June Publication Updates
July 1, 2026
Tips Updated Pulled from Circulation
Can AI speed construction permitting in Seattle? What we learned from testing automated application screening.
June 17, 2026
Seattle’s housing costs continue to rise alongside the cost of building new homes. While many factors contribute to these trends, the City can directly influence one critical driver: the construction permitting process. Construction permit applications go through review by City staff to make sure they follow zoning, safety, and other… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle’s Salvage Lumber Warehouse is Now Open
June 1, 2026
On the first day of May at a warehouse in SODO, Mayor Katie Wilson cut the wood ribbon with a chainsaw to celebrate the opening of the Salvage Lumber Warehouse. The new business is supported by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded to Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)…. [ Keep reading ]
How Housing Inspections Protect Tenants: Complaint‑Based Enforcement and What We Look For
June 1, 2026
Our Code Compliance Inspectors play a key role in keeping Seattle’s housing safe. Most inspections are complaint based, meaning we respond when tenants, neighbors, or community members report a potential violation. When a complaint comes in, inspectors verify the conditions, determine whether code requirements are being met, and work with… [ Keep reading ]
Seasonal Vegetation Overgrowth – What We’re Seeing This Season
June 1, 2026
As warmer weather arrives, our code enforcement inspectors are seeing a sharp increase in overgrown vegetation affecting sidewalks, rights‑of‑way, and building access. These conditions can create safety hazards for pedestrians, limit visibility, and impede emergency access. What we look for during inspections: How property owners can help: Thank you to… [ Keep reading ]
FBI Warns Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials
June 1, 2026
The FBI has issued a warning about a nationwide phishing scam in which criminals impersonate city and county planning and zoning officials to solicit fraudulent permit-related payments. These emails often include accurate permit details and professional-looking formatting but originate from non-government domains and pressure recipients to pay via wire transfer… [ Keep reading ]
SDCI’s 2025 Accomplishments
June 1, 2026
We’ve made meaningful progress this year to support housing, improve services, and strengthen our permitting and regulatory systems. We advanced affordable housing initiatives, supported office‑to‑residential conversions, expanded shelter capacity, and continued to invest in future development through Mandatory Housing Affordability funding. We also improved our core services. The City Council… [ Keep reading ]
The Lab at City Light wants your feedback! Help inform future offerings.
June 1, 2026
The Lab at City Light – City Light’s education and training resource for efficient electrification – wants feedback from contractors like you! The Lab is conducting a survey with the research firm TRC to gather your perspectives on trainings and materials that would be most helpful and relevant to your… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standards & Seattle Energy Code Webinar
May 4, 2026
Join us on June 8 at 12 PM for a free webinar, Seattle Building Emissions Performance Standards & Seattle Energy Code for existing buildings: What BEPS & SEC requirements apply to your building? Topics covered in the webinar include: Register to attend the webinar.