Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

SDCI Initial Plan Review Update

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SDCI uses target review dates as a way to prioritize and assign projects. The target dates are based upon goals that we established for “typical” application and demand volumes. These dates help us balance our staffing levels to meet those “typical” goals. We may not be able to meet our target dates if we have an unusually high volume of work compared to our available staffing levels. Recently, the work volume has greatly outweighed our available staffing levels, and we are running longer on our initial review timeframes.

Under our normal workload, we can complete the initial plan review within 2 – 4 weeks of accepting your application for simple and medium projects and within 8 – 12 weeks after we accept your application for complex projects. However, due to the high work volume, we are currently completing initial plan review 2 – 6 weeks later.

2018 Seattle Energy Code Trainings Available

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The 2018 Seattle Energy Code went into effect on March 15, with a number of significant changes from the prior edition that impact HVAC systems, lighting, water heating, energy modeling, and more. These changes continue Seattle’s move towards a high-efficiency, carbon neutral building stock.

2021 Stormwater Code Effective July 1

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The 2021 Stormwater Code and Manual update is on track to become effective on July 1, 2021. The new rules will replace the current Stormwater Code and Directors’ Rules, which are administered jointly by SDCI and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). For more information, visit our Updating Stormwater Regulations Background page. Draft documents of the revised rules and summary of the Stormwater Code changes are available on the Updating Stormwater Regulations Project Documents page. You can find recordings from three of the Public Meetings that highlighted the code changes on the Updating Stormwater Regulations Get Involved page. 

Building Safety Month 2021

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SDCI is once again recognizing the International Code Council’s Building Safety Month for 2021. Building Safety Month is an international educational campaign celebrated in May every year to raise awareness about building safety. The campaign reinforces the need to adopt modern, regularly updated technical building codes, and helps individuals, families, and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.

Seattle Center Sign Code Amendments Public Hearing June 4

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The City Council’s Public Assets and Native Communities (PANC) Committee has scheduled a public hearing, committee discussion, and possible vote on Friday, June 4 at 2 p.m.  The proposed code update would add new sign regulations to the Land Use Code for the majority of the Seattle Center campus. 

SDCI staff worked with Seattle Center staff to create proposed new sign rules that would allow Seattle Center to manage most sign approvals within its campus. This would complete the sign rules for the Center’s sign overlay district, which was created in July 2019 to address signage at Climate Pledge Arena.

SDCI Expands Question & Answer Service

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In May, we expect to roll out an updated version of our Question & Answer Service with an expanded list of topics. You’ll be able to use Q&A to get answers on a wider variety of questions, including additional information requested during intake screening, addressing requests, over-the-counter and trade permits, exemptions, design review, and public notices. You’ll also have the option to request a phone call to discuss questions.