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An ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is any secondary living space on a property, including one attached to or inside the main house. A DADU (detached ADU) is a separate structure - a backyard cottage - which is what most people picture when they say ADU in Seattle.

Yes. Replacing a furnace or AC system with a heat pump requires a mechanical/trade permit from SDCI, filed by a licensed HVAC contractor.

It's not universally mandatory for single-family homes, but it's strongly recommended for older homes with cripple walls or unbolted foundations, and required for certain unreinforced masonry buildings under city policy.

It's the estimated cost of the construction project itself (what you'd pay a contractor) - not the permit fee. Seattle calculates the actual permit fee separately, from a city fee schedule based on that project value. A $15,000 remodel might carry a permit fee of roughly $1,000, not $15,000.

A contractor with a long, verifiable permit history has a real, city-recorded track record - not just marketing claims. It won't tell you if they're pleasant to work with, so pair it with reviews, license status, and insurance - but permit volume is a strong first filter that can't be faked or bought.

Yes - this data shows recent permit activity, common project types, and active contractors, useful context for a CMA or buyer conversation about a property's improvement history or ADU potential.

Automatically - every profile is generated from public Seattle permit filings. There's no signup and no fee to appear; your public permit history is your profile.