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Posts categorized under Codes Archives - Page 4 of 8 - Building Connections

New Rules Require Seattle Tree Service Providers to Register With the City

August 1, 2022

The City Council recently passed Council Bill 120207 requiring 1) tree service providers to register with the City of Seattle before conducting commercial tree work and consultations on private property and 2) property owners to post a public notice on-site before any tree work beyond routine maintenance. The tree service provider registry will be accessible to the public so that owners, residents, and neighbors can be assured a registered company knowledgeable with tree regulations and best practices is completing work in their neighborhood. 

Filed Under: Building Connections, CodesTagged With:

New Zoning Name – Neighborhood Residential Zones

May 31, 2022

On December 15, 2021, Mayor Durkan signed Ordinance 126509, which changes the name of “Single Family” zones to “Neighborhood Residential” zones. Seattle’s Land Use Code and the official zoning maps divide the city geographically into zoning districts (e.g., single-family residential, multifamily residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). Ordinance 126509 applies the new zone name by dividing the neighborhood residential areas into four zones, based on pre-existing minimum required lot sizes: Single-family 9600 (SF 9600), Single-family 7200 (SF 7200), Single-family 5000 (SF 5000), and Residential Small Lot (RSL).

Filed Under: Building Connections, Codes

Revised Policy for Use of Fire Walls in Lieu of Substantial Alterations

April 5, 2022

Substantial alterations are a part of the Seattle Residential Code (SRC) that is applied when a large percentage of the house is being renovated or a large addition is being constructed; SRC Section R107.9. The requirements of substantial alterations are to update the house to the current code for major life safety items of fire, egress, and seismic. Substantial alterations may be required when an attached accessory dwelling unit (AADU) is created as an addition to an existing house. Traditionally, SDCI has given a break from substantial alterations when an AADU is being created in an existing house to support the housing need in Seattle, though this break has not been given when a new addition to a house is for an AADU. Recently, SDCI has revised the policy to allow fire wall construction in compliance with Seattle Building Code 706 to separate a new addition from an existing dwelling unit per SRC 107.5.

Filed Under: Building Connections, CodesTagged With: ,

Tree Protections Update

February 28, 2022

SDCI, in consultation with the Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE), has prepared draft tree protection updates to amend Title 23 (Land Use Code) and Title 25 (Tree Protection Code). We are also proposing two draft Director’s Rules. These updates respond to direction from the City Council to explore the strategies… [ Keep reading ]

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Energy Code Tips – New & Updated

December 1, 2021

Our new Tip 424, Heat Pump Water Heating for Commercial and Multifamily Buildings, has been posted on the SDCI Tips page. For permit applications filed beginning January 1, 2022, central domestic water heating systems in hotel and multifamily buildings must utilize heat pumps, rather than conventional gas or electric resistance systems. (In December, City Council will consider extending this requirement to include other commercial buildings with substantial water heating loads. That requirement, if approved, would take effect later in 2022.)

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New Seattle Laws Impact Tenant Relocation Assistance License Process

October 29, 2021

Several recent changes to Seattle laws impact residential properties that require a Tenant Relocation License. The Right of First Refusal, SMC 7.24.030.J, requires owners to offer a lease renewal to existing tenants when their term lease is expiring unless there is just cause. To obtain just cause for development activity, you must obtain a Tenant Relocation License. Therefore, all properties that are tenant-occupied at the time of the permit application need to go through the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO) process regardless of whether the tenants have a term lease or are month-to-month. We highly recommend that you submit a service request for TRAO when you receive the notification that your project may require a license. If you wait until the end of the permitting process, your permits may be significantly delayed. You can submit a service request by calling (206) 615-0808.

Filed Under: Building Connections, CodesTagged With: ,

New Code Interpretation for Fire Wall Continuity

October 29, 2021

SDCI recently published a new code interpretation, 706.5 Fire Wall Horizontal Continuity, to clarify our policy for fire wall continuity. To encourage the development of more affordable housing, the Seattle Building Code was amended in 2018 to allow an additional story of Type IIIA wood construction. This is allowed as long as additional safety measures are provided, including fire walls to subdivide the building into compartments.

Filed Under: Building Connections, Codes

Stormwater Code and Manual Q&A Sessions and Online Training

August 3, 2021

The City of Seattle Stormwater Code and Manual became effective July 1, 2021. Please visit our Stormwater Code website as a great deal has changed with this update. We know there will be a lot of questions about the changes, so we are hosting live question and answer sessions every Wednesday this August. These are small, informal sessions to answer any question that you have. SDCI has also prepared online training materials that you can view at any time. 

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Heat Pump Refrigerant Line Insulation Requirements Under Seattle Energy Code

July 13, 2021

Recently there has been confusion on interpreting the insulation requirements for refrigerant lines connecting the indoor and outdoor units of heat pumps.  The following are SDCI’s requirements for insulating refrigerant lines and how they differ between residential buildings and commercial buildings.

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SEPA Decision for Seattle’s Permanent Floodplain Development Regulations

July 1, 2021

In February of 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) required Seattle to update our floodplain regulations to include FEMA’s new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS). FEMA’s adoption of the new map and study also included an audit of Seattle’s floodplain regulations. Through the audit, FEMA identified several places in Seattle’s code that needed to be amended in order to comply with the minimum standards in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). FEMA included the following required amendments in their audit: new definitions and updates to existing definitions to meet minimum standards; updates to the regulatory floodway development standards; and the inclusion of newly mapped coastal high hazard flood zone (VE zone) and required regulations for this zone.

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