Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Restrictions on Use of Easements in Lieu of Drainage and Wastewater Main Extensions

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Projects can only use easements in lieu of extensions of public sewer drains IF they have SPU approval.  

As of this notice, projects submitting for new preliminary applications will not be allowed to use an easement in lieu of an extension of the public sewer system unless an adjustment or exception is made by the General Manager of SPU. SPU protects existing and future assets and ratepayer resources by providing an orderly and predictable public system. Minimizing the length of privately-owned side sewers will better serve future residents of the property, as well as reduce the total life cycle costs of owning and maintaining them. It will also help protect ratepayers by reducing claims filed by residents due to issues with easements and long, privately-owned utility services.

Street Use Completing Migration to Seattle Services Portal in November 2020

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Following last year’s successful migration of its Public Space Management permits to the Seattle Services Portal (SSP), the Street Use Division of the Seattle Department of Transportation will complete its transition to the SSP on November 9, 2020. To better integrate with SDCI and other city departments, Street Use’s move from Hansen to the SSP will make permitting and inspections more consistent, predictable, and transparent for online applicants. 

Storm Drain Insert Reminder

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With the onset of the rainy season, SDCI is reminding builders working in Seattle to inspect and maintain any temporary storm drain inserts they have installed as part of construction projects. The inserts, also known as storm drain socks, are used on many construction projects to catch sediment not captured by other required construction-related erosion control measures.

Members Sought for Seattle’s Design Review Boards – Application Deadline Extended to January 15, 2021

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Passionate about design or architecture? Mayor Jenny Durkan is looking for qualified candidates to fill 15 upcoming openings on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. Board members evaluate the design of new buildings based on citywide and neighborhood-specific design guidelines. The boards review large mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects. The volunteer positions will start on April 4, 2021, when retiring board members’ terms expire.

Are You Prepared for Landslides?

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Wet weather is approaching Landslide season is approaching, so the City of Seattle is urging residents to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their property from possible landslides. Did you know that most landslides occur between the months of November and March? As snow melts and rainfall continues to increase throughout the winter, the […]

City of Seattle Extends Free Street Use Permits for Businesses Through October 31, 2021

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-City Will Provide Free Tent and Heating Permits to Help Businesses Maintain Outdoor Operations During COVID-19 Pandemic Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced today that the Seattle Department of Transportation’s (SDOT) temporary street use permits are extended through October 31, 2021. These free permits allow small businesses to expand their operations outside to help ease the […]

Displacement Risk Monitoring Data Will Guide Future Community Wealth Building Efforts

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The Office of Planning and Community Development has launched an Equitable Development monitoring program that includes a new  Displacement Risk Indicators dashboard and Community Indicators of Equitable Development report. The City will be tracking areas where displacement risk for communities of color continues to rise, as well as monitoring housing affordability, economic opportunity, and other metrics. This ongoing program will provide data to City leaders and the public to help guide decisions to advance equitable development and mitigate displacement risk.  

Proposed Changes to the 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 and snowpack and stream flows have been altered and are decreasing our future water supply and hydropower production. At the same time, 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 transition to a clean energy future. Our buildings make up about one-third of Seattle’s emissions. SDCI offers three incentives to help solve this crisis.