Seattle Green Factor
Greening Seattle's Neighborhood Business Districts
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As of Jan. 20, 2007, permit applicants must meet a new landscaping requirement in Seattle’s commercial areas. Known as the Seattle Green Factor, this program requires new development in neighborhood business districts to meet a landscaping target using a menu of landscaping strategies. The Green Factor is designed to improve the extent and quality of landscapes, while allowing greater flexibility for developers and designers to meet open space requirements.
How does it work?
The Green Factor encourages layering of vegetation in areas visible to the public and along streets adjacent to new development. Bonuses are provided for rainwater harvesting and choosing plants with low water requirements. Use of larger trees, tree preservation, green roofs and vegetated walls is encouraged. A worksheet (see sidebar link) helps applicants calculate their project’s score, allowing them to try different combinations of features to reach the requirement.
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The Green Factor encourages layering of vegetation in areas visible to the public and along streets adjacent to new development. Bonuses are provided for rainwater harvesting and choosing plants with low water requirements. Use of larger trees, tree preservation, green roofs and vegetated walls is encouraged. A worksheet (see sidebar link) helps applicants calculate their project’s score, allowing them to try different combinations of features to reach the requirement.
New buildings complying with the Green Factor will contribute to a lush urban aesthetic, consistent with our reputation as the “Emerald City.” In addition to being attractive, new green elements in the landscape will improve air quality and help reduce energy consumption, cooling the city in the summer and insulating it in the winter. They will also reduce stormwater runoff, decreasing water pollution and public infrastructure costs.
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Musée du quai Branly (Jessica Woolliams) |
The Green Factor was developed as part of the City Council’s review of the Mayor’s Neighborhood Business District Strategy (NBDS). The NBDS proposal, which revises commercial zoning requirements for the first time in many years, is intended to advance the City’s growth management strategy as embodied in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan. It also responds to neighborhood plans for vibrant, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood centers. Council adopted the package on Dec. 11; the Mayor signed the legislation on Dec. 21.