Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Structural Anchorage for Mechanical Units

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SDCI has changed the process for accepting structural anchorage for mechanical units. This process change can speed up our application review and reduce the number of correction cycles.

We now accept deferred submittals for the structural anchorage of mechanical units when the mechanical review is included in construction (6xxxxxx-CN) or phased (6xxxxxx-PH) records. However, the applicant may choose to include the details in the initial plan submittal. For stand-alone mechanical permits (6xxxxxx-ME), you must submit the structural anchorage information at intake.

Inspection Restart of Some Construction Projects

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On Friday, April 24, Governor Inslee issued a Proclamation implementing a “Phase 1 Restart” of construction in our state and on Wednesday, April 29 the Governor issued additional guidance on construction. This allows a phased restart of private construction activities that are low-risk and adhere to strict new COVID-19 Job Site Requirements.  The City of Seattle has issued the following guidelines for construction projects seeking inspections. 

Temporary Changes to Final Survey Review and Recording

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In response to Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Health order, the City of Seattle has closed all customer service areas. This affects SDCI’s Applicant Services Center, Public Resource Center, and 19th floor reception area. As a result, customers cannot currently bring signed surveys to our counter for recording. We have made temporary changes so that we can continue to process your Platting or Lot Boundary Adjustment (LBA) applications.

After we have made a decision or determination about your lot boundary adjustment, we will send survey recording instructions and requirements to you. You will receive those instructions with your published decision or lot boundary adjustment (LBA) determination letter. If you have already received the published decision or LBA determination letter, please follow the instructions below.

Temporary Changes to Land Use Permitting

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On April 3rd, Mayor Durkan announced emergency legislation making temporary land use permitting process changes that prioritize affordable housing, keep projects moving forward by allowing City staff to complete review processes, and allow for robust community participation during this public health emergency by replacing in-person meetings with virtual and electronic outreach.

SDCI Extends Closure of Customer Service Areas to May 4

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On April 6, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan issued an Executive Order to align the City of Seattle’s policies on facility closures and permit suspensions with Governor Inslee’s statewide ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order, which is now extended until at least May 4, 2020. The Governor’s order was first announced on March 23 and bans all gatherings, closes all non-essential businesses unless employees can work from home, and requires all Washingtonians to stay home unless they are engaging in an essential activity.

SDCI Guide to Video Inspections

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Some inspections can now be done as a video inspection. Please read Video Inspections for Some Projects to see if your project might have the option to be conducted by video. To be considered for a video inspection, please confirm the following: The site contact is at least 18 years old or is with an […]

Video Inspections Available for Some Projects

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In response to COVID 19, SDCI Inspection Services is implementing limited video inspections for some inspection types. At this time, we will only perform inspections on essential projects as outlined by the governor’s order and subsequent clarification memo or letters.

Updating the City’s Stormwater Regulations

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The Department of Ecology is requiring Seattle to update our current codes with additional stormwater control regulations as a condition of our NPDES permit. To meet these requirements, we are revising our existing Stormwater Code (SMC 22.800-22.808) and the associated Stormwater Manual (Directors’ Rule 17-2017). These new rules will replace the current drainage control code and Directors’ Rules which are administered jointly by SDCI and Seattle Public Utilities.

2018 Seattle Construction Code Adoption Delayed

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SDCI is in the process of updating Seattle’s construction codes to the 2018 versions of the building, residential, existing buildings, mechanical, energy, fuel gas, and plumbing codes.  We have been aiming for an effective date of July 1, 2020, to align with the effective date of the Washington State building codes.  However, due to many factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19, the effective date of Seattle’s codes will be delayed until November 1, 2020.  If the 2018 Washington State construction codes effective date is delayed past November 1, we will align the effective date of our codes with the State.