Applicant Services Center
What Is It?
The Applicant Services Center (ASC) is the hub of our permitting services where we provide most permitting services virtually. Through the ASC, you can:
- Get free assistance via live chat for simple questions
- Get a free 20-minute video coaching session with a permit specialist or land use planner
- Get a free 15-minute video coaching session with a geotechnical engineer, mechanical engineer, or drainage reviewer
- Get, change, or verify an address
- Determine your project development site with a permit specialist
Your virtual assistance options:
- Chat directly with staff:
- Click the “Hi. Need help?” circle in the lower right to get started. Answer a few questions and we’ll connect you with the expert who can best help you.
- Available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Depending on the complexity of your topic, we may convert your live chat into a video coaching session to better answer your question.
- See the chat tips and instructions to get the most out of your chat session.
- Submit a question at any time. Staff will respond to your inquiries by email within 2 business days.
We serve chat and coaching requests on a first-come, first-served basis for each topic. Wait times can be up to an hour. If you can’t wait, close the chat and it will automatically be converted to an email request for assistance. We’ll respond to those within 2 business days.
Other ASC services available online:
- Submit your subject-to-field-inspection construction permit through the Seattle Services Portal. See How to Submit a Construction Subject-to-Field-Inspection Application for instructions.
- Attend a virtual construction pre-submittal conference, land use pre-submittal conference, or paid coaching session
- Pay your permit and rental registration fees through the Seattle Services Portal. You can also pay fees by mail. See How Do I Pay by Check for instructions.
Support Hours
While the Applicant Services Center is closed to in-person visits until further notice, you can contact staff directly via phone, email, or chat. If your application is already being reviewed, please contact your assigned reviewer directly. You can find your assigned reviewer by logging into the Seattle Services Portal.
Phone Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Chat Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Email:
Submit a question at any time and get a response within 2 business days.
Other Agency Permits & Approvals
For some projects, you will need to coordinate with other City and County agencies to get additional permits and approvals. Common agencies you may need to work with are:
- City Light – to install temporary power connections or permanent electrical service (which may include a vault requirement)
- Department of Neighborhoods – for work in historical districts or historical buildings, and if you are demolishing a building that is 50 years old or older
- Licensing – to open a new business in Seattle or to conduct business in Seattle (even if your office is not within the city)
- Seattle & King County Public Health Food Protection Program – for handling food in your restaurant, food cart, or café
- Seattle & King County Public Health Plumbing – to install interior plumbing systems for your kitchen, bathroom, or utility room
- Seattle Department of Fire – for special events, sprinklers, fire alarms, and emergency access to some types of properties
- Seattle Department of Transportation – for curb cuts and driveways, planting in the right-of-way, or paving streets and alleys
- Seattle Parks and Recreation – if you are building a development that abuts a public park, or if you are putting in an access across a park or boulevard
- Seattle Public Utilities – to confirm you have an adequate water supply, adding drainage and waste water connections, or putting in access to new garbage containers