Seattle publishes its adopted construction codes and city amendments. Establish the project’s permit basis, identify the applicable Seattle source and edition, and record the amended provision beside the drawing condition it governs.
Start with the city’s adopted sources
Seattle’s building-code page identifies the 2021 International Building Code with city amendments as its adopted building code. Record the official Seattle source alongside the project’s application history rather than relying on a national code title.
The Washington guide covers the state framework. The Seattle permit guide covers submission and review. This page supplies the missing amendment-to-drawing method.
Keep adopted text separate from a summary
A significant-changes summary helps locate a topic, but the applicable code text and adopted amendment establish the requirement. A proposal, public-review draft or older downloaded checklist may serve another purpose.
Record the source title, revision or effective date, applicable provision and retrieval date. If the project relies on an accepted interpretation, retain its actual reference and scope.
Follow one amendment into the set
Choose one applicable condition, such as a means-of-egress or existing-building question. Locate the city provision and its exceptions, then identify the code-analysis note and drawing evidence describing the condition.
If the cover sheet cites one basis while a dependent detail follows another, document the disagreement. The designer and authority resolve the applicable requirement; the review records the evidence to support that decision.
Local amendment review register
| Check | Sources | Review question |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Project address, authority and permit scope | Is Seattle SDCI the relevant reviewer for this work? |
| Permit basis | Application history and applicable code cycle | Which code edition applies to the actual application? |
| City source | Seattle adopted code page and amended text | Is this a current official requirement rather than a proposal or summary? |
| Related codes | Building, existing building, mechanical and energy references | Which additional adopted codes apply to the reviewed scope? |
| Provision identity | Model provision, city amendment and exceptions | What text governs this specific condition? |
| Drawing evidence | Code analysis, plan, detail and schedule | Where does the package express the requirement? |
| Separate updates | Current agency rules and stormwater sources | Does this scope have a different update or effective date? |
| Open interpretation | Source question and authority response | Who must resolve applicability or an unclear interpretation? |
Watch scope-specific update cycles
Seattle’s stormwater page identifies a separate 2026 code and manual update effective July 1, 2026. A building-code cycle does not establish the stormwater basis automatically. Check the current source for each reviewed scope.
Use the drainage study checklist when the report and civil plans must follow those sources. Record application-specific transitional treatment with the authority where it is relevant.
Official sources and review use
Seattle SDCI building-code page links the adopted code and amendments. Source checked October 13, 2026.
Seattle SDCI stormwater-code page identifies its separate current update. Source checked October 13, 2026.
Include the applicable references and drawings in your code review. Potential findings require verification by the responsible professionals and authority; they do not grant a permit.