How Much Will Your Permit Cost?

The cost of your permit is based on several factors:

• The size and complexity of your project
• The value of the work you are doing
• Additional permits required for your project
• How long it takes us to review your application and plans
• Inspection fees
• Technology fees

Tools for Estimating Fees

Note: If your project qualifies as a Subject-to-Field-Inspection permit, you will only need to pay 40% of the plan review fee calculated in the Fee Estimator spreadsheet.

2024 Fee Code

• 2024 Fee Subtitle
• 2024 Fee Estimator
• 2024 Fee Changes Summary
• 2024 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• 2024 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• Director's Rule 1-2024, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2021, Implementation of Fee Ordinance
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

2023 Fee Code

• 2023 Fee Subtitle
• 2023 Fee Estimator
• 2023 Fee Changes Summary
• 2023 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• 2023 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• Director's Rule 1-2023, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2021, Implementation of Fee Ordinance
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

2022 Fee Code

• 2022 Fee Subtitle
• 2022 Fee Estimator
• 2022 Fee Changes Summary
• 2022 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• 2022 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• Director's Rule 1-2022, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2021, Implementation of Fee Ordinance
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

Tools for Estimating  2021 Fees

• 2021 Fee Subtitle
• 2021 Fee Estimator
• 2021 Fee Summary: A summary of what has changed and a chart comparing 2020 / 2021 fees
• 2021 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• 2021 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• Director's Rule 1-2021, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2021, Implementation of Fee Ordinance
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

Tools for Estimating 2020 Fees

• 2020 Fee Subtitle
• 2020 Fee Estimator
• 2020 Fee Summary: A summary of what has changed and a chart comparing 2019 / 2020 fees
• 2020 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• 2020 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• Director's Rule 1-2020, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2020, Implementation of Fee Ordinance
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

Tools for Estimating 2019 Fees

• 2019 Fee Subtitle 
• 2019 Fee Estimator
• 2019 Fee Summary: A summary of what has changed and a chart comparing 2018 / 2019 fees
• 2019 Land Use Application Fee Requirements
• 2019 Electrical Plan Review Fees
• Director's Rule 1-2019, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data
• Director's Rule 2-2019, Implementation of Fee Subtitle
• Director's Rule 3-2011, Refund of Development Fees

Send us a question if you need help estimating your permit fees. Be sure to provide detailed information for the best estimate of your permitting costs. 

When Are My Fees Due?

When you need to pay fees depends on the type of permit.

Building Permits

This category includes all types of construction, demolition, mechanical, and grading permits. This does not apply to tenant improvement (blanket) or standard plan permit.

• If your permit requires plan review. You must pay 75 percent of the total plan review and permit fees when your permit application is accepted. We calculate your final fees, including hourly fees, after we complete our reviews. You must pay all final fees before we can issue your permit.
• If your permit qualifies as a subject-to-field inspection. We issue some simple building permits with minimal review within 48 hours of when you submit your application. All plan review and permit fees are due when we issue the permit.
• If your permit requires inspections. Our final fees include building and site inspection costs, but not special inspection fees. Projects with special inspections have additional chargers.

Land Use Permits

• You must pay the minimum fee when your application is accepted. Minimum fees differ based on your land use permit type; see Land Use Application Requirements.
• We invoice regularly for hourly review fees that exceed the minimum fee; invoices are due when you receive them.
• We calculate final fees after we complete our reviews. You must pay all final fees before we can issue your permit.

Equipment Permits

This category includes boiler, electrical, elevator, refrigeration, and side sewer permits. You can apply for these permits through the Seattle Services Portal without an appointment. All plan review and permit fees are due when we issue the permit.