Single Family Amendments Effective Nov. 12
Ordinance 122823, which amends land use and zoning standards for single family zones to address the bulk, design, and environmental impacts of new structures on existing homes and the character of single-family neighborhoods, has been passed and will go into effect on Nov. 12. Proposed amendments would address: the size of homes, garage size and location, eligibility of historic lots for development, and house design. Ordinance 122823 inadvertently removed a provision allowing certain detached accessory structures in rear yards such as offices or studios. Garages, backyard cottages, decks, fences, heat pumps, solar collectors and other structures specifically allowed in 23.44.014D continue to be allowed. The inadvertently removed provision will be restored through the 2008 Omnibus Ordinance which is anticipated to be effective in the first half of 2009; however, applications containing these structures can not be approved in the interim. Applicants interested in submitting an application for these projects should contact DPD to determine if they should submit their project for review even though final approval may be withheld until additional legislation is passed.

The proposed amendments would address: the size of homes, garage size and location, eligibility of historic lots for development, and house design.

Protect Yourself and Your Property from Landslides
Do you live on a potential or known landslide area? Do you want to learn how to protect yourself and your property from a landslide? Then attend one of two free landslide awareness meetings, sponsored by the City of Seattle. An annual series, the meetings will provide presentations and individual consultation on best practices for managing landslide-prone properties and will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at the Northgate Community Center, Multipurpose Room and on Saturday, Dec. 6 at South Seattle Community College, Judge Warren and Nobie Chan Education Center. 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. Both meetings will have the same format and information. Please RSVP by contacting Tyson Lin, DPD Community Relations at (206) 684-8443. Find out more information about the free landslide awareness meetings.

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

Builder's Earthquake Home Retrofit Seminar
The Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) announces a professional training program for builders and contractors. Earthquake home retrofit training provides a consistent, approved approach to the seismic retrofit of older, wood-frame, single-family homes. The course is a six-hour seminar developed in collaboration with Seattle Emergency Management (Project Impact) and previously offered by the UW Extension. While a number of builders and contractors offer retrofit services in the Seattle area, many do not. Completion of this course qualifies you for placement on a list of contractors with this training. This course also enables builders and contractors to enhance their skills and expand their business into a new area. Participants receive extensive materials as part of the course. The names of contractors who complete this course are made available to homeowners via Seattle Emergency Management (Project Impact). The seminar takes place on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Shoreline Fire Department. The registration fee is $125 and you can enroll at www.wabo.org. Instructors include: Ben Emam PE, RA ,Emam Consulting and Educational Services; Mike Showalter, Construction Dispute Resolutions, Inc; Kaveh Aminian PE, DPD, City of Seattle; and Tony Holder, Home Improvement Services.

Earthquake home retrofit training provides a consistent, approved approach to the seismic retrofit of older, wood-frame, single-family homes.

Unreinforced Masonry Building Project
DPD has begun meeting with the public advisory committees that will make recommendations about possible new earthquake-strengthening requirements for the city’s unreinforced masonry buildings. The Technical Committee is considering how to define “unreinforced masonry building” and what standards should be applied to retrofitted buildings. The Policy Committee is discussing incentives and financial assistance, the timing of implementation of requirements, and scope of the requirement. Both committees are reviewing information about earthquake risk in Seattle, as well as information about historic performance of unreinforced masonry buildings. If you would like more information about the project, visit the URM website. You can also contact Maureen Traxler at (206) 233-3892.

The Technical Committee is
considering how to define
“unreinforced masonry building” and what standards should be applied to retrofitted buildings.

Amount of Tenant Relocation Assistance Increased
On October 1, 2008, the amount of relocation assistance paid pursuant to the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO) increased to $3,002. The amount of relocation assistance increases annually based upon the percentage increase in the Housing Component of the Consumer Price Index in the prior year. A tenant household that earns 50 percent or less of the area median income must be paid relocation assistance when its housing will be demolished, substantially rehabilitated, changed in use, or is subject to the removal of use restrictions. The City of Seattle pays one half of the assistance; the property owner pays the other half. In 2007, 191 households received relocation assistance. The Property Owner and Tenant Assistance unit of the Code Compliance Division administers the TRAO. Please call (206) 615-0808 for more information.

The amount of relocation assistance increased annually based upon the percentage increase in the Housing Component of the Consumer Price Index in the prior year.

2008 Built Green Incentive
The Built Green Incentive provides funding for single-family residential or town home, multi-family, and community development projects to help offset the cost of certifying and designing innovative green projects. Projects in Seattle and King County are eligible to apply. Incentives range from $2,500 to $20,000, depending on the star level achieved and type of project. The higher the level of green, the bigger the potential incentive. The application period closes Nov. 15, 2008. Incentive funds are limited and will be competitively awarded. Find out more details about the 2008 Built Green Incentive. For more information contact: Koben Calhoun, Built Green Program Manager, (425) 460-8238.

Incentives range from $2,500 to $20,000, depending on the star level achieved and type of project.

DPD Wants to Hear From You: 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 recently created an online customer service survey, which is now available on DPD’s website. DPD also created a paper customer service survey, which is available at the DPD offices in the Seattle Municipal Tower (floors 19-22). These surveys are part of Mayor Greg Nickels’ Customer Bill of Rights initiative. Find out more information on the Customer Bill of Rights. Take the DPD Customer Service Survey today! 

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

Client Assistance Memo (CAM) 220, 312, 340, 403 Updated
CAM 220, Lot Coverage, Height and Yard Standards for Homes in Single Family Zones, was updated to reflect the Single Family Amendment Ordinance 122823. CAM 312, Decks, Fences and Arbors for Single Family Homes in Seattle, was updated to reflect the Single Family Amendment Ordinance 122823. CAM 340, Townhouse and Duplex Construction: Application of Different Codes, The CAM was updated to be consistent with the adoption of the 2006 codes. CAM 403, NFRC Glazing U-factors and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), was updated to incorporate references to Seattle EnvStd 2006 and address visible transmittance and provide examples of forms that do not comply to the energy code. Visit the CAM website for more information. 

CAM 220, 312, 340 and 403 can be found on DPD’s website under the Resource Center.