The Seattle Design Commission advises the Mayor, City Council and City departments on the design of capital improvement projects as well as projects on City land, in the City right-of-way, or constructed with City dollars.

Mission
The Seattle Design Commission:

• champions design excellence in the public realm;
• promotes design practices that serve as a catalyst for innovative sustainable development, equal opportunity and social inclusion;
• ensures that the city’s built environment makes Seattle a world-class example of sustainable urban design that strengthens community, public life and economic prosperity.

Responsibilities
The Seattle Design Commission's responsibilities include:

• conducting project reviews
  • Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
  • Right-of-Way projects (ROW)
  • major projects, including transportation infrastructure and master plans
• making recommendations to officials on the City's projects and policies that affect the public realm
• holding design workshops to explore solutions for projects

The Seattle Design Commission is just one of several citizen-led boards appointed by the Mayor and City Council to review the design of projects. Other boards or commissions review the design of private development projects, designated landmarks, and in historic districts. Download the brochure, "This is Design Review in Seattle."