Seattle’s Rulebooks: Permits, Zoning and Ethics — June 16, 2026

Seattle’s Rulebooks: Permits, Zoning and Ethics — June 16, 2026

Seattle’s One Seattle Plan and HB 1110 are the practical rulebook behind where homes, shops, and transit investments can go, while SDCI permit guidance and the Ethics Code show how implementation and accountability actually run through City Hall. IN THIS EPISODE 1. How Do You Get a Permit? - SDCI | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/permits/how-do-you-get-a-permit] — Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection # How Do You Get a Permit? The permit process differs for each [permit type](/sdci/permits/permits-we-issue-(a-z)), and may also vary depending on the complexity of your project. These steps are a general guideline to follow to apply for a permit. You will submit most permit applications through the [Seattle Services Portal](https://services.seattle.gov/portal/). * [How to Get a Building Permit… 2. Step Back — Everyone talks about Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan like it’s a wonky planning document, but is it actually the rulebook that decides where housing, shops, and transit investments can go — or more like a political wish list? As the city folds HB 1110 into the update, what changes on the ground right away, and what still depends on later zoning and permitting choices? BACKGROUND SOURCES * City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2025/12/16/city-council-passes-final-comprehensive-plan-legislation/] — City Council News Releases * Seattle dropped key NIMBY rules. Why aren’t developers swarming? | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/seattle-dropped-key-nimby-rules-why-arent-developers-swarming/] — Heidi Groover * Council Select Committee Passes Comprehensive Plan  - The Daily Plan It Blog [https://dailyplanit.seattle.gov/council-select-committee-passes-comprehensive-plan/] — iand * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal  - Office of the Mayor [https://wilson.seattle.gov/2026/01/30/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — Seferiana Day-Hasegawa * Addressing Seattle Housing Shortage: Mayor Wilson Releases Final Centers and Corridors Zoning Proposal - The Daily Plan It Blog [https://dailyplanit.seattle.gov/addressing-seattle-housing-shortage-mayor-wilson-releases-final-centers-and-corridors-zoning-proposal/] — iand * As Seattle adopts new developer-friendly rules, don’t expect an immediate building boom - oregonlive.com [https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2025/06/as-seattle-adopts-new-developer-friendly-rules-dont-expect-an-immediate-building-boom.html] — Heidi Groover | The Seattle Times Tribune News Service * Amended Comprehensive Plan passes out of committee - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2025/09/19/amended-comprehensive-plan-passes-out-of-committee/] — City Council News Releases 3. Research a Project, Permit, or Property - SDCI - Seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/resources/research-a-project] — Seattle.gov # Research a Project, Permit, or Property ## Find Property Information & Permit History Researching the permit history of a property can be complicated - or fairly simple - depending on what information you are looking for. Finding information often requires consulting multiple resources. Many data and documents are available to you through online tools available on the SDCI… 4. Ethics - Ethics-and-Elections | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/ethics-and-elections/ethics] — City of Seattle # Ethics One of the missions of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) is to administer, interpret and enforce the Seattle Ethics Code, Chapter 4.16 of the Seattle Municipal Code.  One of the missions of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC)… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle’s Transit Push Meets the Permit Bottleneck — June 15, 2026

Seattle Transit Measure renewal is the live test: Mayor Katie Wilson’s plan would expand bus service and low-income fare help, while Seattle’s permitting bottlenecks show why housing, storefronts, and transit-oriented growth still need operational reform. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Op-Ed: Help Seattle Get the Frequent Transit Network We Deserve [https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-help-seattle-get-the-frequent-transit-network-we-deserve/] — The Urbanist # Op-Ed: Help Seattle Get the Frequent Transit Network We Deserve Published: 2026-06-14T14:00:08+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Op-Ed: Help Seattle Get the Frequent Transit Network We Deserve 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Op-Ed: Help Seattle Get the Frequent Transit Network We Deserve By Move All Seattle Sustainably (MASS) Coalition- June 14,… 2. Step Back — Seattle can upzone all it wants, but if the permit system is still a bottleneck, how long does it actually take to get housing or a small business approved here — and which delays are city choices versus unavoidable safety or state requirements? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Construction Permit Performance - SDCI | seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/about-us/construction-permit-performance] — seattle.gov * Small Business Support: Demystifying and Improving Small Business Permitting - City Innovation Hub [https://innovation-hub.seattle.gov/2025/12/20/small-business-support-demystifying-and-improving-small-business-permitting/] — Innovation & Performance * Frequently Asked Questions About SDCI Review Status and Target Due Dates – Help Center - Seattle Services Portal [https://seattlegov.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360057485914-Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-SDCI-Review-Status-and-Target-Due-Dates] — July 08, 2025 17:55 Updated * Mayor Harrell orders comprehensive permitting reforms to accelerate housing and small business growth - Office of the Mayor [https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/06/23/mayor-harrell-orders-comprehensive-permitting-reforms-to-accelerate-housing-and-small-business-growth/] — Kate Jacobs * Council President Sara Nelson and Mayor Bruce Harrell Announce Proposals to Ease Small Business Permitting - Seattle City Council Blog [https://council.seattle.gov/2025/08/01/council-president-sara-nelson-and-mayor-bruce-harrell-announce-proposals-to-ease-small-business-permitting/] — City Council News Releases * New Construction Permit Timeline Tool - Building Connections [https://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2026/04/30/new-construction-permit-timeline-tool/] — SDCI Community Engagement Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle’s Housing Freeze Meets Ballard Link’s Funding Gap — June 14, 2026

Seattle’s Mandatory Housing Affordability is under pressure as home permitting drops to a third of its recent pace, while Sound Transit says Ballard Link still has a path if it can close a $7 billion to $9 billion gap. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It [https://www.theurbanist.org/op-ed-to-save-mandatory-housing-affordability-we-have-to-recalibrate-it/] — The Urbanist # Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It Published: 2026-06-12T18:15:40+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Op-Ed: To Save Mandatory Housing Affordability, We Have to Recalibrate It By Patience Malaba- June 12,… 2. Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated [https://www.theurbanist.org/sound-transit-says-reports-of-ballard-links-demise-exaggerated/] — The Urbanist Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Sound Transit Says Reports of Ballard Link's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated By Ryan Packer- June 12, 2026 Share Though a May 28 board vote ultimately moved the northern half of the Ballard Link into the "unaffordable" column, Sound Transit's top leadership wants to… 3. [PDF] Updating Seattle's Neighborhood Residential zoning [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/updatingneighborhoodresidentialzoning.pdf] UPDATED OCTOBER 2024 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning A proposal to increase housing choice and fulfill requirements of House Bill 1110 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Purpose 3 Updating Seattle’s Neighborhood Residential zoning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .… 4. [PDF] HB 1110 - Seattle.gov [https://www.seattle.gov/documents/departments/opcd/seattleplan/implementinghb1110.pdf] — Seattle.gov What is HB 1110? In 2023, the Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 1110, often referred to as the “middle housing” bill. HB 1110 requires many cities in the state to allow a broader range of housing types in areas that have allowed predominantly detached homes. In Seattle, these requirements would apply in areas zoned Neighborhood Residential (NR) or Residential Small Lot (RSL).… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Seattle Fights King County Tax Split as Reform Beats Stack Up — June 12, 2026

Seattle leaders are challenging a King County transportation-tax formula that could divert millions from the city, while staffing, zoning, and transit documents sharpen the broader reform agenda. IN THIS EPISODE 1. Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-leaders-push-back-on-plan-to-shortchange-city-in-new-countywide-tax/] — The Urbanist # Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax Published: 2026-06-11T13:00:23+00:00 Source: theurbanist.org (theurbanist.org) Language: en ## Story Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax 📰 Support nonprofit journalism Donate # Seattle Leaders Push Back on Plan to Shortchange City in New Countywide Tax By Ryan Packer- June… 2. Step Back — Seattle keeps saying police staffing is the bottleneck for better public safety — but what do the SPD “sworn staffing” numbers actually count, and how should we tell whether hiring, attrition, overtime, and response times add up to a real recovery or just a nicer-looking spreadsheet? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Public Safety Committee 6/9/2026 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kGezT1vKrQ] — Seattle Channel * 'Not even treading water': Washington state continues to lag in police hiring [https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-state-police-hiring-bellevue-seattle-police-department-association-of-sheriffs-police-chiefs-statewide-population-bpd-spd-per-capita-dc-50-states] — Komonews * Harrell and SPOG Rush Police Contract, Hamstringing Civilian Responders, Accountability Agencies » The Urbanist [https://www.theurbanist.org/harrell-and-spog-rush-police-contract-hamstringing-civilian-responders/] — Theurbanist * Seattle Civilian Responder Team Chafes Under Police Guild Contract Restrictions [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-civilian-responder-team-chafes-under-police-guild-contract-restrictions/] — Theurbanist * Seattle police ‘territorialism’ blocks crisis responders, leader says | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-police-territorialism-blocks-crisis-responders-leader-says/] — David Kroman 3. [PDF] House Bill Report HB 1110 [https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1110%20HBR%20APP%2023.pdf] HOUSE BILL REPORT HB 1110 As Reported by House Committee On: Housing Appropriations Title: An act relating to creating more homes for Washington by increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. Brief Description: Increasing middle housing in areas traditionally dedicated to single-family detached housing. Sponsors: Representatives Bateman, Barkis,… 4. [PDF] Seattle Police Department (SPD) 2025 Q1 Sworn Staffing ... - AWS [https://westseattleblog-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2025/05/staffbriefing.pdf] — West Seattle Blog Seattle Police Department (SPD) 2025 Q1 Sworn Staffing, Overtime and Performance Metrics Report GREG DOSS, ANALYST PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MAY 27, 2025 1. SPD Staffing Slides 3- 7 2 Sworn Staffing SPD Staffing Plan – Actuals through March 2025 and projections through Dec 2025 2025 Jan-Mar Actuals v. Original Staffing Plan • Q1 Hires Planned: 31 Q1 Actual Hires Achieved: 43 • Q1 Separations… 5. [PDF] Sound Transit 3 – Funding, Tax Impact and Phase In - Amazon S3 [https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/piercecommunitiescoalition/documents-general/Sound-Transit-3_Tax-Impact-Phase-in.pdf] Sound Transit 3 – Funding, Tax Impact and Phase In Of Sound Transit 3’s $53.8 billion total budget, about half, or $27.7 billion would be funded by new taxes that voters will consider in November. These are: (1) a sales tax of 0.5 percent ($.50 on a $100 purchase) in addition to the 0.9 percent currently collected; (2) a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) of 0.8 percent ($80 annually per $10,000 of… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].

Wilson Pushes Faster Upzones as SPD Staffing Still Lags — June 11, 2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is accelerating the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan toward broader upzones by 2027, promising taller, denser housing near transit as the city’s reform agenda also confronts stubborn SPD staffing shortages and slower response times. IN THIS EPISODE 1. “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASEATTLE/bulletins/4114386] — City of Seattle  # “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | Office of the Mayor logo - press release version | | | | | | | --- | --- | | Press ReleaseFor Immediate Release… 2. Step Back — When Seattle leaders promise “taller, denser, faster,” what can they actually speed up on their own — permits, zoning maps, fees, appeals — and what still has to survive council votes, state rules, or neighborhood-level pushback? BACKGROUND SOURCES * Mayor Harrell orders comprehensive permitting reforms to accelerate housing and small business growth - Office of the Mayor [https://harrell.seattle.gov/2025/06/23/mayor-harrell-orders-comprehensive-permitting-reforms-to-accelerate-housing-and-small-business-growth/] — Kate Jacobs * Katie Wilson's 'Taller Denser Faster' Plan Starts to Get Fleshed Out [https://www.theurbanist.org/katie-wilsons-taller-denser-faster-plan-starts-fleshed-out/] — Theurbanist * Wilson Pledges 'Taller, Denser, Faster' Housing Growth Plan [https://www.theurbanist.org/wilson-pledges-taller-denser-faster-housing-growth-plan/] — Theurbanist * Lin Moves to Curb Legal Appeals Hindering Seattle Zoning Changes [https://www.theurbanist.org/seattle-council-looks-to-curb-appeals-that-hindered-zoning-changes/] — Theurbanist * “Taller, denser, faster”: Mayor Wilson announces accelerated approach to comprehensive plan [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASEATTLE/bulletins/4114386] — Govdelivery * Seattle City Council reviewing plan for more housing density | The Seattle Times [https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/seattle-city-council-reviewing-plan-for-more-housing-density/] — David Kroman 3. SPD staffing shortages cause slower response times [https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio/spd-faces-staffing-shortages-causing-slower-response-times/3961243] — KIRO Newsradio  [KIRO NEWSRADIO](https://mynorthwest.com/kiro-radio) # Seattle Police Department faces staffing shortages causing slower response times May 28, 2024, 2:49 PM ![Photo: SPD responds to a shooting amid staffing… Daily TopFive for Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily. Links above go to the original articles. Follow and rate Seattle Politics and Urbanism Daily on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-seattle-daily-fix/id1895649659] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6SnLmXKBtus9Fld4TOlCRJ]. Feedback? Email seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com [seattle-daily-fix@lanternpodcasts.com].