Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES)

KING COUNTY MAKING IT EASIER FOR HOMEOWNERS
TO PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY
Free home earthquake retrofit permits available at DDES

King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) is making it easier for citizens in the unincorporated area to prepare for an emergency. The department announced today that fees for home earthquake retrofit permits have been eliminated. Homeowners will still need to meet specific construction standards in order to receive a permit, however earthquake retrofit permits for older homes in unincorporated King County that have not adequately been anchored to their foundations are now issued free of charge. Effective immediately, this policy change amounts to a cost savings approaching $500 per customer.

Application requirements for home earthquake retrofit permits are outlined on the DDES Web site at www.metrokc.gov/ddes. Simply click on INFORMATION BULLETINS, then on Bulletin #50: Obtaining a Voluntary Home Earthquake Retrofit Permit. To initiate the permit process, first contact our seismic home retrofit specialists at 206-296-6600. Most permits can be issued over the counter following initial screening by DDES reviewers.

Other strategies for making your home disaster-ready:

DDES HOME FIRE SAFETY PERMITS: Recent hurricane activity in the Southern United States emphasizes the importance of citizens preparing themselves and their homes for a disaster scenario. With regard to home fire safety, homeowners can secure free fire hazard reduction permits from DDES, which allows clearing of native vegetation to create a 30-foot defensible space around a home. DDES issues these permits free of charge and applications can be submitted online. From www.metrokc.gov/ddes, simply click on PERMIT INFORMATION, then on ONLINE PERMIT APPLICATIONS. These permits are processed and mailed to the customer within one business day.

STORE NON-PERISHABLE SUPPLIES FOR 3-5 DAYS: All homes should have a 3-5 day stored supply of water (1 gallon per person, per day), non-perishable food, batteries and essential medicines. A first aid kit should also be stored with emergency supplies. Finally, be sure to establish an out-of-town emergency contact that loved ones can call to check on your well-being in the event of a local emergency. For more details on emergency preparedness, log onto the King County Office of Emergency Management Web site at: www.metrokc.gov/prepare.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS PROVIDED TO YOUR COMMUNITY: Listen to local radio stations and heed directions to either evacuate your area or shelter in place. The aforementioned emergency supplies are particularly important for a shelter in place scenario.

For additional information on Earthquake Retrofit Permits or Home Fire Safety Permits, please contact Paula Adams, DDES Communications Director, at 206-296-6682.

DDES processed 10,574 permits in 2004 and provided permit review services, building and land use inspections, and a broad range of public information and education to protect the environment and public health and safety. A recent performance audit shows that more permits were processed in less time during 2004, and a customer survey during the same time period shows that permit customers are using multiple information sources offered by DDES. In December, 2004, the department announced a fee rebate to building permit customers amounting to nearly $1.7 million. The King County Fire Marshal’s Office is also part of DDES. The Fire Marshal’s Web site, complete with information on burn bans, can be found at www.metrokc.gov/ddes/fire. For additional information, please contact Paula Adams, DDES Communications Director, at 206-296-6682.

Updated: October 6, 2005

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