Design Review Exemption for Downtown and Center City

[Link] SDCI is proposing to exempt from Design Review new developments that include residential, hotel, and research and development (R&D) laboratories, as a part of Mayor Harrell's Downtown Activation Plan (DAP).

The bill would apply for three years, waiving the Design Review process for development proposals that contain mostly residential or hotel uses, or R&D laboratories, within the following urban center neighborhoods:

• Downtown
• South Lake Union
• Uptown
• First Hill

The proposal would allow SDCI to consider adjustments in building designs that may vary from minimum code requirements as part of the permit review.

On April 18, 2024, SDCI published a SEPA notice and Determination of Non-Significance for this proposal. You may submit comments on this proposal through May 2, 2024. Appeals of the SEPA determination may be filed with the City's Hearing Examiner through May 9, 2024.

To find out more about this proposal, visit our Design Review Exemption for Downtown & Center City.