Find Posts By Topic

Posts categorized under Building Connections Archives - Page 2 of 36 - Building Connections

Engineer Sought to Join the Seattle Design Commission

Mayor Bruce A Harrell is recruiting an Engineer to join the Seattle Design Commission. The two-year term will start in March 2024. We are looking for a Licensed Professional Engineer who is interested in helping to elevate the design of City capital projects (parks, community centers, fire stations, etc.) that will have a long-term effect, and which can produce environmental outcomes that benefit the public.

September Publication Updates

SDCI published two updated Tips, on addressing and Design Review, and two final Director’s Rules, on URMs and Trees.

SDCI Director Budget Message

Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell is releasing the 2023-2024 Proposed Mid-Biennial Budget Adjustments. This budget reflects Mayor Harrell’s continued commitment to, and investment in, bold actions that address urgent needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell’s proposal continues work initiated in the 2023 Adopted Budget to invest in creating safe, healthy, and thriving communities. This budget continues supporting efforts to deliver effective public safety, build affordable housing and address the homelessness crisis, activate our Downtown, and advance opportunity and equity for all.

Don’t Miss the Seattle Home Fair

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

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

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

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

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. 

August Publication Updates

SDCI published several updated Tips, two draft Director’s Rules about trees, and three final Director’s Rules.

New Tree Protection Code

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.