DPD offers a suite of green permitting options aimed at delivering faster, easier and smarter permit reviews for applicants pursuing sustainable development projects. Green permitting supports Seattle’s leadership role in climate protection and furthers City Green Building’s efforts to make sustainable design and construction standard practice.

Faster
Faster permit review times for green residential projects and early issuance of demolition permits for salvage and deconstruction.

• Green Q – An expedited permitting process for green single-family and townhome projects. Projects must meet one of the following sustainability standards: LEED Silver, Gold or Platinum; Built Green 4- or 5-Star; or DPD’s Green Q Alternative Path.
• Residential Deconstruction Program – A permit that allows for the issuance of a housing demolition permit before the related new construction permit is approved when applicants will be salvaging and recycling a significant portion of the building materials.

Easier
Permit facilitation to create an easier and coordinated permitting process.

• Priority Green Permitting – A facilitated permitting process and integrated review for highly innovative projects that will serve as visible models of high performance and sustainability. Projects must meet stringent environmental criteria, including adherence to the 2030 Challenge.

Smarter
Programs to encourage innovative practice and address smart approaches to design and construction.

• Innovation Advisory Committee – An advisory committee which works with applicants and DPD prior to construction application submittal to provide objective, technical input to reviewers regarding new and innovative technologies not currently recognized by technical code standards. The committee is comprised of members of the public.
• Living Building Pilot – A demonstration program to assist developers seeking to meet the advanced sustainability standards set by the International Living Building Institute’s Living Building Challenge.
  

City Green Building has developed Incentive Fact Sheets that identify assistance available from City, State and Federal sources for sustainable development projects being constructed in Seattle. Detailed information on City of Seattle utility incentives can be found at Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities.