Check jurisdiction and zoning

First steps in the permit process are to check property jurisdiction and zoning. Geographic jurisdiction determines whether DDES or a city is the agency to contact about a property, and zoning affects how the property can be used.

Unincorporated King County is DDES' jurisdiction

DDES issues new permits only for property in unincorporated King County (areas outside the jurisdiction of local cities). For property within a city boundary (Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, etc.) in King County, you must contact the city (external link) directly for its permitting regulations rather than DDES.**

How to check property jurisdiction and zoning

Because it is not always easy to know whether property is in unincorporated King County or is inside city limits (a few Seattle addresses actually are in unincorporated King County), jurisdiction, as well as zoning, can be determined in the following ways:

• Online

  Jurisdiction. Go to Parcel Viewer at www.kingcounty.gov/operations/GIS/PropResearch/ParcelViewer.aspx. Search by Address or another means, then select the Districts Report. Near the top of the Districts Report, find Jurisdiction. If it reads "King County," the property is in unincorporated King County, it is under DDES' jurisdiction, and DDES is the permitting agency. If a city name is given for the jurisdiction, the property is inside that city's limits, the city has jurisdiction, and you must contact the city (external link) for building and land use permits. See example below.

  

  Zoning. Find "King County zoning" further down the Districts Report referenced above. The zoning for the property will be given as a letter and number combination, such as RA-2.5, or letters, such as NB, if the property is in unincorporated King County (zoning code abbreviations are explained at www.kingcounty.gov/operations/GIS/PropResearch/KC_Zoning.aspx). Zoning will display as "NA, check with jurisdiction" for property that is inside city limits. See example below.

  

  The Districts Report as well as other reports also are accessible when using iMAP.

• Call DDES at 206-296-6600

  Staff answering the DDES customer service line at 206-296-6600 are available to check the jurisdiction and zoning for property.

Links to local cities/other jurisdictions

If the property jurisdiction is a city, visit http://www.choosewashington.com/counties/Cities.asp?county_id=53 (external link) for links to the Web sites of local cities and towns.

**Under agreements with some cities, DDES may continue processing a permit that we started before the city was annexed or incorporated.