A new landscaping requirement is helping create lush new plantings in neighborhoods throughout the city. Known as the Seattle Green Factor, this program is designed to improve the quantity and quality of planted areas while allowing greater flexibility for developers and designers to meet open space requirements. Currently, it applies to new development in commercial and neighborhood commercial zones outside of downtown, and it is proposed for multifamily residential zones and the South Downtown planning area.

How does it work?

Building permit applicants in affected zones must demonstrate that their projects meet the Seattle Green Factor by using DPD’s Green Factor Score Sheet (see “Green Factor Tools”). The Green Factor rewards layering of vegetation along streets and other areas visible to the public. The scoring system is set up to encourage larger trees, tree preservation, permeable paving, green roofs and vegetated walls. Bonuses are provided for food cultivation, native and drought-tolerant plants, and rainwater harvesting. The score sheet automatically calculates a project’s Green Factor score, allowing designers to easily experiment with different combinations of features.

New buildings complying with the Seattle Green Factor will contribute to a greener aesthetic, helping us live up to our reputation as the “Emerald City” and maintaining livability in our growing urban areas.  In addition to being attractive, green elements in the landscape improve air quality and help reduce energy consumption, cooling the city in the summer and insulating it in the winter. They also reduce stormwater runoff, decreasing water pollution and public infrastructure costs.

 

Planning Context
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 revised 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, 2006; the Mayor signed the legislation on Dec. 21, 2006.

Based on feedback from the public, developers, and designers of Green Factor projects, DPD has revised the Green Factor scoring system.  The new scoring system will allow additional credits and clarify existing ones.  Council is likely to review the proposed changes in December 2008-January 2009.