Seattle Dept of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)
Seattle, WA
Avg Review
32d
Rejection Rate
55%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — Type I Hood (Seattle IMC amendments)
2018 IMC §507 w/ Seattle amendments / NFPA 96 / SMC 22.600Type I hood per 2018 IMC §507 with Seattle amendments. Seattle requires pre-application conference for commercial kitchens before permit submission. Exhaust rate per IMC Table 507.2.1. Makeup air required with conditioning for Seattle climate. Seattle energy code (more stringent than IECC) may require heat recovery on exhaust systems.
Examiner Note: Seattle SDCI requires a pre-application conference for commercial kitchen projects. This must be completed before formal permit submission. Seattle Energy Code may require kitchen exhaust heat recovery — verify with SDCI.
Common rejection: Pre-application conference not completed before permit submission; Seattle Energy Code heat recovery requirement not addressed
Correction: Complete SDCI pre-application conference before submitting permit. Address Seattle Energy Code heat recovery requirements for kitchen exhaust. Show conditioned makeup air system on M-1.
Fire — Suppression & Seattle Fire Marshal
NFPA 96 / SFC §904 / Seattle Fire Code amendmentsUL 300 system required. Automatic sprinkler per SFC 903.2. Seattle Fire Marshal reviews fire plans separately from SDCI. Fire alarm with SFD notification. K-class extinguisher within 30 feet. Suppression interlock with gas and electrical shutoff. Seattle Fire Code amendments may impose additional requirements.
Examiner Note: Seattle Fire Marshal review is separate from SDCI — submit fire plans to SFD early (3-4 week turnaround). SFD reviews fire alarm, suppression, and egress independently.
Common rejection: SFD fire plan review not initiated; fire alarm SFD notification connection not specified
Correction: Submit fire plans to Seattle Fire Marshal concurrent with SDCI building permit. Specify SFD fire alarm notification on FP-1. Include suppression interlock sequence of operations.
Plumbing — Grease Interceptor (Seattle/UPC amendments)
2018 UPC w/ Seattle amendments / SPU Industrial WasteGrease interceptor per UPC §1014 with Seattle amendments. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Industrial Waste program requires separate FOG permit for commercial kitchens. Minimum 1,000 gallon external interceptor. Quarterly maintenance. 3-compartment sink, handwash stations. SPU reviews water and sewer connections separately.
Examiner Note: SPU Industrial Waste FOG permit is prerequisite for SDCI plumbing permit. Submit to SPU before SDCI. Seattle UPC amendments may be stricter than base UPC.
Common rejection: SPU FOG permit not obtained before SDCI filing; grease interceptor not per Seattle amendments
Correction: Obtain SPU Industrial Waste FOG permit before SDCI plumbing filing. Size interceptor per Seattle UPC amendments (minimum 1,000 gallons). Show on site plan with pumping access.
Electrical — Kitchen Power (NEC w/ Seattle amendments)
2017 NEC w/ Seattle amendments / Seattle Energy Code2017 NEC with Seattle amendments. Minimum 200A service per bay. GFCI within 6 feet of water. Dedicated circuits. Emergency disconnect. Seattle Energy Code may require energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Seattle City Light coordination for service upgrades. Panel schedule required.
Examiner Note: Seattle City Light coordination for service upgrade can take 6-8 weeks. Initiate early. Seattle Energy Code compliance must be demonstrated on electrical plans.
Common rejection: Seattle City Light service upgrade not coordinated; Seattle Energy Code compliance not demonstrated
Correction: Initiate Seattle City Light service upgrade request (allow 6-8 weeks). Demonstrate Seattle Energy Code compliance on E-1. Provide panel schedule with circuit directory.
Health — King County Public Health
King County Board of Health Code Title 5 / WAC 246-215King County Public Health (KCPH) reviews food facility plans per WAC 246-215 (Washington Food Code). Handwash within 25 feet. 3-compartment sink. Food-grade finishes (FRP/SS behind cooking). Sealed floors, coved base. Pest control. KCPH plan review required before occupancy — takes 3-4 weeks.
Examiner Note: KCPH food establishment plan review is required before final occupancy. Submit to KCPH at same time as SDCI permit. KCPH is thorough on finish materials and equipment placement.
Common rejection: KCPH plan review not initiated; finish materials not food-grade per WAC 246-215
Correction: Submit food facility plans to King County Public Health concurrent with SDCI (allow 3-4 weeks). Specify food-grade finishes per WAC 246-215. Show handwash within 25 feet and 3-compartment sink on A-1.
Structural — Seismic (SDC D)
2018 IBC §1613 w/ Seattle amendments / ASCE 7-16Seattle is Seismic Design Category D. All structural modifications require seismic evaluation per IBC §1613 with Seattle amendments. Equipment anchorage per ASCE 7-16 Chapter 13 for items over 400 lbs. Non-structural seismic bracing for MEP systems. WA PE stamp required. Seattle amendments may be stricter than base IBC on seismic provisions.
Examiner Note: SDCI structural review is thorough for seismic. WA SE stamp preferred over PE for complex structural. Non-structural seismic bracing frequently missed on MEP systems.
Common rejection: Non-structural seismic bracing not shown for MEP; seismic calculations not per Seattle amendments
Correction: Provide WA PE/SE-stamped seismic calculations per IBC §1613 with Seattle amendments. Show non-structural seismic bracing for all MEP systems. Include equipment anchorage per ASCE 7-16 Ch 13 on S-1.
ADA — Seattle Accessibility (IBC + WA amendments)
2018 IBC Ch 11 w/ Seattle amendments / WAC 51-50 / 2010 ADAIBC Chapter 11 with Seattle and Washington State amendments (WAC 51-50). Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom. Washington State may have enhanced accessibility beyond federal ADA. Path-of-travel upgrades for renovations per IEBC with Seattle amendments. Accessible parking.
Examiner Note: SDCI checks both federal ADA and WAC 51-50 accessibility requirements. Washington State amendments may be stricter than base IBC on some provisions.
Common rejection: WAC 51-50 accessibility requirements not addressed; path-of-travel analysis missing for renovation
Correction: Address both 2010 ADA and WAC 51-50 requirements on A-1. Include path-of-travel analysis for renovations. Show accessible parking and route per WAC 51-50.
Egress — Seattle Exit Requirements
2018 IBC §1006 w/ Seattle amendments / §1017IBC egress with Seattle amendments. Two exits when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance per IBC 1017 with any Seattle modifications. Exit signs on emergency power. Panic hardware. Occupant load calculation. Seattle Fire Marshal also reviews egress independently.
Examiner Note: Ensure egress plans are consistent between SDCI building submittal and SFD fire submittal. Seattle amendments may modify travel distances.
Common rejection: Egress plan inconsistency between SDCI and SFD submittals; Seattle-amended travel distances not used
Correction: Verify Seattle-amended travel distances and occupant load calculations. Ensure consistency between SDCI and SFD submittals. Show exit signs on emergency power on RCP.