A Message from DPD's Director, Diane Sugimura 
As many of you know all too well, the construction industry has hit a sharp decline. Seattle was more fortunate than other parts of the country in that we did not experience the significance of it until late 2008. For DPD, whose budget is 85 percent dependent on development fees, this has been a sharp blow. We have had to make some significant cuts, but we are still open for business … our hours and our services have not changed. We welcome your visits to DPD! 

We, of course, had been watching revenues very closely throughout 2008, first eliminating overtime and the use of outside consultant services, plus not filling positions whenever vacancies arose. Even with these actions, early in 2009, it became very clear that major new projects were not likely coming through the door and that something more significant would be needed to keep our expenditures more aligned with our revenues. We combed our budget for non-personnel costs as much as possible before impacting staff. We’re also dipping into our reserves, which were established for times like this. In spite of these actions, we had the unfortunate task of laying off 26 staff, as of April 3. 

It was very difficult to say goodbye to great people, and now those who remain must work really hard to fill the voids, take on new tasks, and continue to provide great customer service. 

In addition, Mayor Nickels recently announced the new General Fund revenue forecast for the City, a projected $29.5 million deficit for 2009. A variety of cuts are being made throughout the City to address the shortfall. DPD faced another cut from General Fund, resulting in non-staff reductions as well as not filling a half dozen additional positions. 

Through this all, we will continue to provide good service and complete our priority work program items!

Read a message from DPD's Director, Diane Sugimura.

Online Coaching Goes Live!
Are you planning to remodel your home? Maybe even add a garage or a new addition? Before you visit the Applicant Services Center to ask project-related questions and how to get a building permit, try DPD’s newest application, Online Coaching. 

Online Coaching provides coaching information and a list of submittal requirements for single-family projects (in single-family zones only). The tool does not address: structures more than three stories in height; home occupations; or commercial, industrial or multifamily projects. The tool does not provide information on hazardous trees or green building.

Depending on the complexity of your project, your Online Coaching session could last 10 to 30 minutes. There is no need to take notes. All questions, coaching informational tips, and submittal requirements will be included in your results page. 

Try Online Coaching today and become better informed about DPD’s permitting process.

Depending on the complexity of your project, your Online Coaching session could last 10 to 30 minutes.

Publication Updates

Client Assistance Memos

• CAM 242, Tree Protection in Seattle, was updated to reflect the new Interim Tree Protection ordinance.
• CAM 331B, Hazard Trees, was updated to reflect the new Interim Tree Protection ordinance.

Director's Rules

• DR 16-2008, Designation of Exceptional Trees, clarifies the definition of “exceptional trees” which receive protections under Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 25.11, Tree Protection.
• DR 5-2009, Transportation Concurrency Project Review System, is an update to the previous Transportation Concurrency DR 4-99 providing new traffic counts and estimates of transportation system capacity to meet requirements of SMC 23.52 and the State’s Growth Management Act.
• DR 7-2009, Seismic Survey and Report Requirements for Buildings Undergoing Substantial Alterations or Repairs, describes seismic survey and report requirements for seismic retrofit design proposals for existing buildings undergoing substantial alterations.

See DPD's latest publication updates.

SDOT Street Improvement Permitting Update
Effective July 27, 2009, Street Improvement projects containing non-standard elements in the right-of-way will require 60 percent complete Street Improvement Plan (SIP) Conceptual Approval by SDOT. This approval must be obtained prior to acceptance of 90 percent complete Street Improvement Plans (SIP) for formal circulation and review. Street Improvement projects related to certain DPD Master Use Permits also require SDOT Conceptual
Approval prior to issuance of the Master Use Permit. Applicants must obtain Conceptual Approval through the 60 percent SIP Design Guidance meeting process, available beginning June 8, 2009. Visit the SDOT Street Use website for application materials, checklists, and Client Assistance Memos detailing the SIP Design Guidance, 60 percent SIP Conceptual Approval, and 90 percent SIP Acceptance processes.

Workshops will be conducted on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, from 9 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, June 3, 2009, from 1 to 3 p.m. to help Street Improvement Permit applicants and stakeholders prepare for the 60 percent SIP Conceptual Approval and 90 percent SIP Intake Appointment application and plan requirements. Contact Jamie Holland at (206) 733-9876 to RSVP.

The goal of the updates is to protect the City's residents and businesses from unreasonable noisy activities, such as construction. 

Submit Your Question to a Land Use Planner Online
Have a land use question? The DPD Land Use Q&A service is intended to provide helpful information and answers to your land use questions. Because answers to many questions can easily be found with the online resources DPD provides, we encourage customers to research our Web site first. Often, you will find answers to your questions immediately so that you can continue with planning your project without waiting for a response. To submit a question to a land use planner, please visit the DPD Land Use Q&A. 

For specific land use questions on sites proposed for development or for complex questions, we recommend that applicants visit the ASC and speak with a land use planner in person. The more you know about your specific property and situation before you arrive, the quicker your visit will likely be. Wait times to speak with a land use planner in the ASC can be an hour or more during peak hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). DPD provides free wireless Internet access and self-serve computers to make your wait more productive.