Peat Settlement-prone Areas

Overview

The City of Seattle is proposing new regulations for areas of the city that are prone to ground settlement due to subsurface peat deposits. Peat deposits are highly compressible and are prone to settlement when compacted by new structures and fill or when the groundwater table is lowered. Settlement activity can result in serious damage to buildings, roads, sidewalks and utilities.

Proposed regulations seek to protect public safety and property by identifying areas of the city that are settlement-prone and ensuring that new development in these areas is safely constructed and does not negatively impact adjacent properties.