SE Seattle Permit Registry
Neighborhood

What's being built in West Seattle

2342 permits on file, 386 filed in the last 90 days - recent development activity useful for a listing appointment, CMA, or project planning.

2342
Total permits
386
Last 90 days
$119,334
Avg. project cost

Most common project types

ServicePermits
Heat Pump Conversions (HVAC) 1303
ADU/DADU Building 54
Seismic Retrofitting 7

Contractors active in West Seattle

Ranked by permit volume in this neighborhood - not by who paid for placement.

Common questions

What's the difference between an ADU and a DADU?

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.

Do I need a permit for a heat pump conversion 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.

Is seismic retrofitting required in Seattle?

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.

Is the dollar amount shown the permit fee, or the project cost?

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.

Why rank contractors by permit volume instead of reviews?

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.

Can realtors use this to research a listing before an appointment?

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.

How do contractors get listed here?

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.