Assorted links and documents to help us navigate the DCLU/Planning/Building Code Maze

1) The Design Review Process

• Guidelines used by the Design Review Boards during their public reviews of proposed multifamily and commercial buildings.
  
  
• A Client Assistance memo from DCLU describing the Design Review process in detail (1320k download)
  
  
• The Chapter of the City Code about the Design Review Process
  
  
• A Client Assistance memo explaining when the SEPA threshold triggers the need for Design Review
   
   

2) DCLU Information

• Link to DCLU's latest listing of upcoming Building projects, Design Review meetings, etc (updated every Monday and Thursday).
  
  
• Look up building permit information online.
  
  
• Link to many online DCLU documents, including:
  
• A Guide to the Land Use Notices that appear on building sites, and the the comment periods and public meetings that allow YOU to influence the development.
  
  
• Brief guide to Single Family House Zoning
  
  
• Brief Guide to Multifamily Housing Zoning
  
  
• Brief Guide to Neighborhood Commercial Zoning
  
  
• Standards for vacant buildings
  
  
• A list of Client Assistance Memos
  
  
• Client Assistance memos, sorted by subject
  
  
• For E-mail inquiries to DCLU, try the "Public Resource Center", PRC@ci.seattle.wa.us. For enforcement issues try (206) 684-7899

The Seattle Land Use Code is now online!

To find out about building projects try this excellent database: search by project number, address, street, etc.
 

3) Maps

DCLU has rather cumbersome online maps of Seattle.They're large  PDF files that have zoning info, plot dimensions and all sorts of other good stuff, but you have to download a whole map section (3000k download: don't try this at home!) before you can zoom in to the bit you want.

Try the City of Seattle Property Finder. Here it is, zoomed in to our neighborhood.

The King County online maps are much easier (as they have search capabilities) , and give access to data about the property owner, etc, but don't have zoning info for Seattle. Here are two examples: