On January 1, 2024, SDCI will be implementing an inflationary increase of 2% to most fees. These fee increases will result in an SDCI base hourly rate of $257/hour and a land use hourly rate of $439/hour. While most permitting fees will see these increases, electrical, refrigeration, and furnace fees will not be increasing in 2024 following a series of reductions SDCI has made to these fees over the past three years.
Comment Opportunity for Updated Tree Requirements Tip
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) recently updated several of our Tips related to the Tree Protection Code (SMC 25.11) to provide additional clarification on our current tree regulations. In particular, SDCI substantially updated Tip 242A, Tree Requirements Associated with Development, to include information related to the basic tree protection area and the allowance to remove Tier 2 trees in certain instances. Tips are one tool the department uses to explain complex codes to the public and help customers understand the regulations. Tips also give guidance on how applicants should show compliance with codes in a permit application.
New Energy Storage System Requirements
SDCI is pleased to announce that we will be supporting the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) with the addition of some new steps in our permitting process. These new steps will allow us to ensure all energy storage systems installed in Seattle will receive the proper permits and reviews needed to keep our buildings safe. We are making this change in response to new requirements in the state and international fire codes.
Master Use Permits’ Lifespan Extended to 6 years, Simplified Renewal Process
Seattle is experiencing challenging conditions. This is affecting the ability of people who have permits or will soon obtain permits to start their projects. Availability of financing and other costs influence whether or when many of these projects can proceed.
Home Fair Presentations Now Available
We’ve finally posted all the videos and related information from October’s virtual Home Fair presentations. Check them out on our Home Fair web page! Please send Home Fair feedback, for both virtual and in-person, to wendy.shark@seattle.gov.
Seattle URMs: 2023 Year in Review
Reflecting on seismic activity in 2023, nine deadly and damaging earthquakes occurred globally. In February, Turkey and Syria experienced two earthquakes over magnitude 7.5 that killed over 59 thousand people. In September, Morocco experienced a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that killed almost three thousand people. In October, Afghanistan experienced a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that killed over one thousand people. In November, Nepal experienced a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that killed over 150 people. In December, China experienced a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that killed 149 people. Four additional earthquakes in Afghanistan, Ecuador, Turkey, and the Philippines each resulted in deaths of ten or more people. While earthquakes cannot be predicted, we know Seattle will experience a damaging earthquake in the future and we can predict how buildings will perform in an earthquake. 2023 was a year of progress and milestones in advancing the seismic resilience of Seattle’s unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, buildings that are prone to collapse in an earthquake.
December Publication Updates
We updated five Tips, published a final Director’s Rule on relocation assistance eligibility, and rescinded several outdated Director’s Rules.
SDCI Launches Zendesk for Tenant Relocation Assistance Holds
We launched Zendesk for developers and owners needing assistance with tenant relocation (TRAO) holds on their permits. Zendesk offers a new way for customers to ask us questions about TRAO holds on their permits as well as those wanting to begin the TRAO process. Zendesk replaced the complaint line and the Seattle Services Portal for new requests from owners and developers. If you have a pending TRAO request submitted through either the complaint line or the Seattle Servies Portal, please do not submit a another request through Zendesk.
Don’t Forget to Inspect Storm Drain Inserts
With the onset of the rainy season, SDCI is reminding builders working in Seattle to inspect and maintain any temporary storm drain inserts they have installed as part of construction projects. The inserts, also known as storm drain socks, are used on many construction projects to catch sediment not captured by other required construction-related erosion control measures.
Retiring Parcel Data Viewer
We are planning to retire the Parcel Data Viewer tool in mid-December, however all of the data displayed on that tool may be found using the King County Parcel Viewer and SDCI’s GIS mapping tool.
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