Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

October Publication Updates

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SDCI published a new Tip on parking studies, rescinded a Tip on installation for wood and coal burning appliances, and published a final Director’s Rule regarding the administration of the tree service provider registry.

It’s Landslide Season! Are You Prepared?

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Landslide season is here, 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? The threat of landslides will continue to rise as rainfall continues to increase and when snow melts during the winter months.

Seattle Tree Service Providers Must Register and Provide Public Notice Prior to Tree Work

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The City Council passed Council Bill 120207 requiring 1) tree service providers to register with the City of Seattle before conducting commercial tree work and consultations on private property and 2) property owners to post a public notice on-site before any tree work beyond routine maintenance. The tree service provider registry will be accessible to the public so that owners, residents, and neighbors can be assured a registered company knowledgeable with tree regulations and best practices is completing work in their neighborhood. 

Grading Season Extension Reminder

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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.”

If you see “Monitor Grading Season Restriction” on your record, this means that grading between November 1 and March 31 is prohibited unless you apply for and receive a Grading Season Extension. 

New Rules Require Seattle Tree Service Providers to Register With the City

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The City Council recently passed Council Bill 120207 requiring 1) tree service providers to register with the City of Seattle before conducting commercial tree work and consultations on private property and 2) property owners to post a public notice on-site before any tree work beyond routine maintenance. The tree service provider registry will be accessible to the public so that owners, residents, and neighbors can be assured a registered company knowledgeable with tree regulations and best practices is completing work in their neighborhood. 

Plan Review Process Reminder

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On January 10, 2022, SDCI transitioned to providing plan reviews via plan mark-up instead of traditional letters. The primary change for this plan review process is that applicants document responses to comments directly in the plan set provided to them by SDCI at the end of each review cycle instead of sending response letters corresponding to each correction letter.

Announcing the Virtual Applicant Services Center (ASC)

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SDCI closed the in-person Applicant Services Center (ASC).   SDCI has been working to offer new and better ways to connect customers with SDCI expert staff for conversations they’ve missed during the pandemic.  We are excited to announce that we have launched a Virtual Applicant Services Center (Virtual ASC).  You can now receive responses to your questions without coming to downtown Seattle. In the future, we will be offering targeted in-person service on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower to serve customers who need assistance with accessing our online services or who need to pay fees in cash. 

New Zoning Name – Neighborhood Residential Zones

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On December 15, 2021, Mayor Durkan signed Ordinance 126509, which changes the name of “Single Family” zones to “Neighborhood Residential” zones.

Seattle’s Land Use Code and the official zoning maps divide the city geographically into zoning districts (e.g., single-family residential, multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). Ordinance 126509 applies the new zone name by dividing the neighborhood residential areas into four zones, based on pre-existing minimum required lot sizes: Single-family 9600 (SF 9600), Single-family 7200 (SF 7200), Single-family 5000 (SF 5000), and Residential Small Lot (RSL).