TownhomesModern Rowhomes
West Seattle
New construction
New Single-Family
Permitting
Ground-up homes and teardown-rebuilds — the full SDCI new-construction path, managed end to end.
New construction is where permitting gets genuinely complex, and where remodel-focused expediters fall down. Between zoning, demolition, grading and drainage, tree rules, and the question of whether you need a Master Use Permit, a new home touches nearly every part of the code. We map the whole path before you commit, then drive it.
What's included
- Pre-application & permit-path strategy
- Site plan, zoning & FAR analysis
- Demolition permit (teardown-rebuilds)
- Grading, drainage & stormwater coordination
- MUP management when triggered
- Plan-review corrections through issuance
01
Building vs. Master Use Permit
Many new homes need only a building permit. But the moment SEPA review, design review, a variance, or certain environmental factors come into play, you're into a Master Use Permit — a different, longer track. Knowing which one you're on from day one is the difference between a predictable timeline and a surprise.
- MUP triggered by SEPA, design review, or variances
- Demolition permit for teardown-rebuilds
- Intake screening & pre-application options
02
Site, grading, and stormwater
Seattle's stormwater code and grading rules shape what you can build and how. Green stormwater infrastructure, drainage review, and impervious-surface limits all land on the site plan, and they're a frequent source of corrections when handled late.
- Site plan, zoning, lot coverage & FAR
- Grading, drainage & stormwater (GSI)
- Tree regulations and protected-tree review
- Geotechnical report on sloped lots
03
Through review to inspections
We carry the project through plan-review cycles, manage every correction, and stay on it through permit issuance and the inspection sequence — so your builder is never waiting on paperwork.
Built & permitted
Homes we've
permitted & built.
Ground-up single-family homes and teardown-rebuilds we designed, permitted through SDCI, and built — every photo is our own. Open any project for the full set.
Real projects
Permitted &
built in Seattle.
Every home here we designed, permitted, and built ourselves — our own developments across the Seattle area under Seattle Modern Buildings. All photos and details are genuinely ours, never stock. Drag or swipe to explore.
Townhomes
New HomeSkyline Vantage
Seattle
New HomeCedar-Entry New Build
Seattle
New HomeRooftop Deck & Spa
Seattle
TownhomesInfill Townhomes
Seattle
DADUDetached Backyard Home
Seattle
ADURear Yard & Lower-Level Suite
Seattle
InteriorLight-Filled Open Kitchen
Seattle
TownhomesModern Rowhomes
West Seattle
New HomeSkyline Vantage
Seattle
New HomeCedar-Entry New Build
Seattle
New HomeRooftop Deck & Spa
Seattle
TownhomesInfill Townhomes
Seattle
DADUDetached Backyard Home
Seattle
ADURear Yard & Lower-Level Suite
Seattle
InteriorLight-Filled Open Kitchen
Seattle
New Single-Family Permitting — questions
Do I need a Master Use Permit for my new house?
Only if something triggers it — SEPA thresholds, design review, a variance, or specific environmental conditions. Most straightforward lots need a building permit alone. We determine this at the very start so your timeline is realistic.
Can you handle the teardown too?
Yes. A teardown-rebuild needs a demolition permit alongside the new-construction permit, plus utility disconnect coordination. We sequence both so the rebuild isn't held up.
Ready to start your
New Home permit?
Tell us about your lot and project. We'll map the permit path and timeline before you spend on drawings.
Start Permit Review