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Posts categorized under Department Updates Archives - Building Connections

Side Sewer Permitting & Inspection Moves to SPU 

In June the City’s side sewer permitting and inspection functions partially transitioned from SDCI to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). This first step is part of a change that is expected to be completed by October 1, 2025. What has changed? Customers shouldn’t have noticed any changes on the front or… [ Keep reading ]

SPU to Launch New Utility Cost Sharing and System Development Charge Program 

Seattle is facing a housing affordability crisis. As the city grows and development patterns shift, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is rethinking how development-related infrastructure is funded — aiming to distribute costs more fairly and equitably across the city. On April 23, 2025, Mayor Bruce Harrell introduced legislation to support housing… [ Keep reading ]

SDCI’s Updated Phone System Includes In-Language Support

As part of SDCI’s continuing efforts to improve our customers’ experience and to make it easier to contact staff, SDCI has updated and improved our main phone number, (206) 684-8600. SDCI’s main phone number has new triage phone staff to answer general questions or direct your call to an SDCI… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Services Portal Outage Thursday, July 11, to Monday, July 15

The City of Seattle is upgrading the Seattle Services Portal to a cloud-based platform to improve its reliability and performance. This upgrade will also ensure that our system is always the most current version. As a result, we can bring enhancements and fixes to our customers more quickly. To complete… [ Keep reading ]

Your Voice Matters – Sign-Up for Customer Feedback Opportunities

We need your help to improve SDCI’s services! We use a variety of research methods to get input from our customers including surveys, interviews, and usability studies. Please take this short 5-minute survey to help us determine feedback opportunities that are a good match for you. Signing up means you… [ Keep reading ]

SDCI Recognizes National CPR & AED Week

Last year, SDCI launched two American Red Cross CPR, AED, and First Aid training programs during National CPR & AED week, June 1-7. We’re proud to share that 43% of our inspectors have completed either adult or adult and pediatric CPR certification. This year, SDCI is observing National CPR & AED… [ Keep reading ]

Smoke Control Stakeholders Needed

SDCI is updating the Smoke Control Acceptance test form to increase clarity and maintain alignment with upcoming code changes. This form is used by SDCI to verify all performance requirements in Seattle Building Code section 909 have been met for a newly installed or altered Smoke Control System in the… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle City Light to Require New Standard for Solar Panel Inverters

Beginning July 1, 2024, all proposed inverter-based Distributed Energy Resources (DER) must use inverters certified under Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741 Supplement B (Standard for Safety Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources, Supplement B and labeled as UL1741-SB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Public Utilities Design Standards & Guidelines

Seattle Public Utilities is pleased to announce that the SPU’s Design Standards & Guidelines (DSG) V5.0 is available on the SPU website. Over 20 owners of the guideline chapters and numerous contributors updated the Design Standards & Guidelines to reflect our current design practices. Users of the guidelines are encouraged to provide feedback, which we will consider for future inclusion or revisions.

New Maps for Tree Public Notices & Tree Tracking Data Now Available!

Last year, the City of Seattle adopted new codes and regulations regarding tree protection, tree service providers, and tree public notices. These new regulations help the City balance tree protection and housing production. Trees add value to your property and the surrounding community. 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.