Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

Cómo calcular la ocupación de su negocio

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Ante los volúmenes actuales de casos de COVID-19, el gobernador desarrolló un nuevo plan de reapertura que permite operaciones limitadas en espacios interiores. Con el tiempo, el plan permitirá que más actividades bajo techo y negocios incrementen sus operaciones y, al mismo tiempo, limitará la cantidad de personas en el lugar lo que, en el plan de reapertura, se denomina “ocupación”. Para calcular la ocupación reducida que se permite según el plan de reapertura, deberá conocer la densidad de ocupación habitual del lugar y la capacidad máxima permitida según la guía del gobernador para la reapertura.

How to Find Your Business Occupancy

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In response to current volumes of COVID-19 cases, the Governor has developed a new reopening plan which allows limited indoor operations. It will eventually allow more businesses and indoor activities to increase operations while limiting the number of people in the space, referred to as “capacity” in the reopening plan. The technical term is “occupant load.” To find the reduced occupant load allowed under the reopening plan, you will need to know the normal occupant load for your space and the maximum capacity allowed under the Governor’s reopening guidance.

New Effective Date for 2018 Seattle Construction Codes

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The effective date for the 2018 Seattle construction codes is March 15, 2021. This effective date applies to the 2018 Seattle editions of the building, residential, existing building, mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing, electrical, boiler, elevator, and fire codes.  Applicants can submit complete permit applications using either the 2015 or the 2018 versions of the Seattle construction codes between the state’s implementation date of February 1, 2021 and Seattle’s implementation date of March 15, 2021. As of March 15, 2021, SDCI will only accept permit applications that use the 2018 codes.

Don’t Miss Our February Seattle Home Fair

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Join the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections for our Seattle Home Fair on Saturday, February 6, 2021. This virtual, free home fair is your opportunity to ask our experts about our permitting process, building and electrical inspections, soil erosion prevention, and code violations. Don’t miss your chance to get expert advice about your specific project, rental housing, or neighborhood standards.

Seattle Public Utilities’ Design Standards & Guidelines

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is pleased to announce that the SPU Design Standards & Guidelines (DSG) V4.0 is now available on their website.

The DSG covers many aspects of design at SPU, including the design process, permitting, water infrastructure, Drainage & Wastewater infrastructure, electrical, SCADA, and physical security to name a few. It provides guidelines on how SPU does design and a resource for consultants working on City of Seattle projects.

Public Review Period for Draft Stormwater Code/Manual

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Our proposed 2021 Stormwater Code and Manual update is scheduled to be effective in July 2021. Our new rules will replace the current Stormwater code and Directors’ Rules, which are administered jointly by SDCI and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). For more information, visit our Updating Stormwater Regulations Background webpage.

Save the Date: Join Us for Our Seattle Home Fairs

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Join the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) for our Seattle Home Fairs on Saturday, January 30, 2021 and Saturday, February 6, 2021. This year we’re going virtual! Our free home fairs will include helpful information about landslide preparation, earthquake retrofits, tree regulations, and rental housing rules. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask our experts about our permitting process, building and electrical inspections, soil erosion prevention, and code violations. This is your chance to get expert advice about your specific project, rental housing, or housing maintenance standards.

Final Public Review Period for Draft Stormwater Code/Manual Approaching

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Our proposed 2021 Stormwater Code and Manual update is scheduled to be effective in July 2021. Our new rules will replace the current Stormwater Code and Directors’ Rules, which are administered jointly by SDCI and the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). We will post the most recent draft documents on our Updating Stormwater Regulations – Project Documents website during the upcoming public review period from January 11 through February 19. We will also host a public meeting about the draft documents on January 28.

2021 Fee Changes

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The Seattle City Council recently adopted the 2021 budget, including legislation that implements SDCI fee changes in 2021. This year, SDCI did not implement an across-the-board increase in fees but instead was able to make adjustments decreasing several fees. On January 1, 2021, changes to electrical, refrigeration, and furnace fees will go into effect.