Seattle is experiencing challenging conditions. This is affecting the ability of people who have permits or will soon obtain permits to start their projects. Availability of financing and other costs influence whether or when many of these projects can proceed.
The Seattle City Council has passed Council Bill 120674 that extends the maximum life of certain Master Use Permits (MUPs) issued as of September 2019 and any issued through 2026. This is intended to give more time and flexibility for permit applicants to make needed housing and other projects available throughout the city. Until now, MUPs issued by SDCI had a 3-year life that could be extended to 5 years following a renewal step that included updating plans to meet any requirements that had changed during the course of obtaining the permit.
The new ordinance eliminates the renewal step at the 3-year mark and sets a maximum lifespan of 6 years. No further extensions are allowed after the 6-year term for permits that benefit from this legislation unless a building permit has been accepted by SDCI.
The following Master Use Permits may benefit from this legislation:
- MUPs issued as far back as September 1, 2019, will now be automatically extended by SDCI to have a maximum term of 6 years from the date SDCI approved them for issuance. This includes MUPs that already have a 3-year or a 5-year lifespan.
- MUPs that will be approved for issuance before the end of 2026 will be assigned a maximum term of 6 years, with no need for a renewal step.
This does not apply to MUPs for variances, those with shoreline permits, temporary and intermittent uses, transitional encampments, and subdivisions, which have other rules for expiration and renewal.
If you have questions, please contact Gordon Clowers at Gordon.clowers@seattle.gov for more information.