Building Connections Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections

Building Connections

Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections news and events

What’s Happening with the Stormwater Code Update?

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Our proposed 2021 Stormwater Code and Manual update is scheduled to be effective in July 2021. Our new rules will replace the current Stormwater code and Directors’ Rules, which are administered jointly by SDCI and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). For more information, visit our Updating Stormwater Regulations web page. There are two public review periods and three public meetings coming up between now and mid-2021.

Seattle Arena Virtual Public Comment Meeting

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SDCI has received a new application from the Seattle Arena Company (ArenaCo) for a Major Public Project Construction Noise Variance from the City of Seattle noise limits. ArenaCo is requesting a 13-month noise variance for the renovation of Seattle Center Arena (Key Arena). The variance would allow construction work during nighttime hours that exceeds the City’s sound level limits (Chapter 25.08 Seattle Municipal Code). SDCI is holding an online public meeting using WebEx Events on Thursday, August 27, 2020. Representatives from ArenaCo will be available to provide information about the project and SDCI will discuss the noise variance process.

Capitol Hill Design Guidelines Update Open House

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Capitol Hill is experiencing a phase of rapid growth. Since the neighborhood design guidelines were adopted in 2005, nearly 50 new building designs have gone through the Design Review program and received development permits. As the neighborhood continues to grow, the City of Seattle is teaming up with Capitol Hill Housing, the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict and local community members to update the existing Capitol Hill Neighborhood Design Guidelines, which will serve as a guide for future development throughout all areas within the Capitol Hill Urban Center.

Comprehensive Plan Advances – Public Hearing on September 15

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This summer, the Mayor’s Recommended Comprehensive Plan took center stage at City Council. The Planning, Land Use and Zoning (PLUZ) Committee is leading the review and will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 15, to hear your thoughts on their proposed amendments to the Mayor’s Recommended Comprehensive Plan. The public hearing will take place at Council Chambers, City Hall (600 Fourth Avenue, 2nd Floor) at 2:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be available at 1:30 p.m.

2015 Seattle Energy Code Development

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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.

Backyard Cottages Update & Meeting

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On January 19, the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) co-hosted the first of two community meetings with Councilmember Mike O’Brien on ways to encourage more backyard cottages and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Seattle. Cottages are a housing option suitable for a wide range of households and can provide a reliable source of income for homeowners. They have been allowed citywide since 2010, with 220 of them built since then.

Design Review Program Improvements

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Last spring, DPD started working on the Design Review Program Improvements project. The purpose of the project is to identify, evaluate, and implement organizational, structural, and procedural changes to revamp and refresh our Design Review Program. This study builds on several past evaluations of the program. Our goal is to arrive at specific program improvement recommendations by the end of 2015. The program improvements will be ready for implementation in 2016, after review by the Mayor and City Council.

2016 Stormwater Code Public Hearing and Stormwater Manual Public Meeting

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Want to let us know what you think about the 2016 Stormwater Manual? Then don’t miss our public meeting on September 30, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., in Seattle Municipal Tower (700 5th Ave.), room 2240. The final draft of the 2016 Stormwater Manual will be available on our website before the meeting. The Stormwater Manual is a Director’s Rule that interprets the Stormwater Code requirements. Director’s Rules are binding rules adopted according to the administration section in the Seattle Municipal Code.

Public Meeting: 2016 Stormwater Code and Manual Update

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DPD and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) are hosting a public meeting on June 10, 2015 about the 2016 Stormwater Code and Manual Update. The meeting is from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Seattle Municipal Tower, room 4080. The draft documents of the 2016 Stormwater Code and other project applicability code changes are available for your review on our website.

Making a Vibrant 35th Ave

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DPD is considering zoning changes to the neighborhood business districts along 35th Ave NE (at 65th, 75th, 85th, and 95th Streets) to provide more opportunities for retail goods and services. This rezone could involve changing some areas currently zoned for low rise development to neighborhood commercial, increasing the height allowed in existing neighborhood commercial zones from 30 feet to 40 feet, and designating the business districts at 65th and 95th Streets as pedestrian zones.