Shoreline Master Program

See also: Environmentally Critical Areas (ECA) Code, Floating Residences, Land Use Code, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Code

What Is It?

The Shoreline Master Program (23.60A) regulates development in the city’s shoreline environments to:

• Protect shoreline ecosystems
• Respond to pollution discharges into bodies of water
• Encourage water-dependent uses
• Provide for maximum public use and enjoyment of the shorelines
• Preserve, enhance, and increase views of and access to the water

Our ordinance requires that you:

• Obtain a shoreline substantial development permit, or a shoreline exemption, for any development in the Shoreline District
• Obtain a master use permit for any use or change of use in the Shoreline District
• Use best management practices in the shoreline to minimize and mitigate impacts on the aquatic environment
• Obtain and display a City-issued identification number for a floating residence (learn about the Floating Residence verification and registration process)
  • Tip 209, Application Requirements for Shoreline Permits
  • Tip 209A, Shoreline Substantial Development Exemptions Application Instructions
  • Tip 229, Residential Use of a Floating Home, House Barge, Floating On-Water Residence, or Vessel With a Dwelling Unit
  • Tip 229A, Shoreline Permitting Requirements for Floating on Water Residences (FOWR) and House Barges
  • Tip 250, Best Management Practices in Seattle's Shoreline District

Other Resources

For emergency spill response, contact Department of Ecology’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-OILS-911. 

For pollution discharges into lakes, creeks, and public storm drains, contact Seattle Public Utilities or call the Surface Water Pollution Report Line at (206) 684-7587.

To find out if the spill is also a shoreline violation, call (206) 615-0808.

What It Isn’t

This ordinance does not cover:

• Navigation hazards; call Seattle Harbor Patrol at (206) 684-4071
• Regulations of the City of Shoreline, Washington

Read the Code

• Seattle Municipal Code 23.60A

• Tip 229, Residential Use of a Floating Home, House Barge or Vessel
• Tip 229A, Shoreline Permitting Requirements for Floating on Water Residences (FOWR) and House Barges
• Tip 232, How to Appeal the Granting, Conditioning or Denial of Shoreline Permits
• Tip 250, Best Management Practices in Seattle's Shoreline District
• Director's Rule 7-2007, Determination of Shoreline Residential Setbacks in the Shoreline District
• Director's Rule 34-2006, Pedestrian Bridges in the Conservancy Waterway Shoreline Environment
• Director's Rule 9-2003, Exemption from Shoreline Program Permit Requirements
• Director's Rule 16-99, Nonconforming Floating Homes beyond the Lake Union Construction Limit Line
• Director's Rule 17-99, Verification of Shoreline District Boundary Line
• Director's Rule 22-96, New Dolphins Not Requiring Use or Building Permits
• Director's Rule 38-96, Exemptions from Shoreline Substantial Development Permits for Contract Purchasers
• Director's Rule 20-88, Property Located Partly within and Partly out of the Shoreline District

Recent Changes

Amendments to the definition of vessel took effect on November 12, 2019. 

Please see the SMP Vessel Definition Signed Ordinance, the final approval from Department of Ecology, Ecology's Findings and Conclusions, and SDCI's Vessel Definition Director's Report for additional information regarding this amendment. Contact Maggie Glowacki at (206) 386-4036, or email her at margaret.glowacki@seattle.gov, with questions regarding this amendment.