SE Seattle Permit Registry
Service · Citywide

Seismic Retrofitting in Seattle

163 permits filed citywide, 37 in the last 90 days. Here's where the work is happening and who's doing it.

Bolting the foundation and bracing cripple walls so an older Seattle home can survive an earthquake.

163
Total permits
37
Last 90 days
$116,163
Avg. project cost

Most active neighborhoods

NeighborhoodPermits
Fremont/Wallingford 15
Ballard/Loyal Heights 15
Rainier Valley 11
Northgate/Wedgwood 10
Central District 8

Contractors filing Seismic Retrofitting permits in Seattle

Ranked by permit volume - not by who paid for placement.

Common questions

How much does seismic retrofitting cost in Seattle?

Based on recent local permits, seismic retrofitting projects average $116,163 in Seattle, though cost varies with project size and scope.

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.