Today the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) launched its newly redesigned website at: www.seattle.gov/dpd. Our goal is to make the site easier for the public to use, with attention paid to both first time users as well as regular visitors to DPD’s website. The new design is simpler, with “plain language” content, and is intended to increase the ability of the public to access DPD’s considerable online services and information related to development permits, long range land use planning, and code compliance, including online permit and plan submittals.
“We’ve worked hard to make our site easier to use!” said Diane Sugimura, DPD Director. “Over the years people have complimented us on the amount and type of information available, but … that it can be hard to find things. We took on the challenge to continue to provide more and more information, but organize it in a way that is easier to use and understand. Plain talk is our goal!”
Some of the changes at DPD’s website:
- Mobile Friendly: ready for tablet, iPhone, or other mobile device. Pages automatically resize to provide the best viewing experience.
- Interactive Map: an interactive map on the home page that lets you find property and zoning information, permit and complaint status, and permit activity by neighborhood, address, or intersection, all in a single search.
- More Robust Search: outdated web pages removed and remaining pages re-labeled to improve the DPD search function.
- Common Projects and Questions Pages: quick reference pages for permit and code requirements for the most commonly requested topics.
- Permit Pages: pages for each permit type that provide step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a permit for various types of projects.
- Code Pages: overviews of codes, with easy access to the code and an easy way to learn about proposed changes.
- Integrated Forms and Tips: forms and Tips (formerly called CAMs) are now integrated into the permit, common project, and common question pages.
- Streamlined City Planning Pages: City Planning pages are consistently organized, including features about what’s happening and how to get involved.
- Updated Population & Demographics Pages: reorganized and streamlined to be more user-friendly.
- Mega Menus: main navigation items available from the mega menus along the top of the new site.
- Tools & Resources: online tools and resources combined on one page.
Feedback
DPD staff continues to look for ways to improve web services. Feedback about the site and services can be made by clicking on Website Feedback found in the footer of our new web pages.