Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Don’t Miss the Seattle Home Fair

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Once again, SDCI is hosting our popular Seattle Home Fair. We’ve moved our Home Fairs from winter to fall! We wanted to be able to answer your questions in time for you to apply for, and receive, that construction permit for your planned spring/summer renovation project. We’re holding six virtual lectures on October 14, 2023. There’s also an in-person event at the Filipino Community Center on October 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Seattle Code Delay Update

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The Washington state 2021 Construction Codes effective date is currently Oct 29, 2023. The target 2021 Seattle Code implementation date is delayed to no sooner than early 2024 as we continue our City ordinance process. Seattle cannot implement these codes any sooner than the state effective date. 

New Design Review Exemptions

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On August 14, 2023, the City Council amended the land use code to make two important changes to the design review program aimed at encouraging additional low income housing. The first change permanently exempts low income housing projects from the Design Review program while still allowing design departures that would result in additional housing. The second change to the land use code provides a new Design Review exemption for projects that meet Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) requirements by providing units on site (the performance option under the Land Use Code). The same set of departures available to low income housing projects are available to these performance projects.

Updated Liquefaction-Prone Area Map

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SDCI has updated the Environmentally Critical Areas (ECA) Map for Liquefaction-Prone areas. Liquefaction occurs when loose, saturated soils lose their strength due to strong ground shaking (usually from earthquakes). Details of the update are described in Director’s Rule 2-2023, Update of ECA Liquefaction-Prone Areas Map, which was effective August 30, 2023. You can view the new liquefaction-prone ECA layer on our GIS map. 

New Code Interpretation for Minimum Number of Plumbing Fixtures Reduction for Facilities Serving R-2 Amenity Areas

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SDCI recently published a new 2018-SBC code interpretation, SBC 2902.1 Minimum Number of Fixtures Reduction for Facilities Serving R-2 Amenity Areas. This interpretation explains that SDCI will allow a 1 water closet and 1 lavatory reduction in the minimum number of fixtures required at plumbing facilities serving apartment building amenity spaces like lounges, fitness rooms, and roof decks when these spaces are only used by the building’s residents and their private guests. 

New Tree Protection Code

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The City of Seattle is committed to protecting our urban tree canopy. Canopy cover is one important measure of the health of the urban forest. Urban trees provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits, including wildlife habitat, neighborhood livability, and improved public health outcomes.

The Seattle City Council recently passed Council Bill 120534 establishing new tree protection requirements on private property in Seattle. The new regulations went into effect on July 30, 2023. It is important for property owners, tenants, developers, and tree service providers to understand the new regulations to know when a tree is protected and when a tree may be removed. We are currently developing public information to help explain the new regulations. Please watch for updates on our Trees & Codes website, including links to any new or revised Tips and Director’s Rules.

Save the Date: Seattle Home Fair

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Once again, SDCI is hosting our popular Seattle Home Fair. We’ve moved our Home Fairs from winter to fall! We wanted to be able to answer your questions in time for you to apply for, and receive, that construction permit for your planned spring/summer renovation project. We’re holding six virtual lectures on October 14, 2023. There’s also an in-person event at the Filipino Community Center on October 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. RSVPs are encouraged.

July Publication Updates

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We have updated three Tips and published two draft Director’s Rules and two final Director’s Rules about trees. The final Director’s Rules and one of the draft rules are about the new tree code.

New Tree Protection Ordinance Goes into Effect on July 30

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Beginning July 30, Seattle’s new tree protection ordinance will take effect for all trees on private property. The new tree code (Ordinance 126821) strikes a balance by protecting and growing a healthy tree canopy citywide and addressing inequities in tree canopy distribution that impact historically underserved communities while supporting housing production needed during a homelessness and housing crisis. 

As shown in the Office of Sustainability and Environment’s 2021 Tree Canopy Assessment, most tree loss is occurring outside of development and in areas zoned Neighborhood Residential (formerly Single Family) and Parks and Natural Areas. Losses in these two areas account for 78% of the total canopy loss between 2016 and 2021. The assessment also showed the canopy loss is not happening equitably, with neighborhoods most impacted by racial and economic injustices starting with less canopy coverage and losing more canopy than the citywide average. 

Under the new ordinance, the City will add tree protections for over 157,000 more trees by limiting removal of trees on properties not undergoing redevelopment and requiring replacement for any tree removed that is 12” or greater in diameter. Removal of hazardous trees will also require tree replacement, and there are new incentives for property owners and builders to retain trees.