On January 1, 2024, SDCI will be implementing an inflationary increase of 2% to most fees. These fee increases will result in an SDCI base hourly rate of $257/hour and a land use hourly rate of $439/hour. While most permitting fees will see these increases, electrical, refrigeration, and furnace fees will not be increasing in 2024 following a series of reductions SDCI has made to these fees over the past three years.
Comment Opportunity for Updated Tree Requirements Tip
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) recently updated several of our Tips related to the Tree Protection Code (SMC 25.11) to provide additional clarification on our current tree regulations. In particular, SDCI substantially updated Tip 242A, Tree Requirements Associated with Development, to include information related to the basic tree protection area and the allowance to remove Tier 2 trees in certain instances. Tips are one tool the department uses to explain complex codes to the public and help customers understand the regulations. Tips also give guidance on how applicants should show compliance with codes in a permit application.
New Energy Storage System Requirements
SDCI is pleased to announce that we will be supporting the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) with the addition of some new steps in our permitting process. These new steps will allow us to ensure all energy storage systems installed in Seattle will receive the proper permits and reviews needed to keep our buildings safe. We are making this change in response to new requirements in the state and international fire codes.
Home Fair Presentations Now Available
We’ve finally posted all the videos and related information from October’s virtual Home Fair presentations. Check them out on our Home Fair web page! Please send Home Fair feedback, for both virtual and in-person, to wendy.shark@seattle.gov.
Seattle URMs: 2023 Year in Review
Reflecting on seismic activity in 2023, nine deadly and damaging earthquakes occurred globally. In February, Turkey and Syria experienced two earthquakes over magnitude 7.5 that killed over 59 thousand people. In September, Morocco experienced a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that killed almost three thousand people. In October, Afghanistan experienced a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that killed over one thousand people. In November, Nepal experienced a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that killed over 150 people. In December, China experienced a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that killed 149 people. Four additional earthquakes in Afghanistan, Ecuador, Turkey, and the Philippines each resulted in deaths of ten or more people. While earthquakes cannot be predicted, we know Seattle will experience a damaging earthquake in the future and we can predict how buildings will perform in an earthquake. 2023 was a year of progress and milestones in advancing the seismic resilience of Seattle’s unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, buildings that are prone to collapse in an earthquake.
Fremont Watershed Building Fulfills Living Building Pilot Program Requirements
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is excited to announce the Watershed building in Fremont is our third Living Building Pilot building to successfully complete the pilot program green building requirements. The Watershed building recently received Petal Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) and met the requirements to reduce energy and water use. Only two other pilot projects have successfully completed the process—the Bullitt Center and Stone 34.
Accela Awards the City of Seattle a 2023 Trendsetter Award
Employees from SDCI and Seattle IT attended the Accela annual conference, Accelarate, September 23 – 27 in Washington D.C. The City of Seattle was honored at the recognition luncheon with an Accelarate Trendsetter Award for “Connecting in Purpose – Permitting System Integration” for the Seattle Services Portal (on the Accela platform). The annual conference and Trendsetter Awards are opportunities for agencies in the US to connect and learn from each other to move governments forward to improve services to the public. The award recognizes government agencies as well as individuals who embrace technology and digital modernization to deliver reliable services to their communities.
Make Sure Your Condominium Address is Valid
SDCI is the Addressing Authority for the City of Seattle. It is essential that assigned addresses are accurate so the property can reliably receive the following services: mail delivery, utilities, and emergency services.
When King County records condominiums as part of the process to assign assessor parcel numbers, they sometimes assign addresses that do not match the addresses we have on record at SDCI. This is particularly prevalent in neighborhood residential (NR) zones with attached and detached accessory dwelling units.
Introducing Our New Residential Inspection Quick Sheets!
SDCI is committed to providing you with the best possible service and support throughout your residential building projects. We understand that the inspection process can sometimes feel overwhelming, and that’s why we are thrilled to introduce our new Residential Inspection Quick Sheets!
Our Residential Inspection Quick Sheets are guides designed to help give transparency to the inspection process by understanding what our inspectors are looking for during inspections.
Change in SDOT Permitting Requirements for Projecting Signs
Effective October 13, 2023, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is no longer requiring long-term, renewing permits for signs that project from private property over public right-of-way. This includes blade signs, wall signs, under-canopy signs, awning graphics, etc. Please see SDOT Director’s Rule 05-2023: Signs Projecting over Public Right-of-Way for details on this change in requirements. Review the SDOT Public Space Management webpage, Signs, Awnings, and Graphics over the Right-of-Way, to better understand which permits are no longer required.
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