DPD’s programs and services educate and provide technical assistance and incentives to produce long-term, environmentally sustainable benefits to the city and region. Through these and other programs that govern development on Seattle’s approximately 100 miles of shorelines, and that protect streams, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and steep slopes, DPD has a broad responsibility for balancing the health of our physical environment, economic prosperity, and quality of life.
Living Building Pilot
DPD is proposing to create a Living Building Pilot Program to assist projects in attempting to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge. The Living Building Challenge is a green building rating system created by the International Living Building Institute to recognize buildings meeting the highest level of sustainability.
Residential Deconstruction
DPD is proposing amendments to the Land Use Code to encourage builders and developers to salvage reusable materials from structures containing dwelling units.
SEPA Environmental Review
DPD is proposing to change the City’s environmental review thresholds, which determine when new development is subject to environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
Shoreline Master Program Update
The City of Seattle’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) is being comprehensively updated for the first time since 1987. The SMP constitutes the policies and regulations governing development and uses on and adjacent to marine and freshwater shorelines.
Sustainable Infrastructure Initiative - Seattle spends more than $650 million each year to build, renew, and repair infrastructure. This money is divided up between numerous departments, each with its own mission and priorities. An interdepartmental team at the City is suggesting that some portion of our capital spending might be more effective if it were directed at integrated, sustainable outcomes—outcomes that not only address expected levels of service, but also add value to the community, the environment, and the economy.
Trees Regulations Update
Trees are valued in Seattle and legally protected in a variety of ways. Among their benefits, trees and landscaping add aesthetic value to the landscape, provide shade to cool structures, reduce stormwater runoff and aid in climate protection.
Utilty Landscaping
DPD is proposing new development standards for solid waste transfer stations and utility services uses. Utility services uses are facilities built to transfer or deliver power, water, sewage, stormwater runoff, and similar substances; these include electrical substations, combined sewer overflows, pumping stations, and trolley transformers.