Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Reminder: Are YOU Prepared for Landslides?

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Landslide season is upon us, so the City of Seattle is urging residents to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their property from possible landslides. Most landslides are caused by water (e.g. rainfall, uncontrolled stormwater) or human activity that increases the weight at the top of the slope or reduces the stability at the bottom of the slope.

Protect Your Property from Winter Weather

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Rain on top of melting snow can create added weight to hillsides and flat rooftops. As snow begins to melt, it’s important to ensure rooftop drains and downspouts are functioning and clear of ice or other obstructions. A few simple steps can prevent damage to flat roof buildings and reduce the risk of landslides.

Seeking Volunteers for Construction Codes Advisory Board

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As Seattle evolves, its building codes require constant review for effectiveness. The City of Seattle’s Construction Codes Advisory Board reviews new editions of construction codes, code changes, and Director’s Rules and provides advisory recommendations to our building official and Seattle City Council about whether to adopt them. Board members also review building official decisions and provide advisory opinions as requested. 

Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is seeking volunteers to fill board openings for an electrical contractor, general contractor, commercial building owner or operator, and a developer and/or contractor on residential projects.

Don’t Miss SDCI’s South Seattle Home Fair

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Start 2019 off right by getting a jump-start on your home improvement project! Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, renter or potential homeowner, our Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Home Fair will have something for you! Ask us about our permitting process, inspections, and codes requirements. Do you rent, or are you a landlord? Come learn about rental housing rules. We’ll also have information tables about affordable housing, landslide awareness, emergency preparedness, energy rebates, home ownership assistance, weatherization of homes, and so much more!

Green Building Incentives

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We are seeing drastic signs of climate change in Seattle and throughout Washington State. Smokey summers and droughts are becoming more common, snowpack and stream flows have been altered and are decreasing future water supply and hydropower production, all while energy and water demands are increasing with population growth. We must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change and to achieve the City’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Our buildings make up about one-third of Seattle’s emissions.

New Land Use Division Director

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Darlene Edwards has been selected as the new Land Use Division Director at SDCI and will lead this group of 92 employees. She replaces Roberta Baker, who retired in August 2018.  Darlene has been with SDCI for more than 28 years and has over 11 years of leadership roles in Land Use.  She brings a wealth of historical knowledge in zoning and the land use discretionary review process and has a strong customer service ethic. 

Visit the North Seattle Home Fair

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Once again, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is hosting the Seattle Home Fair. We’ll have free information for renters, homeowners, and landlords with experts on rental housing rules, coaching on obtaining permits for renovations, and breakout sessions on topics including landslide prevention, backyard cottages, and earthquake retrofits.

Reminder: Temporary Hour Changes

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We are temporarily changing our Applicant Services Center in-person office hours between January 14 and February 1, 2019. The temporary hours will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Don’t Miss SDCI’s North and South Seattle Home Fairs

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Start 2019 off right by getting a jump-start on your home improvement project! Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, renter or potential homeowner, one of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Home Fairs will have something for you!

Learn about Earthquake Home Retrofits, Landslide Preparedness and Awareness, and Backyard Cottages with three focused presentations covering each of these important topics.

Ask us about our permitting process, inspections, and codes requirements. Do you rent, or are you a landlord? Come learn about rental housing rules. We’ll also have information tables about affordable housing, landslide awareness, emergency preparedness, energy rebates, home ownership assistance, weatherization of homes, and so much more!