Any building that contains commercial tenants is considered a commercial building. Mixed use buildings with both residential and commercial uses are also be treated as commercial buildings.
New construction and most alterations of commercial buildings will require plan review as part of the construction permit approval process. If your project is minor in nature, please refer to CAM 316, Subject-to-Field-Inspection (STFI) Permits, to determine whether your project qualifies for a STFI permit.
Projects in a commercial or industrial area are subject to construction and land use permits, but there are also a few specialized permits that apply only to them. Most medium-to-large new commercial projects will trigger the need for a Master Use Permit (SEPA thresholds) and possibly design review (SEPA threshold).
Emergency Repair Permits
Emergency repairs to the systems covered by DPD trade permits, due to landslides, earthquakes or other disasters that cause structural damage, typically receive priority handling in the permit process. For more specific information and application instructions, see emergency permit requests.
Fees
Fees are collected at the time of application and are based on application type and varying factors. Fees are subject to update on a yearly basis. For the most complete and up-to-date fee listing, see the DPD Fee Subtitle.
Questions?
Check our Frequently Asked Questions website.
