Short Answer
Usually, STFIIn Seattle, interior bathroom alterations to a single-family home or duplex usually qualify for a Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) construction permit from SDCI, which skips full plan review. Plumbing work needs its own permit from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which issues plumbing permits in Seattle.
Source: SDCI Tip 316: Construction and Demolition Subject-to-Field-Inspection Permits (linked under Sources below)
Seattle Bathroom Remodel Permits at a Glance
- Bathroom Remodel permits, last 12 months
- 92
- Median application to issue
- 1 days
- Slowest quarter took at least
- 6 days
- Added bathrooms
- 18
Who Can Apply and Do the Work
Plumbing installations start with a registered plumbing contractor, who applies through the Public Health Permit Center; homeowners can get a homeowner's plumbing permit for their own home. STFI applications need a signed STFI checklist.
What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued
- New beams or headers in load-bearing walls need no engineer's stamp up to 8 feet with two stories above, or 14 feet with one story above.
- Work in multifamily or commercial buildings, or that reduces plumbing fixtures in a shared bathroom facility, needs plan review.
- Proof is needed that the structure was legally permitted if you are replacing an illegal portion.
What Else to Know in Seattle
The permits on this page are Seattle building permits whose description mentions a bathroom; most of them are STFI interior alterations, which is why the typical wait is so short.
Seattle Bathroom Remodel Permit Fees
Seattle does not publish a flat bathroom remodel permit fee we could verify, so we don't quote one; the fee is set from the job when you apply. For scale, the median declared value of bathroom remodel work on recent permits was $35,000.
What Seattle's Bathroom Remodel Permit Data Shows
| Type of work | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodels | 57 | 62% |
| Added bathrooms | 18 | 20% |
| Combined with kitchen work | 17 | 18% |
| Not specified in the description | 0 | 0% |
Bathroom Remodel Permits Issued per Month
Types are classified from each permit's description. SDCI building permits whose description mentions a bathroom, excluding new buildings and ADUs. Data from Seattle Building Permits, October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.
Where Bathroom Remodel Permits Are Issued
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 98115 | 14 |
| 98117 | 8 |
| 98199 | 6 |
| 98144 | 5 |
| 98106 | 4 |
| 98103 | 4 |
Recent Bathroom Remodel Permits
| Issued | Work as described by the city |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-15 | Construct interior alterations to bathroom of one family dwelling subject to field inspection STFI. |
| 2026-10-14 | Construct alterations to add bathroom at main level (Unit ?) of two-family dwelling subject to field inspectio |
| 2026-10-13 | Construct interior alterations to bathrooms in one family dwelling subject to field inspection STFI. |
| 2026-10-09 | Construct interior alterations to bathroom of one family dwelling subject to field inspection STFI. |
| 2026-10-06 | Construct alterations to add basement level bathroom for one-family dwelling subject to field inspection [STFI |
| 2026-10-02 | Construct interior alterations to one family dwelling to convert bedroom to bathroom/laundry subject to field |
How to Get a Bathroom Remodel Permit in Seattle
- Confirm STFI eligibility with Tip 316.
- Apply to SDCI with the STFI checklist.
- Get the plumbing permit from Public Health – Seattle & King County.
- Do the work.
- Pass SDCI and plumbing inspections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Seattle?
In Seattle, interior bathroom alterations to a single-family home or duplex usually qualify for a Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) construction permit from SDCI, which skips full plan review. Plumbing work needs its own permit from Public Health – Seattle & King County, which issues plumbing permits in Seattle.
How long does a bathroom remodel permit take in Seattle?
For the 92 bathroom remodel permits issued between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026 with both dates published, the median time from application to issue was 1 days, and a quarter took 6 days or longer, according to the city's open data.
How many bathroom remodel permits does Seattle issue?
92 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 62% described bathroom remodels and 20% added bathrooms, based on the permit descriptions.
Who issues plumbing permits in Seattle?
Public Health – Seattle & King County, through its Public Health Permit Center.
Does a Seattle bathroom remodel need plan review?
Usually not for a single-family home or duplex: interior alterations typically qualify for an STFI permit.
Related Permit Guides
- Seattle Building Permits
- Do You Need a Permit for a Bathroom or Kitchen Remodel?
- Los Angeles Bathroom Remodel Permit Requirements
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- SDCI Tip 316: Construction and Demolition Subject-to-Field-Inspection Permits (seattle.gov)
- Public Health – Seattle & King County: Plumbing and Gas Piping Applications and Permits (kingcounty.gov)
- Seattle Building Permits (cos-data.seattle.gov)