Find Posts By Topic

Bricks, Shakes, and Legislative Stakes: A Walk Through Seattle’s Most Vulnerable Buildings

On July 20, we joined local leaders and community partners for a powerful walking tour of Unreinforced Masonry (URM) buildings in Pioneer Square and the Chinatown International District — 2 of Seattle’s most historic and seismically vulnerable neighborhoods. The tour, followed by a lunch-and-learn session, was more than just a… [ Keep reading ]

Our New Permit & Site History Research Tool is Now Live!

We’re very excited to announce that our new Permit and Site History Research Tool is now live – visit our Research a Project website for the link!  The objective of this new tool is to offer a self-service tool that is equally useful to both internal and external users, bringing… [ Keep reading ]

Save the Date for the 2025 Seattle Home Fair

Join us at the Seattle Home Fair at the Filipino community center on November 8, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for face-to-face help from City experts who specialize in permits, inspections, code requirements, and rental regulations. This year, we are partnering with the Seattle Department of Transportation to offer right-of-way… [ Keep reading ]

July Publications

Tips New Updated Pulled from Circulation

Updating the City’s Stormwater Regulations

The City of Seattle is in the process of updating the Stormwater Code and the Seattle Stormwater Manual. The first draft of the updated Code and Stormwater Manual, that addresses equivalency with the State of Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) rules and permits, is nearing completion. We will share it… [ Keep reading ]

ADUs and Middle Housing

On June 30, 2025, several adopted pieces of legislation became effective in Seattle related to compliance with State laws aimed to boost housing supply and diversify housing options in Seattle’s residential zones. These code changes, put forward by Mayor Harrell and adopted by Council, are known as the HB1337 and… [ Keep reading ]

Frequent Transit Service Area and Major Transit Stops 

Current Land Use Code regulations provide for reduced parking within Frequent Transit Service Areas. Legislation related to the new State law recently went into effect. The law reduces parking and allows increased housing density on lots located near a new designation, Major Transit Stops. Layers corresponding to these areas are included… [ Keep reading ]

Side Sewer Permitting & Inspection Moves to SPU 

In June the City’s side sewer permitting and inspection functions partially transitioned from SDCI to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). This first step is part of a change that is expected to be completed by October 1, 2025. What has changed? Customers shouldn’t have noticed any changes on the front or… [ Keep reading ]

We’re Launching a New Permit & Site History Research Tool this Month

We’re very excited to announce that we’re launching our new Permit and Site History Research Tool this month. Please keep an eye on our Research a Project website for the new link!    The objective of this new tool is to offer you a self-service tool that consolidates all our resources…. [ Keep reading ]

SPU to Launch New Utility Cost Sharing and System Development Charge Program 

Seattle is facing a housing affordability crisis. As the city grows and development patterns shift, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is rethinking how development-related infrastructure is funded — aiming to distribute costs more fairly and equitably across the city. On April 23, 2025, Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced legislation to support housing… [ Keep reading ]