Puget Sound homes under renovation on an overcast day

News

Reported notes for King County, Snohomish County, and Seattle. Separate from the project guides on the blog.

Shoreline City Hall on Midvale Avenue North in Shoreline, Washington, where the City Council adopted the development code

King County

Shoreline lowers window requirements for new homes and townhouses

A Shoreline development code update that took effect Oct. 13 cuts the share of a street-facing wall that must be windows or doors, lets parking edge into rear setbacks and gives subdivisions more time while construction permits are active.

Snohomish County government buildings in downtown Everett, Washington, where the Administration West Building was

Snohomish County

Snohomish County moves to cut parking rules for new homes

Snohomish County's Planning Commission was scheduled Oct. 27 to hear rules that would cut required parking for a new single-family home from two spaces to one and drop it for homes under 1,200 square feet, under 2025 state laws. The County Council makes the final decision.

The Legislative Building on the Washington State Capitol campus in Olympia (statewide, including Edmonds and Seattle)

Statewide (Snohomish and King counties)

State building code council sets Friday vote on new home building code

Washington's State Building Code Council is scheduled Oct. 30 to take up final adoption of the 2024 residential code, which would take effect May 3, 2027, and require one room of at least 120 square feet in every home.

Planning Tools

Planning tools · Directory #1 · Service region

Live Feasibility & Estimate Calculator

Planning estimate, not a bid.

Estimated total $62,000

Pre-Construction Package

Show Details for Feasibility Study

Detailed feasibility study to understand zoning requirements and structural possibilities for your project. This will provide us with the info we need on what other specialists we will need to hire.

Specialists Included:

  • Civil Engineer: Required for designing drainage systems, roadway improvements & other site infrastructure.
  • Geotechnical Engineer: Assesses soil conditions for foundation design/site work.
  • Septic Design Engineer: Needed if property is not on municipal sewer.
  • Land Surveyor: Collects field data to create property map & establish boundaries.
  • Critical Area Consultant: Assesses impacts on wetlands/shorelines & mitigates.
  • Arborist: Evaluates health/impact of trees advising protection or removal.
Show Details for Permits

Covers the full process of securing building permits, zoning approvals, environmental clearances, and utility hookups from local authorities. Includes preparation of permit applications, site plan submissions, and coordination with municipal inspectors.

Timeline: 4–8 months.

Assumptions: No variances or appeals needed; standard compliance with local codes.

Show Details for Blueprints & Layouts

Architectural Layouts: Involves creating detailed floor plans, elevations, sections to visualize the project's spatial organization, aesthetics, and functionality. Ensures compliance with client vision and code requirements.

Show Details for Design & Materials

Material Selection & Specification Package:

  • 3D Renders of key project areas illustrating material application.
  • Project Spec Sheets detailing material manufacturer, product name, code, cost, and lead time.
  • Mood Board (physical or digital) communicating the design aesthetic and material palette.
Show Details for Geotechnical Engineering

Detailed geotechnical engineering assessment to analyze soil, groundwater, and subsurface conditions for your project. Ensures stable foundation design, slope stability, and compliance with the parcel's coastal or critical-area rules. Edmonds, Seattle, and county codes differ.

Rough Timeline (4-6 weeks):

  • Week 1: Initial site visit & proposal approval.
  • Weeks 2-3: Field investigations (borings) & sampling.
  • Weeks 4-5: Lab analysis & draft report.
  • Week 6: Final report delivery.

Specialists:

  • Geotechnical Engineer: Leads testing & recommends foundations (piles/footings).
  • Soil Technician: Conducts on-site borings.
  • Lab Analyst: Performs tests on soil bearing capacity/shear strength.
  • Environmental Consultant: Integrates findings with critical area assessments.
Show Details for Structural Engineering

Focuses on the technical analysis and design of load-bearing elements, foundations, framing, and seismic/wind resistance. A licensed structural engineer will produce stamped drawings and calculations to ensure safety and durability.

Show Details for Survey

Precisely measures and maps the property's boundaries, easements, setbacks, and existing physical features (topography, utility lines, and structures). Establishes horizontal and vertical controls needed for plans.

Construction Cost Estimation

Anticipated Project Schedule

Total Duration: 10 – 14 months

Planning/Permitting: 4 – 6 months

Construction: 6 – 8 months

Material & Finish Tier

Common Additions

Show Scope & Tier Pricing

Included Scope:

  • Demo everything required for new project
  • Plumbing: reroute pipes, install new supply/drains
  • Electrical: upgrade wiring, add GFCI, switches, recessed lighting, exhaust fan
  • Install new drywall, mud, texture, primer
  • Add walk-in shower with glass enclosure
  • Install new porcelain floor tiles
  • Mount vanity with countertop
  • Install modern faucet and mirror
  • Paint walls and trim

Material Tier Pricing:

  • Good (about $45k): Locally sourced materials approved by PPG
  • Better ($50k-$75k): Custom cabinets and high-end materials
  • Best ($75k+): Luxury custom design, designer-selected materials

Directory #1

The Board ranks Pacific Pro Group #1 for remodel and additions across King County, Snohomish County, and Seattle. Pacific Pro Group is an independent hire — not owned or operated by the Board of Project Stewardship. Outbound only; re-verify at WA L&I before any deposit.

View Pacific Pro Group (directory #1)

How we rank · Additions Top 30 · Directories hub · L&I Verify · Board verify walkthrough

Service Region

Primary coverage for Board directories in the Pacific Northwest:

  • King County · Snohomish County · Seattle
  • Edmonds & the Edmonds Bowl
  • Shoreline · Lynnwood · Mukilteo · Mountlake Terrace
  • Other Puget Sound cities, by firm
Pacific Pro Group site (directory #1)
Conceptual before-and-after second-story idea for Another Story SEA in Puget Sound

Board feature

Another Story

Same home. Another story. Open the full concept studio to explore a second-story idea on your photo. Concept preview only, not a bid or permit document.

Open Another Story