Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Renter’s Handbook 2nd Edition Now Available

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It’s finally here! The 2nd edition of the Renter’s Handbook is now available for digital download. Notable changes to the handbook include the addition of the Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance ordinance (EDRA) that went into effect on July 1 as well as information on Notice of Intent to Sell and updates to the expanded Just Cause Eviction provisions.

City Renter Protections Extend Beyond Eviction Moratoria

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After two extensions of the eviction moratoria in 2022, Mayor Harrell in his Executive Order 2022-02 instructed our department to develop clear and accessible information to ensure renters understand the remaining tenant protections in place once the eviction moratoria expire on February 28. While the City of Seattle’s eviction moratoria has been in place for much of the COVID-19 pandemic, renters living in Seattle have other protections that will be in effect after February 28.   

Vacant Building? You have options!

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Vacant buildings have become a familiar part of the Seattle landscape in the last few years. These structures can devastate the neighborhood, undermine quality of life, and diminish property values. Trespassing, vandalism, and other criminal activities occur with some frequency. Fires, such as the one that burnt the former Seven Gables Theater, are all too common.

Tenant Services Grants Request for Proposals

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The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections is seeking proposals for Tenant Services Grants for the City of Seattle. These grants are meant to fund organizations to help tenants learn and enforce their rights and learn about the resources available to them. With all the tenant legislation this year at both the state and City levels, it is more important than ever that tenants understand what these new laws mean for them.

Increased Oversight of Vacant Buildings

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New processes for inspection of vacant buildings took effect on June 1, 2019. The changes add a wider range of properties to the City’s Vacant Building Monitoring program, including all properties with active development proposals containing a vacant building. The frequency of inspections increased from once a quarter to once a month. We estimate that this will add approximately 1,200 new properties to the program this year and can reduce the risk of vacant buildings becoming a blight on the community. In the past, SDCI monitored around 100 properties each year with consistent vacant building violations.

Can You Cut That Tree?

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SDCI Code Compliance enforces violations of the Tree Protection Code and the Regulations for Environmentally Critical Areas related to tree-cutting. Trees serve an important environmental function as well as adding beauty to our city. Our trees may be unnecessarily and unlawfully cut, sometimes at the instruction of a real estate agent or a tree company, because people are unaware of the rules about tree-cutting. There are several factors you should consider before deciding to remove a tree.

Revised Rat Abatement Forms

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We revised the rat abatement forms required for getting demolition permits. Under the new process, applicants will file a declaration with their permit application affirming they understand the rat abatement requirement. There will be no hold on issuance of the demolition permit. At the first ground disturbance inspection, prior to the start of demolition, the applicant or contractor will provide a certification from a pest control company. The certification will confirm the date the rat abatement program started and confirm that the abatement program will continue until demolition actually starts.