The City of Seattle has made important changes to the City’s Rental Agreement Regulation Ordinance. Future rental agreements in the City of Seattle must follow these requirements: Security Deposit, Pet Deposit, and Move-in Fee Limits; Payment Plans Required; and Security Deposit Returns.
Reminder: New Environmental (SEPA) Review Requirements
Environmental review thresholds under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) will change on Monday, November 16, 2015,. The change will affect the following Urban Centers and Villages: Northgate, South Lake Union, North Rainier, Rainier Beach and North Beacon Hill.
Recent Changes to When Design Review Is Required
City Council recently developed and approved two separate Land Use Code amendments that will trigger Design Review for some development proposals that were previously exempt from Design Review or Streamlined Design Review.
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.
2012 Seattle Energy Code Development
Washington State has amended the 2012 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code). With each new edition of the energy code, Seattle enacts additional rules to reduce the amount of energy consumed by non-residential buildings. A limited set of new Seattle amendments will be proposed for the 2012 Seattle code, based on the 2012 IECC.
New Year’s Deadline Approaching for Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Time is running short for landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms in all residential dwelling units. This applies even for dwellings that don’t have fireplaces or gas-fired appliances, because these are not the cause of the most severe incidents. Following our 2006 windstorm, 250 people were treated for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the Puget Sound area and eight died, all from either burning charcoal briquettes inside their homes or from improper use of gasoline-powered generators. In response to these tragedies, new state-wide law and building codes will require CO alarms in most residential buildings, including single-family homes.
State Has New Lead-Based Paint Renovation and Painting Program
The Washington State Department of Commerce has begun enforcing new rules aimed at protecting children from poisoning by lead-based paint. The State is focused on training and education for contractors so they may apply the new nationwide rules for lead-safe work practices.
