Skip to main content

Single family residential permit process 

For new construction, and changes to existing homes and duplexes, including owner improvements.

Important information

Keep final plans and permits displayed on-site

Approved building, fire and land use permits must be displayed prominently on construction and development sites. 

Maintaining these records on-site is the responsibility of the applicant and/or contractor.

Apply for a single family permit

  • Property research

    To better understand your property, do your research early. Check the jurisdiction and zoning to be sure it’s in unincorporated King County and understand what building or land use options you have based on your zoning. Start with our online tools to get the information you need for your application.

    Make note of any special conditions on your property, such as...

    • Critical areas
    • Established clearing limits
    • Flood zones
    • Historically sensitive areas
    • Setback areas
    • Shorelines
    • Steep slopes
    • Total impervious lot coverage
    • Wetlands

    Confirm your zoning when doing research and understand what building or land use options you have by referencing:

  • Prepare

     All single-family permits are available on the MyBuildingPermit website including:

    • Additions, remodels, decks, garages, and sheds
    • Mobile homes
    • New construction
    • Swimming pools
    • Mechanical
  • Submit

    Submit your application online:

    MyBuildingPermit.com

  • What to expect

    For most permit types you can expect the following after submitting your application online:

    • Confirmation email with your application identification number.
    • After your application is assigned, your submittal will go through the screening and triage processes. If there is any missing or incorrect information you will be notified at that time through the MyBuildingPermit.com portal. 
    • Examination of your submitted plans, by only the required Reviewers. 
    • Pay fees
    • Issuance
    • Inspections

    Note: Incorrect or incomplete application submittals will not be accepted and will delay your application process. 

    Through the MyBuildingPermit.com portal you can also:

    • View application status, invoices and payments
  • Set up inspections

    We inspect work for code compliance and safety requirements.

    Schedule an inspection

Check permit status and more

On the King County Permitting Portal you can:

  • View permit status, instructions can be found on our customer service page!
  • View record details
  • Pay permit fees due for non MyBuildingPermit.com permit types
  • Search for permit records
  • Schedule inspections
  • View inspection times and results

Visit the Permitting Portal

Residential New Single Family Construction

Handouts


Residential Single Family Building Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Combined Overview & Checklist (533 KB)


Residential Building Permit Agencies, Who does what

Information (260KB)


Residential Site Plan Requirements

Information (221KB)


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Information (533KB)


Water Service Requirements

Information (867KB)


Site Plan, Residential Examples,11" x 17"

General (379KB)

Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control (TESC) (383KB)


Electronic Permit Plan Requirements

Handout (183KB)


Application Forms


Permit Application for Single Family Residence

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com


Site Areas Worksheet

Worksheet (144KB)


Energy Worksheets for Residential Construction

New Construction & Additions

2018 King County Energy Code and Ventilation Worksheets

OR

Washington State Energy Code Worksheets

  Both 2018 and 2021 forms are available

Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Checklist (641KB)


Residential Fire Access and Water Supply Checklist

Checklist (325KB)


Site Plan, General

Template (PDF) (274KB)

CAD Template (DWG) (27KB)


Approval of Building Permit Application; Seattle - King County Public Health Department

Application for Approval of Building Permit


Other Forms and Handouts


Critical Areas Designation

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information (216KB)


Flood Hazard Certification

Form (PDF) (262KB)

Form (MS Word) (66KB)


Legal Lot

Information and Checklist (240KB)


Property Research Guide and Worksheet

Information (183KB)

Worksheet (570KB)


Residential Affidavit for Single Family Residence within Shoreline Management Jurisdiction

Form (176KB)


Residential Site, Flagging a Site

Instructions


Sewer Availability

Certificate of Sewer Availability (200KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Sewer Connection (493KB)

OR

On-Site Sewer (septic) Application for Health Department Approval of Building Permit


Soil Health: Achieving the Post-construction Soil Standard

Information and On-Line Calculator


Residential Solar Ready Checklist

Checklist (810KB)


Solar Photovoltaic System, Roof Mounted, Residential Exemption

Exemption Checklist (221KB)


Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Incentives and Permitting Guidance

Information (182KB)


Water Availability

Certificate of Water Availability (230KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Water Connection (67KB)

OR

Certification to Connect to Future Group A Water System (54KB)

OR

Well permit from Public Health


Residential Single Family Remodel, Addition, and Repair

Handouts


Residential Building Permit Application for Remodel, Addition and Repair Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Overview (245KB)

Checklist (275KB)


Residential Building Permit Agencies, Who does what

Information (260KB)


Residential Site Plan Requirements

Information (221KB)


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Information (533KB)


Service Requirements

Handout (867)


Site Plan, Residential Examples,11" x 17"

General (379KB)

Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control (TESC) (383KB)


Electronic Permit Plan Requirements

Handout (183KB)


Application Forms


Permit Application for Residential Single Family Remodel, Addition and Repair Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com


Site Areas Worksheet

Worksheet (144KB)


Energy Worksheets for Residential Construction

New Construction & Additions

2018 King County Energy Code and Ventilation Worksheets

OR

Washington State Energy Code Worksheets

  Both 2018 and 2021 forms are available

Alterations

2018 King County Energy Code Alterations Worksheet


Residential Drainage Inspection Application

Checklist (641KB)


Residential Remodel, Fire Access and Water Supply

Checklist (312KB)


Site Plan, General

Template (PDF) (274KB)

CAD Template (DWG) (27KB)


Site Plan for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (TESC)

Template (PDF) (277KB)

CAD Template (DWG) (27KB)


Approval of Building Permit Application; Seattle - King County Public Health Department

Application for Approval of Building Permit


Other Forms and Handouts


Critical Areas Designation

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information (216KB)


Flood Hazard Certification

Form (PDF) (262KB)

Form (MS Word) (66KB)


Legal Lot

Information and Checklist (240KB)


Property Research Guide and Worksheet

Information (183KB)

Worksheet (570KB)


Residential Affidavit for Single Family Residence within Shoreline Management Jurisdiction

Form (176KB)


Residential Site, Flagging a Site

Instructions (204KB)


Residential Setback Exception Agreement, Mechanical Equipment

Information (226KB)

Recording Form (95KB)


Sewer Availability

Certificate of Sewer Availability (200KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Sewer Connection (493KB)

OR

On-Site Sewer (septic) Application for Health Department Approval of Building Permit


Soil Health: Achieving the Post-construction Soil Standard

Information and On-Line Calculator


Solar Photovoltaic System, Roof Mounted, Residential Exemption

Exemption Checklist (221KB)


Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Incentives and Permitting Guidance

Information (182KB)


Water Availability

Certificate of Water Availability (230KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Water Connection (67KB)

OR

Certification to Connect to Future Group A Water System (54KB)

OR

Well permit from Public Health


Residential - Manufactured (Mobile) Homes

Handouts


Residential - Manufactured (Mobile) Home Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information (263KB)


Residential Building Permit Application for New Single Family Construction

Overview (235KB)


Residential Building Permit Agencies, Who does what

Information (260KB)


Residential Site Plan Requirements

Information (221KB)


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Information (533KB)


Water Service Requirements

Information (867KB)


Site Plan, Residential Examples,11" x 17"

General (379KB)

Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control (TESC) (383KB)


Electronic Permit Plan Requirements

Handout (183KB)


Forms


Application, Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com


Site Areas Worksheet

Worksheet


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Checklist (641KB)


Residential Fire Access and Water Supply Checklist

Checklist (325KB)


Site Plan, General

Template (PDF) (274KB)

CAD Template (DWG) (27KB)


Site Plan for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (TESC)

Template (PDF) (277KB)

CAD Template (DWG) (27KB)


Approval of Building Permit Application; Seattle - King County Public Health Department

Application for Approval of Building Permit


Other Forms and Handouts


Critical Areas Designation

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information (216KB)


Flood Hazard Certification

Form (PDF) (262KB)

Form (MS Word) (66KB)


Legal Lot

Information and Checklist (240KB)


Property Research Guide and Worksheet

Information (183KB)

Worksheet (570KB)


Residential Affidavit for Single Family Residence within Shoreline Management Jurisdiction

Form (176KB)


Residential Site, Instructions for Flagging a Site for Permit Applications

Instructions (204KB)


Sewer Availability

Certificate of Sewer Availabilty (200KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Sewer Connection (493KB)

OR

On-Site Sewer (septic) Application for Health Department Approval of Building Permit


Soil Health: Achieving the Post-construction Soil Standard

Information and On-Line Calculator


Solar Photovoltaic System, Roof Mounted, Residential Exemption

Exemption Checklist (221KB)


Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Incentives and Permitting Guidance

Information (182KB)


Water Availability

Certificate of Water Availability (230KB)

OR

Certificate of Future Water Connection (67KB)

OR

Certification to Connect to Future Group A Water System (54KB)

OR

Well permit from Public Health


Residential Accessory Building and Miscellaneous Structure Permits

Handouts


Residential Accessory Building and Miscellaneous Structure Permits

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Overview (216KB)


Residential Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Information (216KB)


Residential Building Permit Agencies, Who does what

Information (260KB)


Residential Site Plan Requirements

Information (221KB)


Site Plan, Residential Examples,11" x 17"

General (379KB)

Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control (TESC) (383KB)


Electronic Permit Plan Requirements

Handout


Energy Worksheets for Residential Construction

New Construction & Additions

2018 King County Energy Code and Ventilation Worksheets

OR

Washington State Energy Code Worksheets

  Both 2018 and 2021 forms are available

Alterations

2018 King County Energy Code Alterations Worksheet


Residential Drainage Inspection Application

Checklist


Application Forms


Application, Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com


Site Areas Worksheet

Worksheet


Residential Accessory or Agricultural Structure, Fire Sprinkler Access and Water Supply

Checklist


Site Plan, General

Template (PDF)

CAD Template (DWG)


Site Plan for Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (TESC)

Template (PDF)

CAD Template (DWG)


Other Forms and Handouts


Approval of Building Permit Application; Seattle - King County Public Health Department

Application for Approval of Building Permit


Critical Areas Designation

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information


Flood Hazard Certification

Form (PDF)

Form (MS Word)


Property Research Guide and Worksheet

Information (183KB)

Worksheet (570KB)


Residential Affidavit for Single Family Residence within Shoreline Management Jurisdiction

Form (176KB)


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Checklist (641KB)


Residential Setback Exception Agreement, Mechanical Equipment

Information (226KB)

Recording Form (95KB)


Residential Site, Flagging a Site

Instructions (204KB)


Soil Health: Achieving the Post-construction Soil Standard

Information and On-Line Calculator


Solar Photovoltaic System, Roof Mounted, Residential Exemption

Exemption Checklist (221KB)


Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Incentives and Permitting Guidance

Information (182KB)


Residential Mechanical Permits


Residential Mechanical Permit

Available on MyBuildingPermit.com

Information (249KB)


Residential Setback Exception Agreement, Mechanical Equipment

Information (226KB)

Recording Form (95KB)


Residential Swimming Pools


Affidavit for Application Form

See Application, Permit


Application, permit; Applicant Affidavit

Form (728KB)


Approval of Building Permit Application; Seattle - King County Public Health Department

Application for Approval of Building Permit


Residential Drainage Review Requirements

Information (533KB)


Residential Setback Exception Agreement, Mechanical Equipment

Information (226KB)

Recording Form (95KB)


Residential Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs

Instructions and Worksheet (213KB)

Conditions and Technical Information (227KB)


Site Areas Worksheet

Worksheet (144KB)


Site Plan and Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control (TESC) Template and Example

See, Computer Aided Design (CAD) Templates and Other Data Resources packet


expand_less