Getting started with the permit process

The permit process in unincorporated King County varies depending on the size and complexity of a project and also according to the zoning on the property.

It is important to DDES to make the permit process as easy-to-understand as possible, especially for first time and one-time-only permit customers. Described below are a variety of mechanisms DDES offers to help customers with the permit process.

Free sources of customer information

Check jurisdiction and zoning first. DDES' jurisdiction is unincorporated King County and DDES issues new permits only for property in unincorporated King County. For property within city limits, you must contact the city for building and land use permits, not DDES. For example, for property inside Seattle city limits, contact Seattle (external link). Find out how to check jurisdiction and zoning, as both affect the permit process.

Customer information bulletins. DDES' customer information bulletins are designed to provide user-friendly overviews and background information on a wide range of building and land use topics. For example, bulletin 12, Residential building permit process (PDF, 211KB), provides an overview of the residential process and bulletin 8, Commercial and multi-family building permits (PDF, 188KB), an overview of the commercial process.

FAQ. Answers to frequently asked questions about land use and permitting issues in unincorporated King County are available at FAQ.

Property research. Use online property research tools to find zoning (allowed use), district (fire, school, water, etc.), planning (applying the King County Comprehensive Plan to specific parcels) and Assessor (property description and valuation data) information on property. Look up property using an address, parcel number or street intersection.

Permit information. Permits available for unincorporated King County are listed at types of permits. Forms and application materials are conveniently grouped into packets according to permit type, and forms also are listed individually. See permit fees for cost information. To look up past or current permits processed by DDES, go to the online permit search.

DDES staff assistance. The DDES permit center offers a full range of technical support to customers each weekday. Call the DDES customer service line at 206-296-6600 to get basic information about DDES or the permit application submittal process, to request application materials, or to be directed to a particular staff member or review discipline.

DDES workshops and events. DDES holds educational workshops and events at various times throughout the year and past events can be viewed online in streaming video.

Customized property research and analysis

If a prospective permit applicant is planning a complicated development, or if the applicant simply has never been through the permit process before, paying a relatively small fee up front for detailed research and analysis can save a great deal of time and money down the road in plan changes and mitigation fees.

Voluntary pre-application meeting. A voluntary pre-application meeting is an opportunity to meet directly with a DDES technical specialist(s) and discuss your proposed project. They are designed to outline permit requirements and assess major site issues for a proposal in order to prepare the applicant for the permit intake and review process. DDES charges its standard hourly rate per staff person for this service. See pre-applications for more information about pre-application meetings for building permits and for land use permits as well as application forms.

Critical Area Designations. The Critical Areas Designation allows DDES to designate the presence, type, and location of critical areas on a property at the beginning of the review process. Customers looking to develop or sell property are encouraged to take advantage of this designation process which can save a property owner unanticipated expense in advance of preparing detailed construction plans. The designation is assessed at the DDES standard hourly rate. For more information, see critical areas designation.

Preferred consultant program. DDES' preferred consultant program offers permit customers the option of choosing a consultant from lists DDES maintains of individuals with a proven track record of high quality work in King County. DDES developed this program to make the permitting process more efficient and less costly. For more information, see preferred consultants.

Tips

Check property jurisdiction & zoning first.

Note free sources of information & customized options.

Visit DDES for walk-in technical assistance.

Call 206-296-6600 for DDES customer service.

DDES Permit information Getting started Check jurisdiction and zoning Types of permits Site-specific issues Applying & fees Public notices Inspections Records / permit history Online permit search Special interest FAQ Maps & property research Forms & publications Codes & policies Code Enforcement Fire Marshal Business licenses About/contact us Site map	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT DDES Department of Development and Environmental Services You're in: DDES » Permit information » Getting started print Getting started with the permit process Check jurisdiction and zoning Customer information bulletins FAQ Online property and zoning research tools Permit information Phone and walk-in staff assistance DDES workshops and events Pre-applications Critical Areas Designation Preferred consultants The permit process in unincorporated King County varies depending on the size and complexity of a project and also according to the zoning on the property. It is important to DDES to make the permit process as easy-to-understand as possible, especially for first time and one-time-only permit customers. Described below are a variety of mechanisms DDES offers to help customers with the permit process. Free sources of customer information Check jurisdiction and zoning first. DDES' jurisdiction is unincorporated King County and DDES issues new permits only for property in unincorporated King County. For property within city limits, you must contact the city for building and land use permits, not DDES. For example, for property inside Seattle city limits, contact Seattle (external link). Find out how to check jurisdiction and zoning, as both affect the permit process. Customer information bulletins. DDES' customer information bulletins are designed to provide user-friendly overviews and background information on a wide range of building and land use topics. For example, bulletin 12, Residential building permit process (PDF, 211KB), provides an overview of the residential process and bulletin 8, Commercial and multi-family building permits (PDF, 188KB), an overview of the commercial process. FAQ. Answers to frequently asked questions about land use and permitting issues in unincorporated King County are available at FAQ. Property research. Use online property research tools to find zoning (allowed use), district (fire, school, water, etc.), planning (applying the King County Comprehensive Plan to specific parcels) and Assessor (property description and valuation data) information on property. Look up property using an address, parcel number or street intersection. Permit information. Permits available for unincorporated King County are listed at types of permits. Forms and application materials are conveniently grouped into packets according to permit type, and forms also are listed individually. See permit fees for cost information. To look up past or current permits processed by DDES, go to the online permit search. DDES staff assistance. The DDES permit center offers a full range of technical support to customers each weekday. Call the DDES customer service line at 206-296-6600 to get basic information about DDES or the permit application submittal process, to request application materials, or to be directed to a particular staff member or review discipline. DDES workshops and events. DDES holds educational workshops and events at various times throughout the year and past events can be viewed online in streaming video. Customized property research and analysis If a prospective permit applicant is planning a complicated development, or if the applicant simply has never been through the permit process before, paying a relatively small fee up front for detailed research and analysis can save a great deal of time and money down the road in plan changes and mitigation fees. Voluntary pre-application meeting. A voluntary pre-application meeting is an opportunity to meet directly with a DDES technical specialist(s) and discuss your proposed project. They are designed to outline permit requirements and assess major site issues for a proposal in order to prepare the applicant for the permit intake and review process. DDES charges its standard hourly rate per staff person for this service. See pre-applications for more information about pre-application meetings for building permits and for land use permits as well as application forms. Critical Area Designations. The Critical Areas Designation allows DDES to designate the presence, type, and location of critical areas on a property at the beginning of the review process. Customers looking to develop or sell property are encouraged to take advantage of this designation process which can save a property owner unanticipated expense in advance of preparing detailed construction plans. The designation is assessed at the DDES standard hourly rate. For more information, see critical areas designation. Preferred consultant program. DDES' preferred consultant program offers permit customers the option of choosing a consultant from lists DDES maintains of individuals with a proven track record of high quality work in King County. DDES developed this program to make the permitting process more efficient and less costly. For more information, see preferred consultants. Tips Check property jurisdiction & zoning first. Note free sources of information & customized options. Visit DDES for walk-in technical assistance. Call 206-296-6600 for DDES customer service.
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	Updated: Jan. 17, 2008