Find Posts By Topic

Seattle City Light Adopts New Standard for Solar Panel Inverters

Beginning this year, all proposed inverter-based Distributed Energy Resources (DER) must use inverters certified under Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1741 Supplement B (Standard for Safety Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use with Distributed Energy Resources, Supplement B and labeled as UL1741-SB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547-2018 (Standard for Interconnection Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces).

February Publication Updates

SDCI updated two Tips on MHA payments for developer contributions.

Seattle Tree Service Providers: New Single Registration for SDCI and SDOT

Hiring tree service providers knowledgeable in the City’s regulations ensures that your provider knows and understands the City’s regulations and policies for proper tree care and protection. Tree service providers are required to be registered with the City to do certain tree work on private property (registry administered by the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)) and in the public rights-of-way (registry administered by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)). These two departments previously managed separate application and monitoring processes for their respective tree service provider registries. We are happy to announce that the City of Seattle launched a single registration process for SDCI and SDOT Tree Service Providers on February 22, 2024. The new registration process helps create a more streamlined and efficient experience for tree service providers and a more automated and efficient process for staff.

Coming Soon: Seattle Tree Service Providers May Submit a Single Application to Register with SDCI & SDOT

The City of Seattle is committed to protecting our urban canopy. Trees add value to your property and the surrounding community. Canopy cover is one important measure of the health of the urban forest. Urban trees provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits, including wildlife habitat, neighborhood livability, and improved public health outcomes. Hiring tree service providers knowledgeable in the City’s regulations ensures that your provider knows and understands the City’s regulations and policies for proper tree care. Tree service providers are required to be registered with the City to do certain tree work on private property (registry administered by SDCI) and in the public rights-of-way (registry administered by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)). These two departments currently manage separate application and monitoring processes for their respective tree service provider registries. In late February, the tree service provider registration application processes for SDCI and SDOT are being combined into a single application. This single application will help create a more streamlined and efficient experience for tree service providers and a more automated and efficient process for City staff.

City Seeks Feedback on Funding Option to Protect Buildings During an Earthquake

The City of Seattle is holding a listening session for developers and owners of URM buildings for a proposed new Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program to support seismic retrofits of URM buildings. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) and Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) are hosting this meeting on Tuesday, February 27 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in Seattle City Hall. You can register and view the meeting agenda for this in-person event on the Unreinforced Masonry Buildings website.

2021 Seattle Construction Code Update

The Seattle construction codes are being updated to the 2021 code editions and include the building, residential, existing building, energy, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, wildland urban interface, and fire codes. The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code is also being updated to the 2023 edition.   The City of Seattle adopts the Seattle construction codes after Washington state adopts the state construction codes. The Washington state 2021 Construction Codes effective date is currently March 15, 2024. The target implementation date for the 2021 Seattle Construction Codes is delayed to no sooner than July 1, 2024, as we continue our City ordinance process.  

Reminder: SDCI Opens Information Desk

SDCI is pleased to announce it has opened an information desk on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Avenue. The fastest way to get help is still through our Virtual Application Services Center (ASC). The information desk serves customers who need technical or language assistance to use the Virtual ASC. The SDCI information desk is staffed by a single person who will provide assistance with customer questions. If needed, they will connect customers with an SDCI expert via our online services. Customers can also visit the information desk for help with making an in-person payment. 

January Publication Updates

SDCI published three updated Tips on tenant relocation, property information research, and buildings unfit for habitation.

Members sought for Seattle’s Design Review Boards

Passionate about design or architecture? Mayor Bruce Harrell is looking for qualified candidates to fill 26 upcoming openings on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. Board members evaluate the design of new buildings based on citywide and neighborhood-specific design guidelines. The boards review large mixed-use developments, multifamily housing, and commercial projects. The volunteer positions will start on April 4, 2024. Ideal candidates are professionals in the design and development fields who have proven skills and established careers. We also are seeking community and business leaders interested in civic engagement and helping to shape new development in their neighborhoods. The City of Seattle encourages applicants from all backgrounds and those with diverse life experiences.

SDCI Opens Information Desk

SDCI is pleased to announce it has opened an information desk on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Avenue. The fastest way to get help is still through our Virtual Application Services Center (ASC). The information desk serves customers who need technical or language assistance to use the Virtual ASC. The SDCI information desk is staffed by a single person who will provide assistance with customer questions. If needed, they will connect customers with an SDCI expert via our online services. Customers can also visit the information desk for help with making an in-person payment.