Need an electrician in SeaTac, WA? Call Electrician Federal Way at (253) 555-0100 and we will connect you with a licensed local electrician who serves SeaTac, from Angle Lake and Bow Lake to McMicken Heights and Riverton Heights. Homes, apartments, hotels and airport area businesses are all covered.
SeaTac is the King County city built around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It became a city in 1990, but most of its neighborhoods are much older, and more than 4 in 10 homes were built between the 1940s and 1960s. Add the airport, the busy International Boulevard corridor and a power line split between 2 different utilities, and SeaTac has its own set of electrical questions.
First Question in SeaTac: Which Utility Serves You?
SeaTac is one of the few cities in the area served by 2 electric utilities. Which one you have depends on where you live, and it matters for panel upgrades, service changes, meter work and outage calls.
| Your location in SeaTac | Electric utility | Utility phone |
|---|---|---|
| North of S 160th St | Seattle City Light | 206-684-3000 |
| South of S 160th St | Puget Sound Energy (PSE) | 1-888-225-5773 |
Not sure? Check the name on your power bill. When you call us, mention your utility and your electrician will know who to coordinate with for disconnects, reconnects and service upgrades.
SeaTac Runs Its Own Electrical Permits
SeaTac is on the Washington State list of cities that issue their own electrical permits and do their own electrical inspections. Inside SeaTac city limits, electrical permits come from the City of SeaTac (206-973-4750), not from L&I. The electricians and contractors themselves are still licensed and certified by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and the work follows WAC 296-46B, which adopts the National Electrical Code (NEC) with state amendments.
SeaTac Neighborhoods and ZIP Codes
Most of SeaTac is in ZIP code 98188, with the airport in 98158 and edges of the city in 98148, 98168 and 98198.
- Angle Lake
- Bow Lake
- McMicken Heights
- Riverton Heights
- International Boulevard corridor
- North SeaTac Park area
- 98188
- 98158
- 98148
- 98168
- 98198
What SeaTac Homes Commonly Need
1940s to 1960s ramblers
The largest share of SeaTac’s houses. Many still have original wiring, 2 prong outlets, 60 or 100 amp service and too few circuits for today’s kitchens. Your electrician may suggest an electrical inspection, grounding fixes, or a panel upgrade.
Sound insulated homes near the airport
The Port of Seattle has sound insulated more than 9,400 homes around the airport with sealed, noise rated windows and solid doors, and sometimes ventilation changes. Tighter homes often add heat pumps, fans or cooling, so check that your panel can carry the extra load.
1970s to 1990s homes
About a third of the housing. Breakers tripping with modern loads, full panels, no AFCI protection and tired outdoor outlets are typical. See circuit breaker repair and outlet replacement.
Apartments and newer buildings
Large apartment complexes are the most common housing type in SeaTac. Renters should report problems to the landlord, and owners and property managers can reach licensed electricians for unit repairs, common area lighting and building upgrades.
Signs It Is Time to Call
- Breakers that trip when a space heater, window AC or dryer runs
- Flickering lights or dimming when appliances start
- Warm or scorched outlets, switches or cover plates
- 2 prong outlets and no GFCI in the kitchen or bath
- Partial power after a Seattle City Light or PSE outage
- Not enough panel space for a heat pump or EV charger
If there is smoke, sparks or a burning smell, get out and call 911 first. After that, call (253) 555-0100 and we will help you reach a licensed electrician.
Businesses on the Airport Corridor
International Boulevard (SR 99) is lined with hotels, airport parking lots, restaurants, rental car sites and offices that run around the clock. These properties need dependable lighting, parking lot and sign lighting, circuits for equipment and EV charging, and repairs planned so the business can stay open. Business owners can use the same number to reach a licensed commercial electrician. See commercial electrical service and commercial lighting for more.
Need a SeaTac Electrician?
Call Electrician Federal Way and we will connect you with a licensed electrician who serves SeaTac.
Electrical Services in SeaTac
- Panel replacement and upgrades
- Electrical troubleshooting and repair
- Rewiring and new circuits
- Level 2 EV charger installation
- Smoke detector replacement
- Surge protection
- Generator hookups
- Lighting installation
Local Factors in SeaTac
Wet winters and outdoor circuits
Like the rest of the Puget Sound region, SeaTac gets a long, damp rainy season. Outdoor outlets need GFCI protection and in use covers, and older exterior boxes often rust or fill with water. Replacing them is a small job that prevents a lot of tripping.
Storm outages
Fall and winter windstorms cause outages on both the Seattle City Light and PSE sides of town. If you want backup power, a licensed electrician can add a transfer switch or UL listed interlock so a generator runs your essentials without back feeding utility lines.
Growing electric loads
Heat pumps, induction ranges and EV chargers are showing up in more SeaTac homes. In a 1950s house with 100 amp service, your electrician should do a load calculation before adding any big 240 volt load.
How It Works
Call or use the form
Tell us your SeaTac neighborhood, your utility if you know it, and the problem.
We connect you
We match you with an independent, L&I licensed electrical contractor who serves SeaTac.
Electrician visits
Your electrician diagnoses the issue and should explain the fix and cost before starting.
City permit and inspection
When required, your electrician gets the permit from the City of SeaTac and coordinates the inspection and any utility work.
SeaTac and Federal Way
SeaTac is a short trip north of Federal Way on I-5 or on SR 99, which becomes International Boulevard as it enters SeaTac. The Link 1 Line light rail also runs between the two cities, from Federal Way Downtown station through Star Lake and Kent Des Moines to Angle Lake station. Electrician Federal Way covers Federal Way, WA and the nearby cities, including SeaTac. On the way, you pass Des Moines and the West Hill of Kent. See all of our service areas.
SeaTac Electrician FAQs
Does SeaTac issue its own electrical permits?
Yes. The City of SeaTac issues electrical permits and does electrical inspections inside city limits, so you do not get the permit from L&I. The city’s electrical permit line is 206-973-4750.
Is SeaTac served by Seattle City Light or PSE?
Both. According to the City of SeaTac, Seattle City Light serves the area north of S 160th St and Puget Sound Energy serves the area south of S 160th St. Your power bill shows which one you have.
My home was sound insulated by the Port. Does that affect electrical work?
It can. Sound insulated homes are tighter and some had ventilation changes. If you are adding a heat pump, cooling or new fans, ask your electrician to check the panel and circuits so they can handle the added load.
What ZIP codes does SeaTac use?
Most of SeaTac is 98188. The airport is 98158, and parts of the city fall in 98148, 98168 and 98198.
Do I need a permit for an EV charger in SeaTac?
Yes. A new 240 volt circuit for a Level 2 charger needs an electrical permit from the City of SeaTac and an inspection, plus a check that your panel has enough capacity.
Can you help hotels and businesses near the airport?
Yes. We connect SeaTac businesses, including hotels, parking operators and offices along International Boulevard, with licensed commercial electricians.
How do I get an electrician in SeaTac?
Call Electrician Federal Way at (253) 555-0100 or fill out the form on this page, and we will connect you with a licensed local electrician who serves SeaTac.