The City is looking for new Seattle Design Commission members to fill two upcoming vacancies – one for a registered architect and the other for a civil engineer, preferably one with experience in surface water management. Both positions will start their terms in March 2014. The date to be considered has been extended from December 13, 2013 to January 15, 2014.
Archives for December 2013
DPD 2014 Fees
On Jan. 1, 2014, DPD’s new Fee Ordinance will go into effect. There are no changes to development fees other than the adoption by rule of the latest building valuation data (BVD) table. The table establishes construction cost values by occupancy and construction type, which are then used to assess permit fees. This year there is an increase in permit fees of approximately 2 to 3 percent.
2012 Code Books are Available
The 2012 Seattle Building, Existing Building, Residential, and Mechanical code books are available from DPD. You can purchase codes from the our Public Resource Center on the 20th floor of Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 Fifth Ave.
2012 Codes Become Mandatory This Month
The 2012 Seattle building, energy, residential, mechanical, fuel gas, existing building, plumbing and fire codes were approved by the City Council on September 16. The 60-day transition period ends late this month.
Changes to Priority Green Expedited Thresholds
DPD’s voluntary green permitting incentive, Priority Green Expedited has grown considerably over the last 3 years. We have seen substantial growth in small residential new construction permits for single family, duplexes, townhouses, and rowhouses. Overall we have seen 258 applications for building permits enroll in the expedited program: 200 small residential, 47 large multifamily and 11 commercial projects. About 20% of all residential permit applications and 2% of all commercial permit applications for new construction (with complex reviews) are participating in the Priority Green Expedited program.
Applications for the Construction Codes Advisory Board Due December 6
We are accepting applications through Dec. 6 to join the Construction Codes Advisory Board. The three open positions represent organized labor, general contractors, and apartment building owners/operators.
October Permit Turnaround Times
View permit turnaround times for October 2013.
Marijuana Legislation Passed
On October 7, Seattle City Council passed legislation limiting the amount of growing, processing, selling, and delivery of marijuana and related products allowed in certain areas of Seattle.
23rd Avenue Action Plan
With the 23rd Avenue Action Plan, we wanted to establish a city-community collaboration that creates a shared vision and action plan to improve the health and equity of three Central Area community cores: 23rd Avenue and E. Union Street, 23rd Avenue and E. Cherry Street, and 23rd Avenue and S. Jackson Street. After three community workshops over the last six months, the project is transitioning from the planning phase to the implementation phase.
Deadline Extended: Seeking New Design Review Board Members
The Design Review Program is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill 12 upcoming openings on the city of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. The deadline for submitting an application is December 10, 2013. The volunteer positions will begin April 4, 2014 when retiring board members’ terms expire.