Pull electrical, plumbing, and mechanical sub-permits

How Seattle's sub-permitting works

Seattle issues sub-permits under a master Addition/Alteration permit. The GC (or each licensed trade) pulls:

• Electrical sub-permit — issued by SDCI on the electrical scope.
• Plumbing sub-permit — issued by SDCI on the plumbing scope.
• Mechanical sub-permit — issued by SDCI on the HVAC scope.

The sub-permits reference the master and are inspected separately. The GC coordinates the schedule.

What each sub-permit covers on a whole-house project

• Electrical — service upgrade (often part of the project because the old 100A panel can't handle the kitchen + heat pump + EV charger), all new circuits in the addition, the new kitchen circuits (range, oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, disposal, lighting, outlets), bathroom circuits, smoke and CO detector wiring, knob-and-tube remediation if applicable.
• Plumbing — all new fixtures, water and waste lines for the new bathrooms and kitchen, new water heater if upsized, gas line modifications.
• Mechanical — new HVAC equipment (or expanded existing), new ductwork, new bath fans, range hood, mechanical ventilation, gas line for the range or fireplace.

Each is its own scope, its own bid line, and its own inspection sequence.

Service upgrade timing (if applicable)

If your project requires a service upgrade — most whole-house remodels do — the electrician coordinates with SCL (Seattle City Light):

1. Electrician applies for the service upgrade with SCL.
2. SCL assesses transformer capacity and the service drop.
3. SCL schedules the cut-out (temporary disconnect) and reconnect.
4. The electrician swaps the panel and meter base; SCL re-energizes.

Most service upgrades are simple. A small fraction need a transformer upgrade upstream, which can extend the timeline.

Timing relative to the main permit

Sub-permits don't have to wait for the master permit's issuance — they can be filed in parallel. In practice, the GC pulls them shortly before the trade mobilizes. They're not the bottleneck on the project schedule; the building permit is.