The Washington Department of Ecology approved Seattle’s updated Shoreline Master Program on June 1. It will take effect on June 15. Local shoreline master programs are a cornerstone of the state’s Shoreline Management Act, approved by voters in 1971. Seattle’s shoreline program will result in the balanced management of nearly 100 miles of marine, lake, and estuarine shorelines throughout the city.
Multifamily Code Update Legislation is Now in Place
The multifamily ordinance, 123495, became effective on April 19, 2011. The ordinance establishes new lowrise zoning and a streamlined administrative design review process for townhouse development. Some of the new standards apply across zones, such as applying the existing shoreline code height measurement technique. Permit applicants have the option to use the existing height measurement technique or the new one until July 18, 2011.
2009 Seattle Energy Code Now in Effect for Nonresidential Spaces
The 2009 Seattle Energy Code is now in effect for nonresidential spaces. The revised requirements for residential spaces will take effect on January 1, 2011. For determining the 2009 Seattle Energy Code requirements, you need to look at both the 2009 Washington State Energy Code and the Seattle ordinance.
2009 Seattle Codes Take Effect September 23
The 2009 Seattle building, residential, mechanical, fuel gas, and existing building codes will take effect on September 23, 2010. The effective date is followed by a 60-day period during which applicants may choose to use either the 2006 or 2009 codes. The last date on which DPD will accept applications using the 2006 codes will be November 22, 2010.
