New Amendments for Building and Residential Codes
Effective Sept. 20, 2008, compliance with new amendments to the 2006 Seattle building and residential codes is required. Links to the new amendments are available on the DPD Technical Codes web page for your convenience. Additionally, insert pages for your 2006 Seattle Residential Code and Seattle Building Code books are available at the Seattle Municipal Tower in the Public Resource Center (20th floor).

Many of the code changes align Seattle’s codes with recent State Building Code Council amendments. Other changes clarify or make adjustments to certain sections in order to solve code problems discovered since the code adoption in 2007. You will find new interpretations in the amendments,
including several in the building code that have illustrations.

Building code changes include: adding a definition of “suite” for hospitals and related interpretations; a new interpretation for allowable area of openings in exterior walls having a recess; clarification of requirements for elevator machine rooms, car size and power source; and modification of requirements for Seattle single-exit buildings. Residential code changes include: changes to live load requirements for decks and exterior balconies; changes to the requirements for clothes dryer exhaust protection; clarification of requirements for moisture protection of exterior walls and siding; and modification of requirements for structural independence in townhouses.

The new amendments to the 2006 Seattle building and residential codes took effect on Sept. 20.

Priority Green Permitting: Innovative Projects and Sustainable Development
Over the past few months DPD has been running a pilot program called Priority Green Permitting. This program is a collaboration between DPD permitting operations and the City Green Building team. It is meant to encourage innovative projects that can serve as visible models of high performance and sustainable development. The new process:

• Provides a single point of contact (project facilitator) for applicants demonstrating commitment to deep green, innovative, high performance projects that exceed current codes and standards.
• Provides assistance by an integrated team of design and permitting staff.
• Facilitates and coordinates priority land use and building permit review for development proposals with an interdisciplinary team of reviewers.
• Provides support and facilitation in navigation of complex code issues.
• Provides opportunity for early identification of code constraints for innovative proposals, and need for potential code changes.

In order to be considered for the Priority Green Permitting Pilot, applicants are asked to provide design detail on a Green Building Matrix. Points are awarded in five categories reflecting the Mayor’s efforts in green building: energy and climate protection, healthy people and communities, restore our waters, green Seattle initiative, and waste reduction and recycling. If you would like additional information about the program or would like to participate in the pilot, please contact: Sandy Howard at (206) 233-7194; or Peter Dobrovolny at (206) 615-1094. 

Priority Green Permitting is a program that is a collaboration effort between DPD permitting operations and the City Green Building team.

Free Landslide Public Meetings: Nov. 22 and Dec. 6
Have a problem with a steep slope? Learn how to protect yourself and your property at one of two free landslide meetings, sponsored by DPD and Seattle Public Utilities. An annual series, the meetings will provide presentations and individual consultation on best practices for managing landslide prone properties and will be held on Nov. 22 at the Northgate Community Center and on Dec. 6 at South Seattle Community College. Presentations will include a discussion of the causes of landslides and proper drainage and vegetation for sloping sites. These will be followed by a question and answer session and time for one-on-one discussions. No registration is required. Both meetings will have the same format and information. Joining City of Seattle staff: The American Society for Civil Engineers; The Association of Engineering Geologists; The International Society of Arboriculture; and Associated Building Contractors. For more information, please contact Tyson Lin, Public Relations Specialist at (206) 684-8443.

The landslide public meetings are intended to help you protect yourself and your property.

DPD Needs Your Help -- Customer Service Survey
DPD places a strong emphasis on customer service. It is committed to continually improve its services and would appreciate your assistance in gauging its success. DPD has created a hard copy customer service survey, which is available at the DPD offices in the Seattle Municipal Tower (floors 19-22). An online version will go live to the public in early October and will be available on DPD’s homepage. These surveys are in conjunction with Mayor Greg Nickels’ Customer Bill of Rights initiative. 

The customer service surveys will help DPD gauge its success as well as determine what areas need improvement.

Are You a Homeowner Who Needs Project Advice?
As a way of preparing homeowner applicants for future remodel projects, DPD provides coaching advice and information in a series of stories in dpdINFO. The information in these stories came directly from permit specialists, just like you would normally receive it, if you came into the Applicant Services Center (ASC). Read more on the “Project How To” page.

The information in these stories are directed toward small remodel projects.

Client Assistance Memo 602 (Updated), 602A (New)
CAM 602, Condominium Conversion: A Guide for Tenants and Prospective Buyers, was recently updated to reflect the August 2008 Condo Conversion Ordinance. CAM 602A, Condominium Conversion: A Guide for Owners and Developers, was also created because of the August 2008 Condo Conversion Ordinance. For more information about these CAMs, please contact Jim Metz, Housing Ordinance Supervisor at (206) 684-7979.

CAM 602, 602A can be found on DPD’s website under the Resource Center page.

Director's Rule Rescinded -- DR 3-2001
DR 3-2001: Approved Alternate Accessibility Guidelines for Building Elements Designed for Children’s Use, was rescinded. The reason for rescinding the rule is because the current federal standards for child accessibility are such that the rule is no longer needed. To view other Director's Rules please visit DPD's website.

DR 3-2001 was rescinded because the current federal standards for child accessibility are such that the rule is no longer needed.