Submit the Addition/Alteration permit to SDCI

What gets submitted

A complete SDCI Addition/Alteration submittal includes:

• Cover sheet — project address, scope summary, applicant info, designer of record, declared construction value.
• Architectural set — site plan, existing-conditions plans/elevations, proposed plans/elevations/sections, schedules.
• Structural set — stamped drawings + calcs (separate PDF).
• Survey — stamped boundary + topographic survey.
• Energy compliance + substantial-alteration analysis — REScheck report, prescriptive summary, or performance memo with the Tip 314 calculations.
• Soils report (if applicable).
• Existing-conditions photo log.
• Permit history printout from SDCI's research tool.
• Asbestos and lead survey results (recommended; required if abatement is part of scope).

SDCI Tip 100 is the authoritative checklist.

How submittal works

SDCI's online portal accepts uploads. The designer uploads the package, you sign as the property owner, and SDCI triages. Within 1–2 weeks you'll get an intake decision — accepted (assigned to reviewers) or returned (something missing). Returns are routine; not a red flag.

Fees

Three layers of fees, all tied to declared construction value:

1. Intake fee at submittal.
2. Plan review fee before first review — typically 2–4% of construction value.
3. Building permit fee at issuance — typically another 3–5% of construction value.

For a $500K project, fees total roughly $25K–$45K across all three. The current fee schedule is authoritative.

Reviewers SDCI assigns

A whole-house remodel + addition typically routes to:

• Zoning (setbacks, coverage, FAR, departures).
• Building (life-safety and structural per Seattle Building Code).
• Energy (Seattle Energy Code, including substantial-alteration provisions).
• Substantial alteration (Tip 314 — separate review track that often gates the others).
• SPU (side sewer + stormwater impact, if scope changes either).
• SCL (electrical service if upgrade is part of scope).
• Tree (if regulated trees on or adjacent to the lot).
• ECA (if applicable).

Timeline expectations

• Intake to first review: 6–10 weeks for a typical Addition/Alteration. Longer in busy seasons.
• Each correction round: 4–6 weeks (your turnaround + SDCI re-review).
• Total: 4–6 months from intake to issued permit, in 1–3 correction rounds. Substantial-alteration projects can run 5–7 months.