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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
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 ]
—Join Us For Discussions of Lessons Learned to Advance Seismic Safety Initiatives Twenty-five years after the Nisqually earthquake shook the Puget Sound region, the City of Seattle is gathering at Seattle City Hall to remember the day the ground moved—and to continue important conversations about the city’s ongoing seismic preparedness…. [ Keep reading ]
On January 20, 2026 advocates from across Washington gathered in Olympia for Fix the Bricks Lobby Day to support HB 1810, legislation focused on advancing life-saving earthquake retrofits for unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. The day reflected a strong and growing partnership between the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of… [ Keep reading ]
Opening a physical location for your business is a major milestone, but the road to opening day can be complicated. From navigating lease negotiations to understanding building codes, the process can be overwhelming. That is why we are excited to launch a new “Opening A Business Location” guide. This resource… [ Keep reading ]
Landslide season is still here, so the City of Seattle is urging residents to take preventive measures to protect themselves and their property from possible landslides. Did you know that most landslides occur between the months of November and March? The threat of landslides will continue to rise as rainfall… [ Keep reading ]
