On August 16, 2021 the City Council adopted Ordinance 126421 to add more flexibility for the types of uses allowed to occupy storefronts in downtown, including the Pioneer Square Preservation District, and in South Lake Union.
Shoreline Master Program Vessel Definition Amendment
The Shoreline Master Program amendment regarding the definition of a vessel, Ordinance 125882, became effective on November 12 after final review and approval by the Department of Ecology on October 29. This amendment adds additional language to the definition of vessel to clarify that the intent of the term “designed for navigation” is to transport people or goods over water.
New Approved Legislation and Amendments
The City Council approved an amendment to the 2015 Seattle Building Code allowing Art Gallery spaces less than 3000 square feet in size to remain or be classified as an Mercantile occupancy from an Assembly-3 occupancy. They also approved legislation for Seattle’s Technical Codes and Electrical Code.
Environmentally Critical Areas Update
The Seattle City Council passed the Environmentally Critical Areas Ordinance on April 14, 2017. The effective date of the updated Environmentally Critical Areas regulations will be May 15, 2017.
2017 Changes to Permitting Fees and Other Charges
The Seattle City Council recently adopted the 2017-18 budget, including legislation that implements Seattle DCI fee changes in 2017 to cover wage increases in order to reflect our cost of doing business. On January 1, 2017, these service fees go into effect.
Council Adopts Rezone Legislation for Bitter Lake Village
On July 25 Seattle City Council adopted legislation to amend the Land Use Code to rezones sites in the Bitter Lake Village Hub Urban Village and to amend development standards. The zoning proposals are based on an inclusive planning process that led to the Broadview – Bitter Lake – Haller Lake Neighborhood Plan update and the Bitter Lake Urban Design Framework that document the community’s development vision for the Bitter Lake Village Center.
Code Correction Amendments for Public Review
On January 12 we released a public review draft of proposed omnibus legislation and a Director’s Report to make corrections to the Seattle Municipal Code. We also completed an environment review of the proposed legislation per the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) on the same day. Our proposed amendments are called “omnibus” amendments because we package a collection of amendments that are small scale, with a limited scope of impact.
Proposed Permanent Micro-Housing Regulations
On September 2 the City Council introduced new legislation (Council Bill 118201) to clarify permanent regulation of micro-housing, congregate residences, and similar forms of development. The City Council’s proposal reflects input from three stakeholder working group meetings held during the summer of 2014. After the new regulations are voted on by Council, all future developments will have to meet the new rules.
West Seattle Triangle Rezone Legislation Effective Jan. 27
On December 28 Mayor McGinn signed Ordinance 123790, West Seattle Triangle rezone. This ordinance becomes effective on January 27, 2012.
Mobile Food Vending Ordinance Adopted
On July 21 Mayor Mike McGinn signed into law an ordinance to create jobs and improve neighborhood vitality by allowing more mobile food vending in Seattle. The ordinance, developed in consultation with vendors, restaurants, and neighbors, was approved by an 8-0 vote of the City Council on Monday. The mayor held a signing ceremony at Lake Union Park as part of the Seattle Parks Foundation’s Mobile Food Chowdown.
