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Seattle’s Tree Protection Regulations Include Limits on Tree Removal and May Require Tree Replacement as Part of a Development Permit

July 1, 2026

Seattle’s tree protection regulations include limits on tree removal and may require tree replacement as part of a development permit. Tier 2 tree removal on sites undergoing development may be allowed if the standards in Seattle’s tree protection standards (Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 25.11) are met. Ordinance No. 127300, effective January 21,… [ Keep reading ]

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

June Publication Updates

July 1, 2026

Tips Updated Pulled from Circulation

Filed Under: Building Connections, Document Updates

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 ]

Filed Under: PermitsTagged With:

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 ]

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With: ,

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 ]

Filed Under: Building Connections

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 ]

Filed Under: Building Connections

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 ]

Filed Under: Building Connections

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 ]

Filed Under: Building Connections

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 ]

Filed Under: Building ConnectionsTagged With:

May Publication Updates

June 1, 2026

Tips Updated Pulled from Circulation

Filed Under: Building Connections, Document Updates