April Publication Updates
April 8, 2026
Director’s Rules
Stormwater Code and Manual Update – Notice of Rulemaking and Public Comment
March 2, 2026
The City of Seattle is in the process of updating Seattle’s Stormwater Code and Stormwater Manual as required by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The joint SDCI/SPU Draft Directors’ Rule (the Stormwater Manual) will be released for final public comment the week of March 16, 2026, and will be… [ Keep reading ]
Remembering the Nisqually Earthquake, 25 years later
March 2, 2026
On February 28, 2001, the Nisqually earthquake shook the Puget Sound region to its core. Twenty-five years later, on February 26, 2026, experts in seismology, emergency management, structural engineering, and public policy revisited that moment — grounding the conversation in lived experience while challenging nearly 100 attendees to rethink how… [ Keep reading ]
Public Hearing on Legislation Adopting Floodplain Development Regulations
March 2, 2026
The Seattle City Council’s Land Use and Sustainability Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 4, at 9:30 AM, about Council Bill (CB) 121152. The meeting will be held at: Seattle City HallCity Council Chambers, 2nd floor600 4th AvenueSeattle, WA 98104 The CB would: In February of 2020,… [ Keep reading ]
New Middle Housing Codes to Boost Housing Supply
March 2, 2026
The City of Seattle recently adopted ordinances 127375 and 127376 to boost housing supply and options in Seattle’s residential zones. Much of Seattle is zoned as Neighborhood Residential (NR), where most of the changes in the ordinances apply. This zone is characterized by moderate density housing that includes: Other residential… [ Keep reading ]
New SEPA Requirements
March 2, 2026
On February 18, 2026, Mayor Katie Wilson signed two Ordinances (Council Bill 121093 and Council Bill 121135) updating the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review requirements. The changes will take effect March 20. This simplifies permits by eliminating most SEPA reviews citywide for new housing. This should shorten the permitting… [ Keep reading ]
Public Right-of-Way Construction Pause During 2026 FIFA World Cup
March 2, 2026
SDOT is limiting most construction work in busy areas from June 8 to July 7, 2026, to help keep Seattle moving during the FIFA World Cup. What the Construction Pause means for you By June 7, you may need to stop working and clear the right-of-way if your project restricts… [ Keep reading ]
No-Cost Program for Multifamily Buildings Larger than 20,000 Square Feet
March 2, 2026
We’re excited to share that Seattle City Light is offering a new no-cost program for multifamily buildings that are larger than 20,000 square feet. The Multifamily Strategic Energy Management (MSEM) program will launch in March! This coaching and training program will help multifamily buildings lower their energy consumption, prepare to… [ Keep reading ]
Seeking Feedback on Existing Building Code
March 2, 2026
We’re seeking stakeholder feedback on Seattle Existing Building Code Section 311 Substantial Alterations provisions for potential changes as part of the 2024 Seattle Codes development process. The 2024 Seattle Codes are being developed on a compressed schedule, therefore we request any feedback or proposed amendments for SEBC Section 311, be… [ Keep reading ]
2024 Code Adoption Update
March 2, 2026
Our anticipated completion of the adoption and implementation of the 2024 Seattle Codes isn’t expected sooner than May of 2027. We are updating the 2021 building, existing, energy, residential, mechanical, fuel gas, and plumbing codes to include base code changes from organizations like the International Code Council and new amendments from… [ Keep reading ]