DDES news releases

Monitoring erosion and sediment control measures, or preventing muddy, silty runoff from leaving construction sites and leaching into streams and other waterways, is a major responsibility for DDES building and land use inspectors, especially during the rainy months in unincorporated King County.   Learn more...

In concert with Pierce County, Kitsap County, Mason County and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, King County lifts the burn ban Thursday, September 10, 2009, at 8 a.m.   Learn more...

Property owners in unincorporated King County now have an easy, straightforward mechanism for correcting minor environmental violations on their property. DDES has launched a new program to reduce the burdens of time and expense for property owners who have inadvertently cleared into critical areas and caused minor environmental damage on their property.  Learn more...

The King County Fire Marshal Division reminds property owners to take simple steps to minimize fire hazards on private property and in public areas due to increasing fire danger across King County.   Learn more...

In concert with Pierce County, Kitsap County, Mason County, Snohomish County and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, King County has called a Phase 1 burn ban to take effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2009. This burn ban applies to both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of King County.  Learn more...

Taxpayer savings are just a few of the benefits for King County residents as a result of recent energy and sustainability improvements at the county's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) building at 900 Oakesdale Ave. S.W. in Renton.  Learn more...

Customers of King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) now have a fast, easy way to check the progress of their permit applications with a new online review application on the DDES Web site.   Learn more...

DDES seeks permit customers to pilot its new Enhanced Inspection Program for land use site inspections, which offers improved communication and more immediate access to DDES inspectors.   Learn more...

King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) has reduced the cost of preparing residential permit applications by implementing an eReview process.   Learn more...

DDES is extending the Permit Fee Amnesty program through June 30, 2009 to help property owners with illegal construction or clearing and grading activity retroactively bring their project into permit compliance at no additional cost.   Learn more...

DDES is offering a low-cost workshop to prospective building permit applicants and property owners who intend to build one or more single family homes or do remodels in unincorporated King County in the coming year.  Learn more...

In response to last week's major flooding, the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services is offering free inspections of damaged buildings in unincorporated areas to help speed the repair process for residents.   Learn more...

Use caution when clearing snow. Snow mixed with rain falling on the deep, heavy snow already around the region is creating a potential hazard for King County residents. The rains and snow mixture may create growing snow loads on rooftops, which could cause safety hazards such as structural collapse or sliding snow (link to King County Office of Emergency Management news release).   Learn more...

Innovation and cooperation among King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services, a Fall City property owner and King County's Alternative Dispute Resolution has produced two agreements which allow a property owner to apply for permits for elaborate tree houses along the Raging River that will serve as bed and breakfast facilities.   Learn more...

DDES to close on Fridays starting next month. King County residents will have more access to staff and services at the Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) under a new department work schedule to debut next month that will close the office one day each week but extend operating hours.   Learn more...

Permit customers have one-stop shopping: Plumbing and Septic System review staff from the Environmental Health Division of Public Health - Seattle & King County are now co-located with King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services in Renton.  Learn more...

King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services has received high customer satisfaction results from a recent survey measuring permit customer satisfaction.  Learn more...

DDES is offering a workshop on Nov. 20, 2008 to prospective building permit applicants and property owners who intend to build one or more single family homes or do remodels in unincorporated King County in the coming year.   Learn more...

DDES offers property owners fee amnesty program for unlawful development (October 1, 2008 through April 1, 2009).  Learn more...

King County Fire Marshal lifts burn ban on Friday, September 5, 2008, at 8 a.m.  Learn more...

King County called a Phase 1 burn ban to take effect at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2008.  Learn more...

Questions and answers about the Appeals Court ruling on Critical Areas Regulations clearing limits (link to Executive Sims' news release)  Learn more...

King County Executive Ron Sims statement on Appeals Court ruling on Critical Areas Regulations clearing limits (link to Executive Sims' news release)  Learn more...

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency bans all land-clearing burning in King, Pierce, Snohomish counties effective July 1, 2008; will reconsider residential outdoor burn bans in the fall (external link to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency news release)  Learn more...

Comp Plan update benefits King County's unincorporated landowners, public and environment (link to Executive Sims' news release)  Learn more...