New Condo Conversion Ordinance Takes Effect August 1
On August 1, 2008, a new ordinance takes effect regulating condominium conversions; amending Seattle Municipal Code Section 22.206.160 and Chapter 22.903, and adding new sections.

There are three significant changes: Developers will be required to pay the equivalent of three month’s rent to tenant households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income based on household size. Elderly (65 and older) and special needs tenants can qualify for up to an additional $1,500 if they are otherwise eligible to receive relocation assistance (for additional relocation costs). Developers have new City reporting requirements — see SMC 22.903.035.B and 22.903.035.C. They are now required to give notice regarding payment of relocation assistance as well as distribute a relocation information packet. Additionally they are required to provide a report about the relocation to DPD no later than 180 days after the date of the original notice. A change in state law, also effective on August 1, extends the conversion notice period from 90 days to 120 days. It was not necessary for the City to adopt this change, since it will be a state requirement. Relocation assistance is only available to tenant households that do not elect to purchase their units. Relocation funds are paid directly to eligible tenant households by the developer. Developers pay 100 percent of the cost. Read more information, about the new condo conversion ordinance.

There are three significant changes within the new condo conversion ordinance.

Peat Settlement-Prone Area Ordinance Adopted
Council Bill 116248, creating a new Peat Settlement-Prone Area designation in the Environmentally Critical Area (ECA) Code, has been passed by City Council and will become effective in late August. The intent of the Peat Settlement-Prone Area designation is to address impacts from new development in areas of peat-rich soils. Impacts include settlement on adjacent sites by lowering the groundwater table. Within all peat settlement-prone areas, new development below the groundwater level will be prohibited except for specific features such as utility connections and required structural components including shallow foundations or pilings. This requirement may limit the construction of new basements in areas with high water tables. Parking requirements may be reduced to help offset lost underground parking potential in some zones. Also, allowances for additional height or floor area may be granted in commercial zones where a high groundwater table prevents underground parking. Temporary construction de-watering and land-disturbing activities may also be conditioned in these areas to prevent modification of the groundwater regime. In some areas, the introduction of new impervious surfaces must be offset by an infiltration facility or soil amendment project to replace lost infiltration function. Replaced or reconfigured impervious surface area will not have to be offset. For more information, please visit the Peat Settlement-Prone Areas website.

The intent of the Peat Settlement-Prone Area designation is to address impacts from new development in areas of peat-rich soils.

2006 Seattle Energy Code EnvStd Tool Training Offered
DPD is offering a new training session entitled Nonresidential Envelope Compliance: Using the Updated Seattle EnvStd 2006 Software. At this training, you will learn about changes in the software; review Seattle amendments incorporated into the 2006 version; find out about the program capabilities and limitations; discover the best way to input data, including the default assembly libraries; and negotiate the evaluation of alternates through the tutorial and in-class exercises. The training is free and takes place Sept. 5 from 8 a.m. - noon at the Seattle Municipal Tower on the 40th floor – RSVPs are required by noon on Sept. 2. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Vicki Baucom at (206) 233-2757.

RSVP today for the trainig by contacting Vicki Baucom at (206) 233-2757.

SDOT Review, Revised Hours and Street Use Move
Review: Due to an increased number of Street Improvement permit applications and a shortage of resources, formal circulation and design guidance review cycles may experience delays up to two weeks. All new Street Improvement permit applications will be scheduled for an eight-week turnaround. SDOT will return to its six-week turnaround cycle as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Ginny Zimmerman, SDOT Plan Review Supervisor at (206) 684-5241.

Revised Hours: As a reminder, new SDOT coaching hours went into effect July 7. SDOT coaching counter hours are Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 3 p.m. The coaching counter is located adjacent to the Land Use coaching counter, and across from the Microfilm area. SDOT will provide design and pre-application guidance as well as general coaching information. To obtain SDOT permits,   applicants must visit the Street Use counter. The Street Use counter is located on the 37th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Avenue) until Aug. 14. It will not be available Aug. 15 or 18 due to the move to the 23rd floor (see article below). For more information, please contact Ginny Zimmerman, Plan Review Supervisor SDOT Street Use at (206) 684-5241. 

Street Use Counter Move: The Street Use counter will be moving from the 37th floor to the 23rd floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Avenue) in mid-August. The Street Use counter on the 37th floor will be closed Friday, Aug. 15 and Monday, Aug. 18. SDOT will reopen in the new office on the 23rd floor on Tuesday, Aug. 19. For more information, please contact, Liz Sheldon, Right of Way Management Acting Manager at (206) 684-7945.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is making revisions to its review times, coaching hours and Street Use counter.

Unreinforced Masonry Building Committee
The City of Seattle is considering possible new requirements for strengthening the City’s unreinforced masonry buildings to better withstand earthquakes. DPD is forming a committee of those who might be affected by the regulations to advise the City on policy questions related to the new requirements. We will ask the policy committee to help us answer such questions as: In what types of buildings should strengthening be required? How much time should be allowed for completing seismic retrofits? What incentives and assistance would be most beneficial? We hope the committee will complete its recommendations in February 2009. For more information about the committee or the project, please contact: Maureen Traxler at (206) 233-3892.

DPD is forming a committee to advise the City on questions that relate to strengthening the City’s unreinforced masonry buildings.

DPD’s "Summer Start" will Get Your Project Moving
As a way of preparing homeowner applicants for future remodel projects, DPD has provided coaching advice and information in a series of stories in dpdINFO. The information in these stories comes directly from permit specialists, just like you would normally receive it, if you came into the Applicant Services Center (ASC). So far the 2008 “Summer Start” series (May to September) has addressed four different questions, such as: Can I Build a Deck? What is a Site Plan and When is it Required? Can I Build an Accessory Structure on My Property? Do I Need a Permit to Build a Fence? The “Summer Start” stories should not be used as a substitute for codes and regulations. Read the "Summer Start" articles today!

Before you start your home improvement project this summer, be sure to read DPD’s "Summer Start" articles.

Director’s Rules Recently Rescinded
DR 7-2006: Access to Exits from Elevator Lobbies, was rescinded. The Construction Codes Advisory Board (CCAB) approved this change due to the International Building Code 2006 changes.

DR 5-2002: Exceptions to Installing Fire and Smoke Dampers in Exhaust Only Shafts in Other Than High-rise Buildings - Prescriptive Path was rescinded. The CCAB approved these changes due to the International Building Code 2006 changes.

DR 9-2002: Exceptions for Installing Fire and Smoke Dampers in Exhaust Shafts Served by a Continuously Operating Fan, was rescinded. The CCAB approved these changes due to the International Building Code 2006 changes.

DR 19-89: Partial Application for Building Permits/Vesting and Permit Expiration, was also rescind-ed. Land Use Code changes make this rule unnecessary.

Official legal notice regarding Director’s Rules is published in the Daily Journal of Commerce.