How long do building permits take in Burien

Median time from application to issuance or decision, based on public permit records from the last 12 months. Updated July 20, 2026.

Design review
Not enough permits in the last 12 months to publish a number for this phase yet.
Land use
Not enough permits in the last 12 months to publish a number for this phase yet.
Construction permit
471 days
median
Typically 291 to 611 days
Based on 20 permits

Construction permits by project type

Project typeMedian daysSample size
Multi family471 days20

Methodology

Measured from a permit application date to its issuance date for construction permits, or its decision date for design review and land use permits. Permits with missing dates, permits reopened after an administrative closure, and permits open longer than 5 years are excluded. A number is only published once at least 8 qualifying permits are available. These are the same permit records visible elsewhere on BuildVue for Burien, so every number here traces back to a permit a visitor can look up. This page never compares Burien to another city. Different jurisdictions define application and issuance differently, so a side by side ranking would not be a fair comparison.

Explore Burien permits on the map

See the individual permits behind these numbers on BuildVue's interactive map.
Burien permit timelines · BuildVueBack to Burien overview