DDES FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions about permitting and land use

• About my property
• Is a permit required
• The permit process
• Electronic plan review (eReview)
• Codes
• Code Enforcement
• Critical areas / Floodplains
• Septic systems, wells, plumbing and drainage
• Electrical systems
• Fire Marshal Division
• Business licenses

In an effort to provide quick assistance, answers to frequently asked questions at DDES are available by selecting the subject heading below.

Please note: DDES issues new permits for property in unincorporated King County only. For property within a city boundary (Seattle, Issaquah, Kent, etc.) in King County, you must contact the city (external link) directly. Check jurisdiction of property online to determine whether it is in unincorporated King County or inside city limits, or call DDES customer service at 206-296-6600.

About my property 

• Lots: What is the difference between "legal lot," "buildable lot," and "taxable lot"?
• Zoning: What is the zoning on my property and what does it mean?
• Setbacks: What are the setbacks for my property?
• Subdivisions: Can my lot be subdivided?
• Building - permitted uses: What can I build on my property?
• Espresso stands: Can I operate an espresso stand on my parcel in a residential zone?
• Accessory Dwelling Units: Can I build an accessory dwelling unit or an accessory living quarters on my property?
• Building plans / records: How can I find property records, such as the original plans to my house?
• Already Built Construction: What can I do if I buy property and find out later that a structure on the property was built without permits?
• Boundary lines: Can RCW 58.04 be used as a method for resolving a boundary line dispute?

Is a permit required 

• Sheds: How large of a detached shed may I build without a permit?
• Decks and guardrails: Do I need a permit to build a deck? At what height is a guardrail required?
• Fences: How tall of a fence can I build? Do I need a permit?
• Roofs: Do I need a permit to repair my roof?
• Clearing: When is a clearing permit required? What happens if I clear my property illegally?
• Grading: When is a grading permit required?

The permit process 

• Applying: How do I apply for a building or land use permit?
• Cost / Fees: What is the cost of a permit?
• Bonds / financial guarantees: How can I get help with bonds or financial guarantees?
• Permit status: What is the status of my permit?
• Building inspections: How do I schedule a building inspection?
• Pre-applications for building permits: Will I need a pre-application meeting for a building permit?
• Pre-applications for land use permits: Will I need a pre-application meeting for a land use permit?
• Testamentary segregations: What is a testamentary segregation?

Electronic plan review (eReview) 

• Description: What is eReview?
• eReview for residential building permits: Can I apply for my residential building permit online and submit all documents electronically?
• New registers and participation: I want to set up a new register - do I have to participate in eReview?
• Software requirements: Do I need any special software to participate in eReview?
• Submittal requirements: What are the submittal requirements?
• Cover sheet: How do I get the required register cover sheet?

Building and land use codes 

• Building code: What building code is used by DDES?
• Climatic and geographic design criteria: What are the International Residential Code climatic and geographic design criteria for King County?
• Energy code: How can I get more information on the energy code?
• Snow loads: How do I determine snow load requirements for my proposed building?

Code Enforcement 

• Junk vehicles: I have a junk vehicle on my property. How do I get rid of it?
• Junk vehicle in County right-of-way: How do I get rid of a junk vehicle that I see in a county right-of-way?
• Home auto repair shops: My neighbors are running an auto repair shop from their home. It is noisy and there are cars all over the yard and on the street. Is this legal? I don't want my neighbors to know that I complained.
• Multiple cars on lawn: My neighbor has so many cars that the entire lot seems to be covered. I've counted 14 cars parked on the lawn. Is it legal to have that many cars?

Critical areas / Floodplains 

• Critical Areas Ordinance: How can I get information about the Critical Areas Ordinance?
• FEMA / Elevation certificates: How do I get information on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain and flood elevation certificates?
• Determining critical areas: How do I know if there are critical areas on my property?

Septic systems, wells, plumbing and drainage 

• Septic / Wells / Plumbing: Who should I contact for septic system, drainfield, well, or plumbing questions?
• Small project drainage review: Where can I find small project drainage review information?
• Drainage complaints: Who should I contact for drainage complaints?

Electrical systems 

• Electrical: Who should I contact with questions about electrical systems or power poles?

Fire Marshal Division 

• Burn bans: Is there a burn ban?
• Burning yard waste: Is a permit needed to burn yard waste?
• Fire codes: Can my architect/builder meet with someone in the Fire Marshal Division to discuss fire code issues within our building proposal?

Business licenses 

• King County business licenses: Do I need a business license from King County government?

To suggest a topic or question to add to DDES FAQ, please e-mail DDESWebInquiries@kingcounty.gov or contact Paula Adams, DDES Public Information and Records Officer, at 206-296-6682.