Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Online Paid Zoning Coaching Appointments

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and based on guidance from our public health partners, we are no longer hosting in-person paid zoning coaching appointments at the Seattle Municipal Tower. In an effort to facilitate teleworking, SDCI offers online paid zoning coaching meetings through Microsoft (MS) Teams online meetings.  

Seattle Unveils Pre-Approved Plans for Backyard Cottages Which Lowers Fees and Permitting Time

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Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today, the launch of a new website called ADUniverse that features backyard cottage designs that have been granted pre-approved  City permits. The website includes a step-by-step guide to adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a property and new data about the implementation of this increasingly popular housing option. 

Time to Apply for a Grading Season Extension

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The rainy season is rapidly approaching, which means it’s time to think about whether you will be doing any grading between November 1 and March 31. If your project includes Geotechnical Special Inspections AND if your project is in an environmentally critical area or involves a large quantity of earth-moving, check your special inspection permit record for an item called “Monitor Grading Season Restriction.”

Reminder: New Boiler & Conveyance Bulletin

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The SDCI Boiler and Conveyance periodic inspection programs invite you to sign up for our Boiler & Conveyance Bulletin, our quarterly newsletter. You can sign up on our Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspections or our Elevator & Escalator Inspections websites. If you are a property manager, building owner/engineer, elevator company or consultant, installation contractor, or HOA member, this newsletter could prove beneficial to you.

Interim Floodplain Development Regulations Public Hearing

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On July 24, 2020, the City passed Ordinance 126113, which establishes interim floodplain development regulations. Interim regulations are required for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and are based on a Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Study. Interim regulations will be in place for six months while SDCI develops recommendations for permanent regulations. The ordinance was passed pursuant to RCW 36.70A.390 and, unless renewed, will expire in February 2021. 

Code Updates for Child Care Facilities

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On August 21, Mayor Durkan signed Ordinance 126131, which updates the Land Use Code for greater flexibility in locating child care facilities in all zones. The City Council estimates that as many as 33,000 children in Seattle under the age of six are in need of child care. They identified a shortage in child care and sought to remove code barriers to more affordable and conveniently located child care.

Sewer Connection Reporting Requirements for ADUs and DADUs

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SDCI is now reporting new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADUs) permits to King County for the purpose of capacity charges. We are required by code and our agreement with King County to report all new sewer connections to King County. Title 28 of the King County Code requires that we report all new units to the King County Wastewater Treatment Division.  

SDCI Virtual Inspections Project

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On April 2, 2020, SDCI began using virtual inspections for some types of projects. We implemented our virtual inspections program to continue providing inspections to our customers, while maintaining social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since SDCI implemented the virtual inspection program, we have conducted more than 9,100 virtual inspections. That is approximately 22% of the over 42,000 total inspections SDCI has conducted since April 2.