Recent Land Use Changes – Green Factor and Sidewalk Requirements

There are recent changes to the land use code called the Green Factor. These code changes affect certain Neighborhood Commercial (NC1, NC2 and NC3) and Commercial (C1 and C2) zones which requires adding landscaping to improve the aesthetic and environmental qualities to Seattle’s neighborhoods. Developers may use the adjoining right-of-way to meet the green factor requirements. For more information on this requirement, this link will take you to the DPD Green Factor page.

There have been recent changes to the land use codes regarding sidewalk requirements. A complete summary of land use code changes can be read on the DPD Sidewalk Improvement Initiative web page. This code change requires that new development in zoning for Urban Villages, Urban Centers, along arterials and in Pedestrian zones (these are within some but not all Neighborhood Commercial zones) includes sidewalks for all new construction. The DPD Applicant Service Center is a good resource to ask about the specifics of whether or not your development is included in a pedestrian zone.