Building Connections » Customer Alerts

March Permit Turnaround Times

CallisM — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:12:33 +0000

DPD is committed to providing good customer service to its applicants. The permit turnaround data is updated monthly online and can be viewed at www.seattle.gov/dpd/resourcecenter (go to “Turnaround/Approval Times 2013“).

Type of Permit	Goal	Mar. 2013 Performance
Simple Building IP*	80% in 48 Hours	93.1%
Medium Construction IP	80% in 2 Weeks	30.4% (82.1% in 3 weeks)
Complex Construction IP	80% in 8 Weeks	77.5%
Construction Issuance	90% in 120 Days	94.9%
Master Use Permit Decisions	80% in 120 Days	84.3%

*IP: Initial Plan Review by DPD staff

Electronic Plan Review and EDG

CallisM — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:38:36 +0000

Interest in our electronic plan review continues to grow. However, we are NOT accepting early design guideance (EDG) applications via electronic plan review at this time. We hope to offer this option in the coming months. Thank you for your patience while we work out the details to make this possible.

You can get instructions for applying for design review on our applicant’s toolbox page.

What’s Changing on DPD’s Website?

CallisM — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:47:38 +0000

We have almost finished a redesign of our website, www.seattle.gov/dpd. We will be releasing the new site in a couple of months.

We think you’ll find our simpler design, with “plain language” content, easier to use and understand. Our site has a new focus on making things easier for the first-time user, but we’ve also made sure our frequent users have easy access to their favorite information and tools with our “Dig Deeper” sections.

Here are the top 10 changes we think you’ll be excited about:

Mobile Responsive: You can use our site on your tablet, iPhone, or other mobile device.
Interactive Map: We added an interactive map where you can search for your property information, check your permit and complaint status, and find permit activity by neighborhood, address, or intersection.
Common Projects and Questions Pages: We added pages with quick reference to permit and code requirements for the most commonly requested topics.
Code Pages: We added an overview for each of our codes where you can find easy access to the code and whether we are proposing any changes.
Permit Pages: We created new pages for each permit type that provide step-by-step instructions on how to get a permit for your project.
Integrated Forms and Tips: Our forms and Tips (formerly called CAMs) are now integrated into the permit, common project, and common question pages.
Streamlined City Planning Pages: Our City Planning pages are consistently organized so you can find what’s happening and why you might want to get involved.
Updated Population & Demographics Pages: Our Population & Demographics pages have been reorganized and streamlined to be more user-friendly.
Mega Menus: You can access our main navigation items from the mega menus along the top of the new site.
Tools & Resources: We combined the online tools and resources into one page.

February Permit Turnaround Times

CallisM — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:35:02 +0000

Type of Permit	Goal	Feb. 2013 Performance
Simple Building IP*	80% in 48 Hours	88.2%
Medium Construction IP	80% in 2 Weeks	51.1% (92.3% in 3 weeks)
Complex Construction IP	80% in 8 Weeks	79.6%
Construction Issuance	90% in 120 Days	92.5 %
Master Use Permit Decisions	80% in 120 Days	67.6%

*IP: Initial Plan Review by DPD staff

Revised Effective Date for 2012 Codes

CallisM — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:33:03 +0000

DPD is revising the schedule for adoption of the 2012 editions of the Seattle building, residential, existing building, mechanical, fuel gas, energy, and plumbing codes. We are going to specify that the codes will become mandatory no earlier than October 13, 2013. There will still be a period during which applicants will have the choice of using the 2009 or 2012 codes, but that period will not end before October 13. We hope the certainty provided by this date will be helpful to people planning to submit permit applications this fall.

If you would like more information, contact:

Maureen Traxler
maureen.traxler@seattle.gov

2012 Code Adoption Update

CallisM — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:16:44 +0000

DPD is on schedule for new editions of seven codes to take effect next summer or fall. Public review of the 2012 Seattle building, residential, existing building, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and plumbing codes is almost complete. We expect the ordinances adopting these codes to take effect this summer, followed by a 60-day period during which applicants can use either the 2009 or 2012 codes. If you would like more information, contact Maureen Traxler at maureen.traxler@seattle.gov.

Some of the significant changes in the 2012 codes include:

Seattle is proposing to move all the provisions for existing buildings from the building code into in the existing building code. The 2012 Seattle Building Code will not have a Chapter 34.
The State of Washington and Seattle are adopting the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for the first time. Many of the provisions of the current Washington State Energy Code are being incorporated into the IECC.
High rise buildings with a floor more than 120 feet above ground will be required to have two elevators designed for firefighter use (“fire service access elevators”).
Building code Chapter 10 provisions for exit stairways were extensively reorganized and rewritten.
Accessible features designed for children will be allowed in areas used primarily by children.

January 2013 Permit Turnaround Times

CallisM — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:07:26 +0000

Type of Permit	Goal	Jan. 2013 Performance
Simple Building IP*	80% in 48 Hours	88.6%
Medium Construction IP	80% in 2 Weeks	32.7% (91.7% in 3 weeks)
Complex Construction IP	80% in 8 Weeks	63.5%
Construction Issuance	90% in 120 Days	93.8 %
Master Use Permit Decisions	80% in 120 Days	65.9%

*IP: Initial Plan Review by DPD staff

Green Stormwater Director’s Rules

CallisM — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:04:21 +0000

Effective March 1, 2013, DPD published two joint Directors’ Rules with Seattle Public Utilities:

SPU 201.1 / DPD 15-2012, Requirements For Green Stormwater Infrastructure To The Maximum Extent Feasible For Single-Family Residential And Parcel-Based Projects
SPU 201.2 / DPD16-2012, Requirements For Green Stormwater Infrastructure To The Maximum Extent Feasible For Roadway, Trail, And Sidewalk Projects

These Directors’ Rules clarify our construction requirement to implement “green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) to the maximum extent feasible.” They also define steps for reporting and evaluating compliance with this requirement.

Green stormwater infrastructure includes practices designed to reduce stormwater runoff from development using infiltration, evapotranspiration, and/or stormwater reuse. To be considered GSI, a function in addition to stormwater management such as water reuse, providing green space and/or habitat must be provided. Examples of GSI include trees, bioretention cells, permeable pavement, green roofs, and cisterns. GSI is also used to comply with flow control requirements, water quality treatment, or both, depending on how they are designed and constructed.

For more information and to read the Director’s Rules, please visit www.seattle.gov/dpd/Codes/StormwaterCode/Overview/default.asp.

If you have questions about how GSI relates to your construction project, please contact:

DPD Side Sewer & Drainage Review Desk
(206) 684-5362
sidesewerinfo@seattle.gov

December Permit Turnaround Times

CallisM — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:15:09 +0000

DPD is committed to providing good customer service to its applicants. The permit turnaround data is updated monthly online and can be viewed at www.seattle.gov/dpd/resourcecenter (go to “Turnaround/Approval Times 2012″).

Type of Permit	Goal	Dec. 2012 Performance
Simple Building IP*	80% in 48 Hours	93.6%
Medium Construction IP	80% in 2 Weeks	55.0% (97.4% in 3 weeks)
Complex Construction IP	80% in 8 Weeks	84.3%
Construction Issuance	90% in 120 Days	94.2 %
Master Use Permit Decisions	80% in 120 Days	76.7%

*IP: Initial Plan Review by DPD staff

Earthquake Retrofit Classes

DPDweb — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:05:38 +0000

Is your home ready for an earthquake? Find out by attending one of our free 2-hour classes. You’ll learn how to evaluate your home to determine if it qualifies for our earthquake retrofit program.

You’ll also learn:

How to retrofit your home using Project Impact’s Regional Home Retrofit guidelines
Tool usage and proper installation of parts
How to brace pony walls
How to secure the first floor framing
Which engineering solutions can be applied to your home, and when
The expedited permit process regionally and building code requirements – why are they important?
Safety issues
Consumer information – How to work with one of the trained contractors

This class is designed for all homeowners whether you’re planning to do the work yourself or hire a qualified contractor. For information on dates, locations and registration call (206) 233-5076 or check out the Emergency Mangement Events Calendar.