Effective January 1, 2011, there will be a number of changes to DPD’s fee ordinance. Fees have been adjusted to cover the cost of service, including a cost of living adjustment (COLA) to cover 2008 and 2009 (fees have not been adjusted since the beginning of 2008). A new provision was added to allow for monthly billing for land use review, which will help the applicant and staff track permit costs during the review process. This will be phased in over the next year; there are no changes to the land use hourly fees.
Three new Director’s Rules related to department fees are also scheduled to go into effect January 1.
- Director’s Rule 1-2011 Implementation of Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data – This annual Director’s Rule establishes the building valuation for the year; updated annually based on national averages from the International Code Council (ICC).
- Director’s Rule 2-2011 Implementation of Fee Subtitle – This annual Director’s rule provides clarification of Fee Subtitle sections that are complex or could result in ambiguous interpretations.
- Director’s Rule 3-2011 Refund of Development Fees – This new rule sets forth the principles and calculations for DPD permit fees and services eligible for refunds.
The 2011 Fee Subtitle and related Director’s Rules will be available online shortly at:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/About/Fees/default.asp
Below is a summary of changes.
GENERAL
- Cost of Living Adjustment was made for construction fees and base rate (new base rate of $177, up from $166). COLA is 6.59% compounded (4.5% for 2008 plus 2% 2009). Boiler and Elevator fees were not adjusted. Land Use hourly rate was unchanged.
- Fire Department was added to the list of Departments for which DPD can collect money, and ordinance clarified that the Director of the Seattle Fire Department enforces those sections pertinent to the Fire Code.
- Refund section was moved to Director’s Rule 3-2011 and referenced as necessary in subtitle.
- Charge for failure to cancel missed appointments was raised from $50 to ½ base ($88.50).
LAND USE
- Timing of Land Use fee billing was revised to allow for monthly billing; tasks and services charged hourly fee clarified (22.900C.010).
- Table C-1, Land Use Fees, was reformatted. Added was a new section C for non-hourly fees and cross references to Table D-2, Calculation of Development Fees Determined by Value.
- Fees were adjusted for
- LU Interpretations – one level for all interpretations
- Design Review for Tree Protection – removed subsidy for voluntary Design Review
- Public Resource Center Records research changed to DPD base fee (was $110/hour)
CONSTRUCTION
- Phased Permits 22.900D.0100 B2 and Blanket Permits 22.900D.010 D were revised to mirror current practices and recover costs.
- Pre-submittal conference fees were clarified to include work outside of conference (research, additional staff, etc.) 22.900D.010 I.2.
From Table D-2, Calculation of Development Fees Determined by Value
New Fees:
- Energy Code hourly review fee for applications using Target UA and RS-29 compliance paths
- Shop drawings fee of 0.75 of Base Hourly Fee
- Sprinkler shop drawings fee of 0.75 of Base Hourly Fee
- Sprinkler only fee of 0.75 of Base Hourly Fee
- Code Alternate Requests fee of two hours minimum
Revised:
- Mechanical Permit without construction permit now an hourly fee
- Blanket Permit expiration reduced from three years to 18 months to align with other construction permit timelines
- Initial tenant improvements changed from three years to 18 months, with increase in % of DFI for tenant improvements after first 18 months
- Standard plan permit fee reduced
- Standard Plan hourly fee added for review of options to standard plans – increased % of DFI for review of revisions
- Voluntary Single Family Seismic upgrades fee increased to include plan review fee
- Street Improvement Exceptions Land Use hourly fee instead of DPD base fee
Consolidated:
- Temporary tents and renewal of permits for temporary structures consolidated into one fee, two times base fee
SITE REVIEW
- Geotechnical fee changes clarified in text 22.900D.145 and Table D-Site Review
- Post-issuance geotechnical review hourly fees added
- Post-issuance geotechnical inspections prior to final – hourly fees added
ELECTRICAL
- Electric Vehicles Charging Stations – new fees added to Table D-15, Electrical Permit Fees, and associated administration fees
SIGNS
- Structural Engineering Review fee added for signs, 022.900D.160 G
NOISE
- Table F2, Noise Fees, revised; review by Land Use planner charged the LU hourly review rate, and survey review and monitoring hourly minimum increased from 0.5 to 1 hour
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Department of Neighborhoods hourly fee of $250 added for SEPA review of Historic Preservation projects