Seattle
General guidance for Seattle demolition contractors, not legal advice. Confirm requirements and fees with the authority having jurisdiction.