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

February 1, 2024

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.

Filed Under: Emergency PreparednessTagged With: ,

2021 Seattle Construction Code Update

February 1, 2024

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.  

Filed Under: CodesTagged With:

Reminder: SDCI Opens Information Desk

February 1, 2024

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. 

Filed Under: Department UpdatesTagged With:

January Publication Updates

February 1, 2024

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

Filed Under: Document Updates

Members sought for Seattle’s Design Review Boards

January 5, 2024

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.

Filed Under: Design ReviewTagged With: ,

SDCI Opens Information Desk

January 2, 2024

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. 

Filed Under: Department UpdatesTagged With:

Parcel Data Viewer Retired

January 2, 2024

SDCI has officially retired the Parcel Data Viewer tool. We retired the Parcel Data Viewer tool because it was critically out of date. In attempting to repair the data sources, our IT partners determined that updating the tool was not feasible due to its age and structure.

Filed Under: Department UpdatesTagged With:

2024 Fee Changes

December 27, 2023

On January 1, 2024, SDCI will be implementing an inflationary increase of 2% to most fees. These fee increases will result in an SDCI base hourly rate of $257/hour and a land use hourly rate of $439/hour. While most permitting fees will see these increases, electrical, refrigeration, and furnace fees will not be increasing in 2024 following a series of reductions SDCI has made to these fees over the past three years.

Filed Under: Department UpdatesTagged With:

Comment Opportunity for Updated Tree Requirements Tip

December 27, 2023

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) recently updated several of our Tips related to the Tree Protection Code (SMC 25.11) to provide additional clarification on our current tree regulations. In particular, SDCI substantially updated Tip 242A, Tree Requirements Associated with Development, to include information related to the basic tree protection area and the allowance to remove Tier 2 trees in certain instances. Tips are one tool the department uses to explain complex codes to the public and help customers understand the regulations. Tips also give guidance on how applicants should show compliance with codes in a permit application.

Filed Under: Department UpdatesTagged With: ,

New Energy Storage System Requirements

December 27, 2023

SDCI is pleased to announce that we will be supporting the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) with the addition of some new steps in our permitting process. These new steps will allow us to ensure all energy storage systems installed in Seattle will receive the proper permits and reviews needed to keep our buildings safe. We are making this change in response to new requirements in the state and international fire codes. 

Filed Under: CodesTagged With: