Find Posts By Topic

Major Milestone in URM Earthquake Retrofits

October 2, 2023

SDCI is celebrating a major milestone on the pathway to improving Seattle’s earthquake safety. On September 26, 2023, the Public Safety and Human Services Committee voted 5-0 to refer Resolution 32111 to a Council vote. This resolution supports the development of a voluntary seismic retrofit ordinance that will establish a minimum seismic safety standard for the retrofit of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. URM buildings are classic red brick buildings, generally constructed before 1945, and are prone to collapse in an earthquake. Seattle has 1,100 URM buildings and an 86% chance of experiencing a damaging earthquake in the next 50 years. Adopting a mandatory URM retrofit ordinance continues to be the City’s long-term goal. However, adding a short-term goal to adopt a voluntary URM retrofit ordinance provides assurance to URM building owners that by retrofitting to the established standard, they will be compliant with future mandatory requirements. Resolution 32111 is scheduled for a vote by full Council on October 10.

Filed Under: Emergency PreparednessTagged With: ,

SDCI is Cancelling Construction Permit Applications Older than 24 Months

October 2, 2023

SDCI standard process is to cancel construction permit applications that are more than 24 months old to ensure projects are meeting current standards. When an applicant submits a construction permit application, they are locked into (“vested to”) the codes current at that time. If an application is not issued within 24 months, it has the potential of becoming out of date with updated life safety codes, energy requirements, land use regulations, etc. It is important that applications are issued in a timely manner so that the projects are built to modern codes.

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

SPU Proposes Updated Development-Related Service Charges on November 1

October 2, 2023

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) plans to update charges for development-related services, including water service installations (“taps”), the water connection charge, water main extensions and improvements, hydrant services, drainage and wastewater core taps, and others.

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

Architect Sought to Join the Seattle Design Commission

October 2, 2023

Mayor Bruce A Harrell is recruiting an Architect to join the Seattle Design Commission. The two-year term will start in March 2024. We are looking for a Licensed Architect 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.

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

Engineer Sought to Join the Seattle Design Commission

October 2, 2023

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.

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

September Publication Updates

October 2, 2023

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

Filed Under: Building Connections

SDCI Director Budget Message

September 26, 2023

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.

Filed Under: Building Connections

Don’t Miss the Seattle Home Fair

September 1, 2023

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.

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

Seattle Code Delay Update

September 1, 2023

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. 

Filed Under: Building Connections

New Design Review Exemptions

September 1, 2023

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.

Filed Under: Building Connections, Codes