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Seattle’s URM Retrofit Database: Mapping URMs and Improving Building Safety 

Every May, Building Safety Month, led by the International Code Council, highlights the people, practices, and policies that keep our communities safe. In Seattle, one of the most important building safety efforts underway is reducing the risk posed by unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, older brick structures that can collapse during earthquakes when they haven’t been retrofitted. … [ Keep reading ]

May is Building Safety Month

SDCI proudly recognizes May as Building Safety Month. Building Safety Month is an international campaign led by the International Code Council to raise awareness about the importance of safe and resilient buildings. Building safety impacts everyone in Seattle, from the homes we live in to the places where we work,… [ Keep reading ]

City Light Seeks Contractor Feedback

The Lab at Seattle City Light – City Light’s education and training resource for efficient electrification – is seeking feedback from contractors. The Lab is conducting a survey with the research firm TRC to gather your perspectives on training and materials that would be most helpful and relevant to your… [ Keep reading ]

Changes to Side Sewer Permit Invoicing

Starting May 4, 2026, some existing charges will be shifted to your side sewer permit invoice issued by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). These charges include drainage and wastewater latecomer fees and drainage system development charges (SDCs). Payment of the drainage and wastewater latecomer reimbursement fees (including recording and processing fees)… [ Keep reading ]

April Publication Updates

Tips Pulled from Circulation Director’s Rules Drafts

Brick by Brick: A Budget Win Builds Momentum for #FixtheBricks

Just when it seemed like momentum had stalled on legislation focused on advancing the life-saving retrofits for unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, #FixtheBricks found new footing—this time in the state operating budget. The Fix the Bricks campaign is a public safety and policy advocacy effort focused on making URM buildings safer before the next earthquake. A major focus of the campaign, over… [ Keep reading ]

New Pre-Submittal Conference and Paid Coaching Applications

On March 26, SDCI’s pre-submittal conference and paid coaching applications moved to the Seattle Services Portal. Customers can now apply for these services by: For more information, read How to Submit a Pre-submittal Conference or Paid Coaching Application, or email us.

Changes to Side Sewer Permit Invoicing

In the next couple of months, some existing charges will be shifted to your side sewer permit. These charges include core tap and drainage system development charges (SDCs). Core Tap Charges: Starting April 13, 2026, core taps into drainage and wastewater mains will be included on the side sewer permit… [ Keep reading ]

April Publication Updates

Director’s Rules

Stormwater Code and Manual Update – Notice of Rulemaking and Public Comment

The City of Seattle is in the process of updating Seattle’s Stormwater Code and Stormwater Manual as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The joint SDCI/SPU Draft Directors’ Rule (the Stormwater Manual) will be released for final public comment the week of March 16, 2026, and will be… [ Keep reading ]