Design Review - Program - SDCI | seattle.gov

Design Review - Program - SDCI | seattle.gov
Design Review - Program
On October 26, 2025, the City adopted temporary rules to align with new state law (
House Bill 1293
). These temporary rules pause the requirement for Design Review, making it voluntary for new development proposals.
These rules will remain in place while SDCI works on long-term updates to the Design Review program and its guidelines, as required by House Bill 1293.
To learn more, please visit our
2025 Design Review Program Changes
webpage.
What is Design Review?
Watch our
What is Design Review
video for an overview of the program objectives and the three paths of Administrative Design Review, Full Design Review, and Streamlined Design Review.
Program
Design Review is one of the tools we use to create a better city. It gives everyone an opportunity to shape the design of many new multifamily and commercial buildings. It also offers flexibility with the Land Use Code requirements.
The
Design Guidelines
are tools that we use to review how new buildings fit into and relate to the surrounding neighborhoods, including things like:
The overall appearance of the building
How the proposal relates to adjacent sites and the overall street frontage
How the proposal relates to unusual aspects of the site, like views or slopes
Pedestrian and vehicular access to the site
Quality of exterior building materials, open space, and landscaping
There are three types of Design Review. SDCI Design Review staff review many smaller buildings through Streamlined Design Review and Administrative Design Review. Larger buildings may require Full Design Review, which includes both public
Design Review Board
meetings and review by City staff. All Design Review includes an opportunity for public comment and involvement.
Learn About & Get Involved With Design Review
Design Review Program Community Outreach
In 2024, SDCI partnered with SEVA Workshop to conduct public outreach to gather community feedback to help us understand how different possible Design Review program changes would impact everyone in Seattle.
SEVA Workshop gathered feedback on several topics, including:
Which areas of Seattle should require Design Review for new construction
Which types of new construction should go through Design Review
When and how people can comment on new construction projects
How to update the Design Guidelines to be easier to understand
How adding incentives for new construction could improve equity
Additional community engagement activities are anticipated as SDCI continues to update the Design Review program in response to Washington state’s
House Bill 1293
. Permanent legislation and new Design Guidelines are anticipated for Council review in the fourth quarter of 2025. To learn more, please visit our
2025 Design Review Program Changes
webpage.
Learn About Upcoming Reviews and Design Review
Think about how your neighborhood looks, what works, and what could be improved
Look at the Design Review materials posted to the
Design Review Calendar
Check out our
Shaping Seattle map
to see all of the projects under review in your neighborhood
Use the
Design Guidelines primer
to learn more about
Design Guidelines
(also available in
Spanish
and
Simple Chinese
Check out our
How to Engage with Design Review brochure
Comment on a Proposed Design
The Design Review Boards and staff welcome public comment on project designs. Public comment helps the Design Review Boards and staff understand important design issues as they review the project.
Anyone may submit a
public comment online.
For projects reviewed by a Design Review Board, you may also comment at the
Design Review Board meeting
Use the
Design Guidelines
to craft your comments before you submit them to us. The Design Review Boards and staff can only consider comments that relate to the Design Guidelines.
Design Review focuses on design: the building’s size and shape, exterior building materials, proposed plants and trees, and other elements within the Design Guidelines.
Design review can’t consider comments about things like housing affordability, displacement, permitted building height, density, parking, traffic, potential landslides, etc. The City of Seattle has other code requirements for those topics, but they are not part of Design Review.
Apply to serve on a Design Review Board
Each year the City asks for volunteers to serve on the Design Review Boards.
The application period opens in November and runs through the end of December
The Mayor and City Council appoint Design Review Board members for 2-year terms
Board members must live in the City of Seattle
Design Review Board members should have knowledge of, or interest in, architecture, urban design, and the development process
Board members spend approximately 15 hours a month attending and preparing for board meetings, held twice a month in the evenings
For questions, please contact Erika Ikstrums,
erika.ikstrums@seattle.gov
Get Involved with a Neighborhood Group
Neighborhood groups are community organizations that operate separately from City government. They may focus on many topics important to their neighborhoods, and often comment on proposed Design Review projects. To get involved:
Contact your community council, chamber, or other local group and seek to join them on upcoming project reviews. To make your group more effective, find people who are passionate about design and inform others about upcoming project reviews.
Participate in the development of new or updated neighborhood Design Guidelines.
What Do You Want To Do?
View Design Review Calendar
Search Project Reviews
Research My Property
Comment on a Project
Check Permit Status
Submit Your Packet
Download the
instructions
Ready to send?
Upload
your packet
Still Need Help?
Ask Us
Most services are available online through our
SDCI Services page.
Online
Design Review Permit - Full Review
Design Review Permit - Administrative Review
Design Review Permit - Streamlined Review
Design Review - Stakeholders Meetings
Send Us a Question
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Construction and Inspections
Sam Steele, Interim Director
700 5th Ave, Suite 2000, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA, 98124-4019
Phone:
(206) 684-8600
Phone Alt:
Violation Complaint Line:
(206) 615-0808
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