Shoreline, WA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

SMC § 20.50.630 establishes the Deep Green Incentive Program to encourage Living and Deep Green Buildings by allowing departures from Development Code requirements that would otherwise act as regulatory barriers. Projects qualify by registering with a recognized third-party certifier, the International Living Future Institute, Built Green, US Green Building Council, Passive House Institute US, or Salmon Safe, and are sorted into four tiers: Tier 1 requires full Living Building Challenge or Living Community Challenge certification; Tier 2 requires Built Green Emerald Star or three or more ILFI Petals; Tier 3 covers LEED Platinum, Built Green 5-Star, or PHIUS+ Source Zero or Zero Energy paired with Salmon Safe; and Tier 4 covers PHIUS+ or Built Green 4-Star.

Qualifying projects can receive fee waivers scaled to tier, from a 100 percent waiver of preapplication and permit application fees at Tier 1 down to 25 percent at Tier 4, plus a reduced transportation impact fee based on a project-level analysis and expedited permit review at no added cost under Chapter 3.01 SMC. The Director, acting through the administrative design review process in SMC § 20.30.297, can also grant departures from residential density limits, up to a 100 percent density bonus at Tier 1, lot coverage standards, solid-waste storage standards, and structure height, up to a 10-foot bonus in zones with a height limit above 35 feet or a 20-foot bonus where the limit is 45 feet or more.

In exchange, projects must report progress: proof of a scheduled preliminary audit within six months of occupancy, and full independent certification from ILFI or USGBC/GBCI within two years, or face civil penalties for missed reporting deadlines and a penalty of up to 5 percent of construction value for failing final compliance.