Seattle - Priority Green Permitting

January 31, 2011

Summary

Seattle has several permitting incentives for green buildings as part of the Priority Green program. For single family residences, multi-family residential buildings and non-residential buildings that meet certain green building standards, there is an expedited permitting process. For innovative projects, there is a facilitated or priority review program. In order to take advantage of the expedited permitting process, a single family residence must achieve LEED for Homes Silver or higher or Built Green 4 or 5 stars. In addition, the home must be 2,400 square feet or less of conditioned floor area and must recycle at least 50% of construction and demolition debris. Multi-family or commercial buildings must achieve LEED Gold or higher or Built Green 4 or 5 stars. In addition, the building must recycle construction and demolition debris, install EPA WaterSense plumbing fixtures, and must be designed for 15% better performance than the current Seattle Energy Code. Multi-family residential buildings and non-residential buildings get a shorter permit review time by 2 weeks; single-family residences get a shorter permit review time by 4 weeks.