Comment on a Project

Proposals that include administrative conditional use review are subject to criteria outlined in the Land Use Code. The code includes general provisions as well as zone-specific criteria that are applicable based on the zoning designation. You should reference specific criteria in your comments. For instance, if you are concerned about lighting impacts associated with a private school in a neighborhood residential zone, refer to the Light and Glare criterion.   

Proposals that include full, administrative, or streamlined Design Review are subject to the City's adopted Design Guidelines. The citywide Design Guidelines always apply, but there may be additional neighborhood-specific design guidelines that also apply to a proposal based on its location. You should reference specific Design Guidelines in your comments. For instance, if you are concerned about how a design fits within the context of the existing neighborhood, refer to Design Guideline CS2, Urban Pattern and Form.

Proposals that include an ECA component, such as an ECA variance or exception, are subject to criteria outlined in the ECA Code. You should reference specific criteria in your comments. For instance, if you are concerned about the amount of disturbance within a Steep Slope Erosion Hazard ECA, refer the specific Steep Slope Erosion Hazard Area Variance criteria for intrusion into the ECA.  

Proposals that include a rezone are subject to criteria outlined in the Land Use Code, specifically in the rezone section. The code includes general rezone criteria provisions as well as zone-specific criteria that are applicable based on the proposed zoning designation or increased height limit. You should reference specific criteria in your comments.

Proposals that require a shoreline permit are subject to criteria outlined in the Land Use Code, specifically the Shoreline Master Program. You should reference specific criteria in your comments.

Proposals that include a short plat or subdivision are subject to criteria outlined in the Land Use Code, specifically the platting requirements. You should reference specific criteria in your comments.

Proposals that include SEPA environmental review are subject to the policies outlined in the SEPA Code. You should reference specific SEPA policies in your comments. For instance, if you are concerned about shadow impacts on a public park, refer to the SEPA Shadows on Open Space policy. 

Proposals that include a variance are subject to criteria outlined in the Land Use Code, specifically in the variance section. You should reference specific criteria in your comments.

Certain types of development proposals include an opportunity for the public to comment on the permit application. In our review of the permit application, we consider comments that are within the scope of our review and relate to applicable City codes and design guidelines.

To write an effective comment:

• Note the project number and address
• Review the project file and plans
• Consider criteria (listed above) relevant to the application
• Explain your interest in the project
• Provide additional site or context information that you think is important
• State your concerns or support for aspects of the proposal

You may submit your comments in the following ways:

• Use our public comment tool (preferred method).
• Send your comment by postal mail to:
  Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
  ATTN: Public Notice
  700 Fifth Ave, Ste 2000
  P.O. Box 34019 Seattle, WA 98124-4019
• Comment at a public meeting. Certain types of applications include an opportunity for providing comment at a public meeting or hearing. For example, if a project is subject to full Design Review, you can also provide comments during  a public Design Review Board meeting.

We post all comments, in their entirety, in the Seattle Services Portal and they become part of the public record for that project.

If you need more than the standard 14-day comment period to prepare your comment, you can ask for a 14-day extension, with the following exceptions:

• The comment period for shoreline projects is 30 days, with no extensions allowed. 
• The comment period for Early Design Guidance meetings or Administrative Design Review is 14 days before the meeting or review to allow for comments regarding the design. We do not allow extensions.

To request an extension, use our public comment tool.

During the comment period, you can request a formal interpretation of any development regulation in our land use or environmentally critical area codes. The notice of application includes more information on how to request a code interpretation.

• How to Request a Code Interpretation

After we have published our Master Use Permit decision, you can appeal the decision to the Office of the Hearing Examiner or the State Shorelines Hearings Board. The notice of decision includes more information on how to file an appeal.

• How to Appeal a Decision