Garage Permit in Seattle, Washington
- Permit Required
- Unknown
- Authority
- City of Seattle
- Setback
- 20 ft front, 5 ft side ft
- Last Verified
- 2026-09-29
What the official source says
“In addition, the property where you will build your garage must not be in an environmentally critical area.”
seattle.gov
“You usually can’t put a garage within the front 20 feet or the side 5 feet of your property.”
seattle.gov
Verify before you build — primary source for this page: https://www.seattle.gov/construction-and-inspections/permits/common-projects/garages
Permit Requirements
The property where you will build your garage must not be in an environmentally critical area.
Setbacks
Minimum setback: 20 ft front, 5 ft side ft.
How to apply
- Confirm the rules for your address with City of Seattle — the official sources on this page are the place to start.
- Prepare a simple site plan or drawing showing where the garage work goes and its size.
- Submit the application and pay the permit fee.
- Schedule the required inspections and keep the approved permit on site.
More detail: our garage permit guide.
Building Department
City of Seattle
Official Sources
FAQ
Where do I apply for a garage permit in Seattle?
Applications go to City of Seattle.