DPD Publications
From codes to forms, newsletters to informative studies, DPD provides a number of publications that outline Seattle's past and future, explain regulations, guide development, and even walk an applicant through facets of the permit process.
Electronic versions of most DPD publications and codes are available free of charge. DPD's Public Resource Center provides paper copies of all DPD publications (view the Publications & Codes Pricelist).
- Client Assistance Memos (CAMs): User-friendly guides to Seattle's land use and construction codes; energy and mechanical regulations; stormwater, grading and drainage requirements; and housing and building maintenance regulations. Most address specific DPD permit and enforcement requirements.
- Codes: Staff at DPD develop and maintain codes that regulate construction activity and govern the use of land in Seattle. Most codes are available online.
- Design Review Guidelines: Citywide standards for multifamily and commercial buildings, as well as downtown and neighborhood-specific development.
- Guidelines for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings
- Guidelines for Downtown Development
- Neighborhood-Specific Design Guidelines - DPD Director's Rules: Binding rules concerning land use, construction, housing and other codes administered by DPD. They are adopted according to the Administrative Code of the City of Seattle (SMC Section 3.06.040), and are issued after public notice is published in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.
- dpdINFO: Our monthly newsletter, designed to keep you on the cutting edge of Seattle design, construction, land use, and planning issues.
- Earthquake Home Retrofitting Resources:
- Prescriptive Plansets & Earthquake Home Retrofit Series Booklets
- Homeowner's Guide to Nonstructural Earthquake Retrofit - Forms: Applications submitted to DPD require supporting documentation. To help streamline your application process, we provide online versions of DPD forms organized by type of application.
- Geotechnical Soil Reports (PDF): List of reports, sorted by street name. View actual reports at DPD Inspection Services, 700 Fifth Ave, Suite 2200, (206) 684-8860.
- Greenwood Subsurface Characterization Study: 2004 Shannon & Wilson study of potential ground settlements in the "Greenwood Bowl" area.
- Landlord/Tenant Information: A variety of documents on the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Seattle.
- Landslide Study: This report presents the results of a comprehensive Shannon & Wilson study of landslides in Seattle, using data dating back to 1890.
- Land Use Information Bulletin: Public notice regarding land use activities in Seattle—permit applications, decisions, and other land use actions—is provided twice a week in DPD's Land Use Information Bulletin (LUIB).
- Maps: Centralized access to Seattle maps, including zoning and parcel information, aerial photographics, city landmarks, environmental designations, special overlay districts, and more.
- Neighbors Who Notice provides information on how to make effective public comments. Neighborhos Who Notice is also available in Chinese (社區通告), Korean (주목하는 이웃), Somali (dadka deriska ee OGAADAY), Spanish (vecinos que se PREOCUPAN), Tagalog (ang mga kapitbahay na PUMANSIN), and Vietnamese (hàng xóm LƯU Ý).
- Planning Reports: Includes the "Seattle Comprensive Plan: A Plan for Managing Growth 1994-2014," and reports on how Seattle is changing as it grows under the Comprehensive Plan.
- Population & Demographics: Seattle's official Census 2000 site; provides population, housing and geographic data, reports, and other information for Seattle and its neighborhoods.
- Public Comment on Proposed Land Use Actions: A citizen guide to the different types of public notices DPD issues (signs and mailings) regarding development proposals and how to submit comments or make appeals.
- Seattle's Comprehensive Plan: The plan, "Toward a Sustainable Seattle," articulates a vision for how Seattle will accommodate residential and employment growth over the next 20 years, while promoting the values of its citizens, a vibrant economy and livable neighborhoods.
- Sustainable Building: Tips on reusing building materials; how to take advantage of residential and commercial incentives; case studies on successfully built sustainable projects; information on City policy and DPD activities.
- Zoning Charts (PDF): General zoning standards for Seattle's Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily Residential and Single Family Residential zones. See also Land Use Code Zoning Classifications.