Due to rising labor costs, the Seattle Department of Transportation Street inspection and permit review rates are changing in 2017. A 2016 annual fee analysis found that adequate compensation for increasing labor costs would require an increase from $196 to $209 per service hour.
December Publication Updates
We updated a Tip on mechanical permits, released a new Tip about development site permits, and published two final Director’s Rules.
2017 Changes to Permitting Fees and Other Charges
The Seattle City Council recently adopted the 2017-18 budget, including legislation that implements Seattle DCI fee changes in 2017 to cover wage increases in order to reflect our cost of doing business. On January 1, 2017, these service fees go into effect.
Development Fee Changes for 2015
On January 1, 2015, DPD will adjust its service fees. There are no changes to development fees this year other than the adoption by rule of the latest building valuation data (BVD) table.
Adjustments to DPD’s Pre-Submittal Conference Process
We have updated our pre-submittal conference application and scheduling process. We now have separate applications for the land use and construction pre-submittal appointment requests, and we changed the fee payment process.
December Publication Updates
We published one new Tip about special inspections, a draft Director’s Rule about personal wireless facilities, and a new Director’s Rule on permit fees.
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.
January 2013 Publication Updates
We published two new rules, Implementation of the Fee Subtitle, Building Valuation Data and Implementation of the Fee Subtitle. We proposed to rescind one rule, Criteria for Approval for Minor Structural Building Overhangs Encroaching into Streets and Alleys.
DPD Fee Changes for 2011
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.
Revising SDOT Street Use Fee and Rate Changes
Seattle Department of Transportation is revising the Street Use permit fees and the hourly rate for the first time since 2004. Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) 15.04.074 requires that Street Use permit fees cover the expense of administering permits, including review, issuance and enforcement.