A finished basement, a third bathroom, a converted garage: some of the best features in a listing were built without a permit. That is worth knowing before you own it.
How to check a Seattle home's permit history
In Seattle, the Seattle Services Portal and SDCI's "Research a Project, Permit, or Property" map show permits by address. Compare what you see in the house with what was permitted and finaled. Outside Seattle, the city or King County holds the records. SDCI also offers free 20-minute coaching with a permit specialist.
What the city can do
SDCI may issue a stop work order on construction without a permit, and it can fine an owner up to $500 per day for building without a permit or skipping the final inspection.
Why it matters to a buyer
Buying the house does not make earlier unpermitted work legal; the question becomes who pays to permit it, fix it or remove it. Insurance and lenders can also ask about it, and it comes up again when you sell.
What I look for
Additions, basement units and converted garages with no permit on record
New bathrooms, kitchens or electrical panels with no permit record
The seller's answers about permits and inspections on Form 17
This is one of the six Seattle checks in my buyer guide: what to check before you offer.