Buildings and property
Popular pages
Green and sustainable building
Resources for developers, builders, architects, and homeowners interested to build toward a sustainable King County.
Historic preservation
Learn about the Historic Preservation Program and its efforts to preserve the history of King County.
Property research and maps
Learn more about landslide mapping and property specific development conditions, or access reference maps for planning support.
Property tax assessments
Learn more about how we assess and tax residential property.
Property tax payments
After King County issues a building permit, inspections are required at different stages of the project.
Additional links
Transfer of Development Rights Exchange
The Transfer of Development Rights Exchange facilitates the trading of Transferable Development Rights. This page describes how it works and how to register on the Exchange.
About the Transfer of Development Rights Program’s Property Map
How to use the TDR Property Map
Alpental / Skykomish - Area 90
View and download PDF reports from the assessor of Area 90's current valuation. Also, find important links for the area.
Area reports - King County Assessor
We provide area reports going back six years. These reports are a resource for property tax information across King County for a selected year.
Auction surplus funds
Learn about excess money from foreclosure auctions, and how to access this information
Bel-Red Subarea
City of Bellevue
Building and fire inspections
Permitting building and fire inspectors inspect residential and commercial building projects that are under construction in unincorporated King County for compliance with King County Building Codes.
Code Interpretations
Code interpretation is a formal statement regarding the meaning or requirements of a particular provision in the King County Development Regulations. K.C.C.2.100
Commercial property taxes
Learn more about how we assess and tax commercial property.
Facilities Management Division
Exceptional services and sustainable environments for a changing world
File or respond to a complaint with Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement Section investigates complaints regarding violations of King County Codes (KCC) related to zoning, building, property maintenance, shorelines and critical areas in unincorporated King County as outlined in KCC Title 23.
Foreclosure process and resources
Learn more about the foreclosure process for King County properties, and what resources are available to help
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about county real estate sales, including tax title properties
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to frequently asked questions about property taxes in King County
Gambling taxes
Learn who is subject to gambling taxes, what activities are subject to gambling taxes, get information about where and how to send payments, and obtain the correct forms
Glossary of TDR Terms
Definition of TDR terminology.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Subarea Plan
King County is in the early planning stage for this subarea plan, which will focus on rural areas outside of cities and towns.
Improvement District foreclosures
Learn more about Utility Local Improvement District (ULID) and Local Improvement District (LID) foreclosure auctions in King County
Inspections scheduling
When you use MyBuildingPermit or the King County Permitting Portal to schedule an inspection, you will search for your record, then select the inspection by name. When you schedule inspections by phone (IVR) or text (SelecTEXT), you will enter your record number, and then the inspection code associated with the inspection you are scheduling.
Issaquah
City of Issaquah
King County Code Chapter 21A.37
Transfer of Development Rights
King County Transfer of Development Rights Bank
Overview of the King County TDR Bank.
Land use inspections
If your project involves road or drainage site work, the information below outlines the applicant's expectations, responsibilities, and obligation to contact Permitting before initiating the work.
Landslide mapping
Information on current landslide and steep slope mapping, information, and resources.
Manhattan Village Subarea
City of Normandy Park
Manifest Error Corrections
Petition for Property Tax Refund Property owners may qualify for a refund due to a correction of a manifest error in description of the property relied on or used to estimate value for property assessment purposes. An example of a manifest error in description of a property could be the incorrect square footage of your house or lot. If you think you qualify, you may download the form here (.PDF) and return with documentation or evidence to support your claim. Refunds may be made for up to 6 years.
North Highline Subarea Plan
The North Highline Subarea Plan was adopted by the King County Council in December 2022.
Payment plans
Information about how to pay delinquent property taxes and set up payment plans
Permit records research
Instructions on how to research building and land use permits which have been finalized, closed or are still active in unincorporated King County can be found below. Code Enforcement case files may also be made available after they have been reviewed by staff for attorney/client privilege or confidentiality. For records on property located within city limits, you must contact the city directly. Permitting Records Center does maintain some records for properties that are annexed or incorporated into a city after finalization of a King County permit.
Permits for right-of-way construction
For franchised utilities
Projects of special interest
Permitting activities in unincorporated King County that may be of special interest to the public because of their nature, size, or location
Property research and maps
For information relating to your parcel or property such as confirming jurisdiction, finding zoning information, confirming setbacks, learning about potential critical areas such as wetlands, floodplains, or landslide hazards see our resources below.
Property tax foreclosures
Learn about the property tax foreclosure process and related property auctions in King County
Property taxes
Information about property taxes in King County, including ways to pay
Public rules
Public rules implement policies from legislation, like the King County Code (KCC). KCC chapter 2.98 gives county agencies general authority to promulgate rules. It also sets out the requirements we follow. Once widely shared with time for comments, public rules have the force and effect of law.
Reference maps
Reference maps to help in planning purposes can be found on this page.
Restrictive covenants
Information and options for removing or modifying unlawful, discriminatory restrictive covenants.
S. Lake Union, Denny Triangle & Commercial Core
City of Seattle
Sammamish Town Center Subarea
City of Sammamish
SEPA Process
For information on the State Enviornmental Policy Act (SEPA) process within King County.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan
The King County Executive sent the subarea plan to the King County Council on December 7, 2023. Use the links below to view the recommended plan and related documents.
Subarea plans
Community Service Area subarea plans help guide development decisions in King County’s six rural Community Service Areas and five urban potential annexation areas. We get feedback from these communities using guidance from the Office of Equity, Racial and Social Justice.
Sustainable building
Resources for developers, builders, architects, and homeowners interested to build toward a sustainable King County.
Transfer of Development Rights Program Property Map
An interactive map showing TDR sending and receiving sites.
Unincorporated King County
King County, Washington
Vashon-Maury Island Subarea Plan
Learn more about the adopted 2017 Vashon-Maury Island Subarea Plan.