Three draft rules are available that would interpret a height measurement technique, landscaping provisions (green factor) and frequent transit service (used in calculating parking requirements in certain areas). These rules are anticipated to be effective at the same time, April 19, 2011, as related legislation that was recently adopted by the City Council: the Lowrise multifamily code update and clarified in clean-up legislation. All rules can be downloaded from the Related Documents page of our website.
DPD Proposed Tree Regulations Available
The Department of Planning and Development’s proposal to revise Seattle’s Tree Regulations is now available. These revisions are intended to advance the goals of the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), established in April 2007 to maintain and enhance a thriving and diverse urban forest. The UFMP established a goal of increasing Seattle’s tree canopy to 30% by 2037 and established general strategies for accomplishing this goal. Canopy cover analysis commissioned by the City found that Seattle’s tree canopy was approximately 23% in 2007. While canopy cover appeared to increase slightly between 2003 and 2007 across all zones, this analysis also demonstrated that canopy cover is not increasing at a rate sufficient to meet our overall goals. This proposal is a key element of the City’s overall strategy to implement the UFMP through a comprehensive strategy of regulations, education, incentives, and proper management of City-maintained trees.
Awards for Seattle Green Factor
Seattle Green Factor, an innovative landscaping standard first implemented in 2007, has won recognition from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) at national and state levels.
