Adult Cabarets (project completed)
DPD has proposed legislation to allow adult cabarets in an industrial area south of downtown adjacent to I-5.

Alternative Housing Choices 
On Aug. 15, 2006, Mayor Greg Nickels signed Ordinance 122190 that allows detached accessory dwelling units  in single family zones in Southeast Seattle.

Broadway Revitalization (project completed)
As part of the City of Seattle’s Broadway Revitalization Strategy, the City Council has passed two ordinances reducing parking requirements and changing land use and zoning regulations in the Broadway district.

Center City Seattle 
Mayor Nickels' "Center City Seattle" strategy focuses on encouraging economic growth, transportation, new housing and great urban neighborhoods in Seattle's downtown core and the nine centrally located neighborhoods immediately around it. 

Downtown Code Amendment to Allow Additional Height as an Incentive for Open Space 
The legislation applies only to the Downtown Mixed Commercial 340/290-400 (DMC 340/290-400) zone in Downtown Seattle. The recommended changes would provide an incentive for open space by allowing additional height for structures in the DMC 340/290-400 zone on full-block lots located on blocks that abut the Downtown Office Core 1 (DOC1) zone. The open space must be accessible to all occupants of the development on the lot, and, to offset the impact of the added height, must be approximately at street level and visible to the general public from abutting sidewalks. (PDF) View the Director's Report.

Downtown Zoning Changes (project completed)
The new downtown zoning legislation updates rules for the central office core and adjoining areas, including Denny Triangle and a portion of Belltown.

Dravus Commercial Area 
Dravus Commercial Area Zoning Study Underway, July 19, 2006

Environmentally Critical Areas (project completed)
ECAs include the City’s wetlands, areas important for fish and wildlife, riparian corridors (such as creeks), geologic hazard areas (such as landslide-prone, steep-slope and liquefaction-prone areas), flood-prone areas, and abandoned landfills.

First Hill Revitalization (project completed)
First Hill’s new residential parking requirements are consistent with City and neighborhood goals for developing more market-rate housing on First Hill.

Greenhouse Gas Assessment 
On December 3, 2007, the City Council, adopted Ordinance 122574 that requires City departments that perform environmental review under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to evaluate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when reviewing permit applications for development. King County already started to do this evaluation in October 2007, becoming the first local government in the nation to officially add GHG emissions to the environmental review of construction projects. Seattle will be one of the first cities in the country to require such a review.

Historic Preservation 
Sustainability, green buildings, climate change and energy efficiency are all terms we hear and read about. But, how does the drive to adapt our built environment to "green building" standards affect the future of our historic properties? The New Pathways Conference, to be held April 14 & 15 in Seattle, will try to answer questions about how historic rehabilitation projects can successfully comply with local building codes and green building rating systems (such as LEED), and still meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The target audience includes building code officials, green building design proponents, designers/architects, and preservation consultants. Click here to read a news story.

Housing for Seattle's Future 
Seattle’s booming economy and healthy real estate market drive an increasing need for housing. To help address that need, DPD administers building standards that protect neighborhood character while allowing new development. 

Industrial Lands 
In 2006, DPD began conducting research to identify the key issues facing industrial businesses in the city, to see how other cities have addressed similar issues, and to work with the community to develop approaches that can help Seattle meet its objectives for industrial land.

Livable South Downtown 
DPD is initiating a planning effort to focus on the neighborhoods of South Downtown as part of the Mayor’s "Center City Seattle" strategy.

Multifamily Zoning Update 
The Multifamily Zoning Update is part of the Mayor's commitment to a comprehensive re-evaluation of Seattle’s Land Use Code.

Neighborhood Business District Strategy 
In an effort to stimulate and enliven Seattle's neighborhood business districts the City is proposing a new strategy to reflect changing conditions and neighborhood plan goals.

Neighborhood Main Street Mapping Project 
The Neighborhood Main Street Mapping Project will identify specific locations for Pedestrian Zones to be designated in Seattle’s neighborhood business districts. 

Noise Code Amendments
This proposal updates noise measurement methods, creates a new “major public project construction” noise variance, and sets an earlier time (7 p.m.) to cease noisy construction in certain zones when residences are nearby.

Northgate Revitalization 
Work is now underway to revitalize Seattle's Northgate urban center. This project is part of Mayor Nickels' initiative to get Northgate moving.

Pet Daycares (project completed)
Pet daycare centers are businesses that provide care for pets while the owners are away from home during the day.

Peat Settlement-prone Areas 
The City of Seattle is proposing new regulations for areas of the city that are prone to ground settlement due to subsurface peat deposits.

Pioneer Square: Structural Additions to Historic Buildings
DPD is proposing Land Use Code amendments to address structural additions to existing historic buildings in Pioneer Square that exceed the maximum height limit.

Pioneer Square: Rooftop Features
This Land Use Code amendment allows enclosed recreation areas on new structures in Pioneer Square to exceed the height limit, if the structure also includes on the roof a source of renewable electrical energy (such as wind turbines or photo-voltaic cells) supplying a portion of the building's demand for electricity. (PDF)

Planning Exhibit 
The Planning Exhibit conveys the physical transformation of the city as it happens and profile some of the most compelling developments now in the planning stages.

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 Alternative Mitigation Plan 
The Seattle Shoreline Alternative Mitigation Plan will change the way that the city implements its Shoreline Master Program for the shoreline between the Hiram Chittenden Locks and the Montlake Cut.

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.

Side Sewer Revisions
The Side Sewer Code (Seattle Municipal Code 21.16) and its accompanying Director’s Rule (DR) address the design, construction and permitting requirements and regulations for side sewer work in the City of Seattle.

Sidewalks Improvement Initiative
The goal of this initiative is to expand and improve the current inventory of sidewalks into a safe, contiguous and geographically-appropriate pedestrian network throughout the city.

South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan Update
DPD planners are working with the South Lake Union neighborhood to update the South Lake Union neighborhood plan.

Stormwater, Grading and Drainage Code Revisions
The Stormwater, Grading and Drainage Control Code and associated Directors’ Rules are being revised to account for advances in urban stormwater runoff management practices.

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.

Tree 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.

University District Revitalization (project completed)
Strengthening the University District by improving the retail mix and creating redevelopment opportunities is the focus of this project.

Unreinforced Masonry Buildings (URMs)
The City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) briefed City Council, in May 2008, on possible new requirements for the city’s unreinforced masonry buildings (URM’s).  The briefing included information from a recently completed study by the Reid-Middleton engineering firm, commissioned by the city, which estimates there are up to 1000 URM’s in the city, most of which have not been seismically retrofitted.

Updating Neighborhood Plans/Station Area Planning
Executive staff and the City Council are currently discussing the process to follow for updating neighborhood plans. 

Waterfront 
A once-in-a-century opportunity to create a new front porch for the city.

Work Force Housing Incentive
Mayor Nickels is proposing amendments to the Land Use Code to expand the use of incentive zoning programs beyond their current application in Downtown. The Work Force Housing Incentive has the potential to allow increased development capacity, in the form of additional height or floor area beyond that permitted outright on a lot.