How long do building permits take in Seattle
Median time from application to issuance or decision, based on public permit records from the last 12 months. Updated July 23, 2026.
Construction permits by project type
| Project type | Median days | Sample size |
|---|---|---|
| Multi family | 372 days | 85 |
| Retail | 495 days | 25 |
| Institutional | 369 days | 17 |
| Office | 181 days | 15 |
| Hotel | Not enough data yet | 6 |
| Sports and recreation | Not enough data yet | 2 |
Methodology
Measured from a permit application date to its issuance date for construction permits, or its decision date for design review and land use permits. Permits with missing dates, permits reopened after an administrative closure, and permits open longer than 5 years are excluded. A number is only published once at least 8 qualifying permits are available. These are the same permit records visible elsewhere on BuildVue for Seattle, so every number here traces back to a permit a visitor can look up. This page never compares Seattle to another city. Different jurisdictions define application and issuance differently, so a side by side ranking would not be a fair comparison.