Get a Permit

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New permit and projects are only accepted electronically through the City's eTRAKiT permitting portal. You must be registered for either a licensed contractor account (must be licensed through L&I) or a public account prior to submitting an application. Certain permit types may be submitted directly online by choosing the permit type from a drop-down menu. All other permit and project types not listed below must create a Pre-Intake Record (PIN-XXXX) for initial processing. Please see the City's Electronic Permitting handout for more information.

Below is a step-by-step process of how to get a permit from the City of Shoreline. If you are having trouble understanding the process or need further assistance, feel free to contact us or book an appointment with a staff member. We’re here to help!

Step 1 - Establish the need for a permit

If you plan to do work on your home or property - including removing trees - there is a good chance you will need a permit. Common permit types include tree removal, new home construction, interior remodels, additions, and demolitions. The City also issues many other different permit types depending on your scope of work.

Some projects may qualify for a permit exemption and can begin work without a permit. We provide examples of common exemptions for construction and tree-related projects around your home.

Exemptions do not apply to properties with environmentally sensitive or critical areas. These areas include steep slopes, wetlands, streams, beaches, and lakes. Use our Critical Areas Map to see whether your property contains a known critical or sensitive area. If it does, please book an appointment with a planner so we can walk you through what is required.

Step 1.5 - [OPTIONAL] Pre-application meeting

For more complex projects, you may choose to schedule a pre‑application meeting. A pre‑application meeting is an optional early meeting where you can review your project concept with the City’s review team before you submit a full permit application. It helps you understand requirements, identify potential issues early, and get written feedback from each review discipline.

These meetings are held virtually and give you an opportunity to discuss your project and ask questions. After the meeting, you will receive written comments from each review discipline.

If you would like to request a pre‑application meeting, you can prepare your materials following the pre-application submittal checklist and submit using the City's eTRAKiT permitting portal.

Step 2 - Apply for a permit

If your project requires a permit, your next step is to submit your application along wiht the required items listed on the application submittal checklist to the City. Applications are only accepted electronically through the City's eTRAKiT permitting portal.

Once you have gathered all required materials, you can submit your application for intake. The City will charge an intake fee to begin processing your application. Depending on your permit type, additional fees may be required before your permit can be issued. After your application is determined complete - meaning all we have all required items - it will move into the permit review stage.

Step 3 - Permit review

City staff review your application to make sure it meets Shoreline’s Development Code. If something is unclear or doesn’t meet the code, we will send you a correction letter explaining what needs to be updated. You will then submit revised plans or documents. Most applications go through a few rounds of review and correction before they are approved — this back‑and‑forth is a normal part of the permitting process.

When you submit revisions, include a cover letter with your contact information, the permit number, and a brief description of what you are submitting. Your project manager may request other items which will be outlined in your correction letter. If you are submitting materials for more than one permit, keep each set clearly separated by permit number.

For more detailed instructions, please see our Revisions Handout.

Step 4 - Permit issued

Step 5 - Work is inspected

2025 Permit Review Timelines

The City has adopted permit review timelines into the Development Code that align with state requirements. Permit review targets are as follows:

65 calendar days: Administrative decisions (building permits, tree removals)
100 calendar days: Administrative decisions requiring public notice (subdivisions 9 lots or fewer, conditional use permits, projects requiring environmental review)
170 calendar days: Decisions requiring a public hearing (subdivisions 10 lots or more)

It’s important to note the review times start after an application is determined complete and includes only those days the City is reviewing the application. The clock pauses when additional information or corrections to plans are requested. The clock resumes once the requested information is provided to the City.

Below is a summary of the review times for applications approved in 2025.

2025 Permit Review Performance

PERMIT TYPE	AVERAGE DAYS	MEDIAN DAYS	TARGET DAYS	APPROVED WITHIN TARGET
Single-Family Simple	37	33	65	87%
Single-Family Complex	91	64	65	48%
Clearing & Grading	35	29	65	100%
Commercial	81	64	65	57%
Commercial Mech & Plumbing	50	26	65	81%
Demolition	174	75	65	41%
Mech & Plumbing Online	3	1	65	100%
Misc Structure	35	43	65	88%
Mixed Use	105	0	65	0%
Multifamily	280	203	65	25%
Residential Foundation (online)	15	17	65	100%
Residential Remodel (online)	27	29	65	97%
Residential Reroof (online)	7	6	65	100%
ROW Franchise Utility	19	18	65	93%
ROW Site	198	288	65	80%
ROW Use	76	15	65	81%
Side Sewer Repair (online)	1	2	65	100%
Signs	48	40	65	81%
Site Development	250	250	65	4%
Townhouse	410	392	65	0%
Tree Removal	15	15	65	100%
Wastewater	256	172	65	34%
Wireless Telecommunication Facility	15	33	65	100%
Administrative Design Review	27	21	65	89%
Conditional Use	230	230	65	0%
Deviation from Engineering Standards	86	86	65	67%
Final Short Subdivision	19	19	65	100%
Code Interpretation	60	60	65	100%
Lot Line Adjustment	51	51	65	100%
Lot Merger	89	28	65	40%
Noise Variance	24	7	65	80%
Preliminary Formal Subdivision	251	251	100	0%
Preliminary Short Subdivision	103	85	100	67%
Temporary Use Permit	17	17	65	100%
Zoning Verification Letter	16	16	65	100%

Annual Report to State Department of Commerce

The City is required to provide an annual report to Department of Commerce on permit review timelines for a subset of permit types. For Shoreline, these permits are typically housing developments in the form of townhomes and apartments. The summary below is a subset of the total 2025 permit review timelines above:

Summary Report Table

Permit Type	Total number of decisions	Number of permits reviewed under a consolidated process	Number of permits reviewed separately	Average calendar days to process (with pauses)	Average calendar days of review (without pauses)	Number of decisions exceeding the deadline
Preliminary Subdivision	1	0	1	490	60	0
Final Subdivision	0	0	0	0	0	0
Binding Site Plan	1	0	1	152	91	0
Multifamily Housing Permit	24	0	24	836	370	24
Construction Permit	35	34	1	1,006	398	1
Total	61	34	27	804	349	25

Some permits approved in 2025 exceeded the state timeframes. As part of our Modern Permitting initiative the City is committed to streamlining and improving the permit review process, including review timelines. We are focusing on an improved permit structure, improved staff permitting process, improved customer permitting experience, and clear customer communication. Thank you for your continued feedback as we continue to work toward improving our processes.