Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has signed new legislation waiving the design review process for certain new development projects in key downtown neighborhoods. Part of Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan (DAP), the measure aims to increase economic activity, reduce project timelines, and lower costs, ultimately revitalizing Seattle’s urban core by encouraging faster, more cost-effective development.
Harrell’s proposal introduces a three-year waiver from the traditional design review for residential, hotel, and research and development (R&D) projects located in areas such as the downtown core, South Lake Union, Uptown, First Hill, and portions of the Greater Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center. City planners estimate that by eliminating design review for these projects, six to nine months could be shaved off the planning and design process, making it easier to start construction and open new facilities.
“The Downtown Activation Plan is our blueprint to revitalize Seattle’s downtown core as a safe, active, and vibrant shopping, cultural, entertainment, employment, and residential destination for families, workers, and visitors,” said Mayor Harrell. “This legislation establishes a more efficient, flexible design review process that will reduce the time and cost of development, cutting through red tape to make new projects easier and more cost-effective to build. This will add more housing and employment opportunities in downtown neighborhoods, strengthening the heart of our city and supporting its continued economic growth now and into the future.”
The three-year design review exemption will allow developers to bypass certain aesthetic-focused reviews; however, all projects must still meet Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) requirements related to land use, building codes, health, and safety. The exemption helps clear away procedural hurdles that can increase both costs and delays, which developers and city leaders say contribute to rising rents, housing shortages, and overall reduced development feasibility.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the waiver is timely, given Seattle’s urgent need for both housing and economic growth in the downtown area. The Downtown Activation Plan includes additional measures aimed at transforming the downtown area into a more resident-friendly and business-friendly zone. Key elements include expanding street-level uses to fill vacant storefronts, encouraging the conversion of commercial buildings into residential spaces, advancing rezoning along Third Avenue to allow for more housing, and creating greater flexibility for siting hotels in areas like Belltown. The DAP also introduces fee waivers for permits needed for food trucks, food carts, sidewalk events, and activities designed to attract more people to the area. An initiative called Seattle Restored will also activate vacant storefronts, bringing in local small businesses and artists to re-energize the retail landscape and enhance community engagement.
City Councilmember Bob Kettle emphasized the importance of the new legislation to Seattle’s overall economic health.
“The design review exemption is a necessary and important step in an effort to revitalize Downtown Seattle,” said Kettle. “Creating an economic draw for innovation in commercial and especially residential projects is crucial in activating Downtown and our city overall. I want to thank Mayor Harrell for advancing these efforts.”
The business community has voiced strong support for the new policy, especially in light of recent challenges developers face with the permitting process.
“We applaud the Mayor and City Council for reducing barriers and increasing predictability in the permitting process,” said Andy Wattula, Chief Operating Officer of Hudson Pacific Properties, which hosted the signing event. “This new policy builds on the momentum from the Mayor’s already impactful Downtown Activation Plan and underscores that Seattle is open for new businesses and residents.”
Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the benefits of cutting through procedural red tape.
“Cutting through the red tape and making it easier to build and invest in downtown Seattle comes at a critical moment in our continued revitalization,” Scholes said. “Speeding up this process means getting projects online faster, bringing more people and activity to the heart of the city.”
With downtown Seattle’s post-pandemic recovery still underway, the city aims to seize recent positive trends. According to city metrics, downtown activity has increased significantly, with over 3 million visitors in September, close to 90,000 weekday workers, and hotel occupancy rates reaching pre-pandemic levels. By removing barriers to development, city leaders hope to attract more residents and businesses and solidify this recovery.
The exemption comes at a time when Seattle faces mounting pressure to address a significant housing crisis, which has driven rent prices up as new development has slowed in recent years. Developers have noted that the design review process has become an obstacle, lengthening timelines and creating additional financial burdens.
“This legislation will send a strong message that Seattle is serious about meeting its housing crisis and affordability needs,” Tejal Pastakia, founder of Pastakia & Associates. “Over the last decade, Seattle’s permitting process has stretched from 12-18 months to over two years. Design review costs are so cumbersome, projects often don’t even get a chance to start. By making it a clear, streamlined process, we will begin to see more housing delivered faster throughout Downtown.”
The Downtown Activation Plan, as a whole, signals a shift in Seattle’s approach to downtown development. Where past processes often prioritized extensive review over expediency, the new policies prioritize growth, flexibility, and affordability in hopes of creating a more inclusive and economically vibrant downtown. By minimizing obstacles for developers, the plan seeks to meet Seattle’s economic and housing needs while creating an environment where more residents, workers, and visitors can enjoy a revitalized downtown.
Further legislation to support this vision is expected, including a proposal introduced by Mayor Harrell last year that would permanently exempt affordable housing projects from design review.