DPD has hired Faith Lumsden as the new Code Compliance Director. She takes over from Karen White, who retired in April. Faith started her new role on July 23.
Rental Housing Registration and Inspection Program Draft Ordinance Now Available for Review
The proposed Rental Housing Registration and Inspection Program has been developed to help address the issue, and will provide for proactive inspections of most rental housing in Seattle. The City currently has a complaint-based system; potential violations are reported to the department, we then inspect, and if violations are found, action is taken to gain compliance. This program will continue. However, not all and perhaps some of the most egregious code violations are never reported due to lack of knowledge of basic code standards, fear of retaliation, or lack of familiarity with the enforcement system.
Proposed Rental Housing Inspection Program
In 2010 the City Council passed Ordinance No. 123311 establishing a Residential Rental Business License and Inspection Program. However, recognizing the need for additional consideration of program details and policy issues, the Council also adopted Resolution No. 31221 requesting DPD to gather stakeholder input and develop program recommendations concerning twelve specific policy questions.
Floating Homes are Here to Stay
Read our “Seattle’s Shoreline Rules to Change” blog story and go to our Shoreline Master Program website to learn more about proposed new shoreline regulations for Seattle.
Chickens and Code Enforcement
The Land Use Code changed last year to increase the number of chickens allowed to be kept on a residential lot from three to eight. Along with this increase in the number of birds, provisions were added prohibiting the keeping of roosters and requiring that coops be located at least ten feet away from dwelling units on adjacent lots. The new code provisions, included as part of comprehensive changes designed to encourage urban agriculture, became effective on September 23, 2010.
Letter to Columbia City Cinema Patrons
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and Fire Department have been working with the Columbia City Cinema for almost a year to try and resolve safety issues, in an effort to retain this important community facility and to ensure the safety of the public. We are disappointed that the operator has chosen to shut down the Cinema rather than address these safety concerns.
New Enhancements to Permit & Complaint Status Tool
As a way of providing better customer service through our online applications, DPD has made new enhancements to the Permit & Complaint Status tool. Some of the changes include:
Proposed Changes to Vacant Building Enforcement
DPD is proposing amendments to the Housing and Building Maintenance Code (Seattle Municipal Code Section 22.206) and the Land Use Code (Seattle Municipal Code Section 23.91), concerning standards for habitable and vacant buildings.
DPD Proposes Amendments to Vacant Building Enforcement
The Department of Planning and Development is proposing amendments to the Housing and Building Maintenance Code (Seattle Municipal Code Section 22.206) and the Land Use Code (Seattle Municipal Code Section 23.91), concerning standards for habitable and vacant buildings. The proposed regulations would consolidate code provisions concerning maintenance of vacant building sites by moving code enforcement […]
Residential Rental Property Licensing and Inspections
The City of Seattle desires effective means to address problem rental housing units and improve rental housing conditions for Seattle residents. While the City recognizes that the great majority of housing units in the city meet basic standards of habitability, we know that there are some units that clearly do not.
