SDCI is in the process of updating Seattle’s construction codes to the 2018 versions of the building, residential, existing buildings, mechanical, energy, fuel gas, and plumbing codes. We have been aiming for an effective date of July 1, 2020, to align with the effective date of the Washington State building codes. However, due to many factors, including the impacts of the COVID-19, the effective date of Seattle’s codes will be delayed until November 1, 2020. If the 2018 Washington State construction codes effective date is delayed past November 1, we will align the effective date of our codes with the State.
2015 Seattle Energy Code Development
Seattle DCI will hold a couple of public meetings during in February to review proposed changes to the “Commercial Buildings” provisions of the 2015 Seattle Energy Code. If you’re interested in attending one of these meetings, please RSVP to duane.jonlin@seattle.gov as space is limited.
Proposed Updates to Stormwater Management Strategies
DPD transmitted legislation to City Council that proposes to amend the Land Use Code to encourage Low Impact Development (LID), a stormwater management strategy that mimics natural processes to reduce the amount of rainwater that runs off a site. LID strategies include bioretention, reducing impervious surfaces, and clustering buildings together to reduce site disturbance. In September 2015, DPD completed the SEPA review of the proposed legislation.
Minimum Density Requirements
On May 29, 2014 we published a full draft of our proposed code adjustments for Minimum Density. We also published a notice of a Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) on the proposed rules, as part of the required State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The SEPA comment period runs through June 12, 2014.
