DPD Emergency Management
Overview

Seattle's Emergency Preparedness Goal

While disasters such as earthquakes, landslides or floods can’t always be prevented, we can be prepared.

The City’s emergency preparedness efforts have two essential goals: protect lives and restore essential services. The City's emergency planning emphasizes individual and community preparedness, and ensures that Seattle and its regional, state and federal emergency partners can work together.

How is DPD Involved?
DPD's role in the City's emergency preparedness efforts includes:

  • Providing Seattle residents with information to help homes and businesses prepare for possible disasters.
  • Making sure residences and businesses meet City codes and regulations upon approval of a DPD permit.
  • Performing rapid evaluations of structures in the event of an earthquake, landslide or other emergency that causes structural damage.
  • Providing expedited emergency repair permits following a disaster.

Codes and Regulations
Staff at DPD develop and administer codes that regulate construction activity and govern the use of land in Seattle. These codes help protect your home or building during earthquakes, landslides, and other disasters.

  • For more information on codes, go to DPD Codes.

Permits
DPD administers construction and land use regulations for development of all properties within the Seattle city limits. Permits must be obtained from DPD for construction projects, projects involving new or changed uses of property, and other building and design elements. If you need a permit to complete an emergency repair, your permit request receives expedited treatment. Be sure to inform the Permits staff that your permit request is for an emergency repair. In the event of an emergency, DPD will post and publicize special instructions on how to arrange emergency inspections, obtain emergency permits, and other relevent information.

Inspections
After your building permit is issued, a DPD inspector checks to make sure that your work is done according to code. As a permit holder, you must call to arrange for each inspection.

Last Updated: February 18, 2010