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 2011").

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We’re seeing a wave of new construction across Seattle, and that’s a signal of an accelerating economic recovery. Our Jobs Plan pledges to foster a business climate and environment where all businesses can thrive. That includes doing what we can to encourage construction. When Mayor McGinn heard that it was taking some builders as much as 9 weeks to get a permit appointment with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), he directed DPD to act. Today you can call and get a permit appointment within two weeks. That helps get workers off the bench and into the field, working at jobs with good wages that help build Seattle’s future.

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Effective April 18, 2011, applicants for building permits that trigger a review by the Public Health – Seattle and King County will have the option of applying directly to the Health Department prior to or concurrent with review by DPD. For those applicants who have not applied directly to Public Health for approval, DPD will continue to route projects for Public Health review until May 16, 2011.

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As a way of providing better customer service through our online applications, DPD has made new enhancements to the Permit & Complaint Status tool. Some of the changes include:

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Today the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced changes in services for applicants and the public. The changes are in response to the continued slow down in the development sector, which has significantly reduced permit related revenue for the department and resulted in a series of layoffs since the beginning of 2009. The latest round of layoffs takes effect October 1. The service changes are scheduled to go into effect October 18.

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The Planning Commission and the Department of Planning and Development have released an updated version of their popular comprehensive A Guide to Building a Backyard Cottage which helps a homeowner successfully design and build a backyard cottage. The Guide now reflects the December 2009 legislation allowing backyard cottages citywide.

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DPD is committed to providing good customer service to its applicants. The permit turnaround data is updated monthly.

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The City of Seattle wants to remind homeowners of the grace period through June 30 for legalizing existing unauthorized backyard cottages. Under new regulations that went into effect December 4, 2009, backyard cottages became legal throughout Seattle. Previously, backyard cottages, also known as detached accessory dwelling units or DADUs, had been allowed only in southeast Seattle neighborhoods since 2006. Included in the December legislation is a grace period that allows owners of existing, unauthorized backyard cottages the opportunity to legalize their unit without penalty. Owners have until June 30, 2010 to apply for a building permit and until December 31, 2010 to obtain final inspection of the unit.

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The City of Seattle wants to remind homeowners of the grace period through June 30 for legalizing existing unauthorized backyard cottages. Under new regulations that went into effect December 4, 2009, backyard cottages became legal throughout Seattle. Previously, backyard cottages, also known as detached accessory dwelling units or DADUs, had been allowed only in southeast Seattle neighborhoods since 2006. Included in the December legislation is a grace period that allows owners of existing, unauthorized backyard cottages the opportunity to legalize their unit without penalty. Owners have until June 30, 2010 to apply for a building permit and until December 31, 2010 to obtain final inspection of the unit.

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The City of Seattle announced today the start of a new expedited permitting process for highly energy efficient development projects. On September 30 the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) launched the Green Q permitting program for single family and other small residential projects.

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