Priority Green
Priority Green Fundamentals | Commercial & Multifamily | Single Family & Townhouses | How to Get Started | Priority Green Eligibility Documents
- Single point of contact for swift, accurate response
- Priority processing for faster intake appointments, routing and issuance
- Expedited initial plan review times so construction starts sooner:
- 4 weeks faster for single-family and townhomes
- 2 weeks faster for multifamily and commercial projects
Eligibility: Commercial & Multifamily
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Eligibility: Single Family & Townhouses
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Priority Green Expedited optimizes DPD’s standard permit process resulting in quicker permitting. Once eligible for Priority Green, there are no additional steps or permit fees involved during the permitting process.
LEED and Built Green projects require third party verification.It is the applicant’s responsibility to retain an approved third-party verifier or LEED consultant to document and verify the appropriate certification level. Once construction is complete, the third party professional must submit documentation to DPD confirming the certification will be achieved.
DPD Alternative Path is available for single family and townhouse projects and provides an option for applicants who choose not to use a third party rating system. These projects require documentation that is verified by DPD staff.
Single family and townhouse projects using Passive House standards meet or exceed DPD Alternative Path energy fundamentals, and are eligible if size limit and other requirements are met.
1. Research and Coaching
- Confirm your project can meet the requirements for one of the Priority Green Expedited options.
- If you have questions on the program, requirements or process email dpdprioritygreen@seattle.gov.
A single point of contact will be assigned to each Priority Green project to facilitate the permit process.
2. Preliminary Application Materials
- Check Priority Green Expedited box on Preliminary Application Form to indicate interest.
- For single family and multifamily, provide amount of conditioned floor area per dwelling unit on checklist or on correspondence.
- Prior to your intake appointment, submit Priority Green Eligibility Documents via email to dpdprioritygreen@seattle.gov.
DPD staff review Priority Green Eligibility Documents to ensure projects meet minimum standards and documentation is complete. Applicants will be notified within two weeks to confirm eligibility with an agreement letter or request further information.
3. Intake
Scheduling
- Schedule an intake appointment through the Applicant Services Center. For an earlier date, contact dpdprioritygreen@seattle.gov to be rescheduled into a priority appointment.
- Allow two weeks between the submittal of Priority Green Eligibility Documents and your intake appointment.
Intake Appointment
- Bring all permit plan sets and documents typically required.
- For DPD Alternative Path, provide details and notes on plan sets demonstrating conformance with program requirements.
- Return signed agreement letter accepting program requirements prior to or at intake appointment.
You do not need to bring preliminary LEED or Built Green checklist or intent letter to the intake meeting – these will be on file at DPD.
4. Permit Processing & Plan Review
Initial Plan Review
Target time reduced 50% for single family and townhouse applications.
Target time reduced 25% for multifamily and commercial applications.
- Call 206-684-7744 or email dpdprioritygreen@seattle.gov -- your single point of contact to facilitate resolution of issues during plan review.
Priority processing ensures faster plan review and earlier permit issuance.
5. Final Inspection
Built Green, LEED for Homes, LEED for Homes Multifamily Midrise & LEED New Construction
- Prior to final inspection, submit final Built Green or LEED checklist.
- Prior to final inspection, submit correspondence signed by the Built Green or LEED for Homes verifier, or by the LEED consultant, verifying that:
- All applicable inspections and performance testing is complete and meets requirements.
- Documentation has been submitted to Built Green or LEED for certification.
- The project, based on available information, is expected to achieve the required LEED or Built Green certification level
DPD Alternative Path
DPD will verify that all Priority Green elements were built and installed per approved plans.
DPD will confirm the project will achieve the appropriate level of certification prior to the final inspection and certificate of occupancy.
Priority Green Eligibility Documents
- Preliminary LEED or Built Green Checklist
- Letter of intent signed by an approved LEED for Homes or Built Green Verifier describing the services provided and identifying the certification level to be achieved.
LEED New Construction
- Preliminary LEED checklist
- Letter of intent signed by the owner, architect of record and LEED consultant indicating intent to design, construct and certify at LEED gold or higher. Include access code to LEED online to allow review by DPD (read-only access is acceptable).
DPD Alternative Path
Demonstrate design achieves 3 credits from the Options in Table 9-1 2009 Seattle Energy Code.
- Provide mechanical sizing form or copy of issued mechanical permit for Options 1a, 1b, 1c & 2
- Provide plumbing fixture specifications or copy of issued plumbing permit for Options 5a & 5b.
- Provide details and /or text for building envelope Options 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4b, 6 & 8.
- Provide specifications for WaterSense plumbing fixtures.
- Submit a Construction Waste Management Plan to achieve 75% recycling rate.
Mechanical and plumbing permits must be issued prior to building permits
