Permitting Process for ADUs in Seattle: A Step-by-Step Guide for Construction Management Subcontractor
Before contracting for an ADU in Seattle, it is important to know the different kinds of permits and the processes involved. Since it is usually a legal battle, it becomes a struggle costing you money, time, and reputation in the market. You must also fully understand what constitutes an ADU and its differences from a DADU. Many instances in the past have involved the wrong permit process initiation because of how the state defines an ADU and how your client does it. Let us dive into some of the steps you must take as a commercial construction subcontractor Seattle to ensure that your legal aspect is as good as your construction practice.
ADU vs DADU Zoning Laws
Seattle/s zoning laws allow the construction of ADU and DADU on most single-family homes. Generically, the difference is between the square footage and setback rules. As a general code, the commercial project management Seattle should additionally check for Lot zones and overlays like environment, public buildings and critical zones, etc.
Proper Assessment
Pre-planned site assessment is a special art that leads to better end results for any construction management subcontractor. It goes the same for any construction project but specially for an ADU since this is constructed in an already built property. The zone and code violations usually come into play at the end of the project and therefore extreme care should be exercised at the very start. Some of the important aspects to be checked are local zoning laws, lot size, slope, utility access and setbacks. Encourage clients to get a Pre-Application Site Visit (PASV) from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) if the site has complexity.
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Collaboration
If your commercial building services Washington doesn’t have an in-house architect/designer, then it is important to collaborate with someone who understands ADU design as well as the permit laws. You must also be on the lookout for the current Seattle Residential Code (SRC) and Land Use Code that incorporates a legal design. Building construction subcontractor Washington must also ensure the inclusion of a complete site plan, floor plan, elevation, existing structure details and energy code compliance in the design. Another way of closing all leaks is getting it verified by a permit expert if you are doing this for the first time.
Navigating the SDCI Permit Portal (Seattle Services Portal)
The permit process in Seattle is completely digital via the SSP (Seattle Services Portal). For an ADU which does not involve any structure change requires a commercial subcontractor Seattle to navigate through the STFI permits (Subject to Field Inspection). A good commercial construction subcontractor Seattle should help the homeowner or general contractor in navigating through the software and submitting the correct documents which eventually reduces the review time of the application.
Permit Process & Review
Once the documents are submitted, they are verified by the SDCI and an appointment is issued. Before the appointment, all documents must be final and a draft timeline must be prepared by the construction management subcontractor. A complete checklist is available on the SDCI website, making it easy to see if everything is ready before the submission and appointment date. The permit review takes about 4-8 weeks which includes structural review, zoning law abidance review, and utility review. In case of revision or extra requirements, the commercial subcontractor Seattle plays a vital role in this whole process.
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