Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Seattle, WA (2026)
2 verified zoning overlays & bonuses rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Density Bonus Law
Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability program (SMC 23.58B-C) grants extra height and FAR in upzoned areas in exchange for on-site affordable units or in-lieu fees. MHA evolved from the 2015 HALA framework.
MHA Trades Density for Affordable Housing Contributions
Some RestrictionsSeattle Office of Housing — Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) Program
Mandatory Housing Affordability — Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) ensures that new commercial and multifamily residential development contributes to affordable housing. This is done by requiring new developments to include affordable housing (performance option) or contribute to the Seattle Office of Housing fund to support the development of affordable housing (payment option). MHA will ...
Downtown Design Guide
Seattle requires Design Review before permitting most downtown development: full design review applies at 50,000 square feet of gross floor area in DOC1, DOC2 or DMC zones, and at 20,000 square feet in DRC, DMR, DH1, DH2, PMM (outside the Pike Place Market Historical District), IB or IC zones. A Design Review Board applies citywide and neighborhood design guidelines before SDCI issues a permit.
Seattle Downtown Design Review Thresholds
Significant RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code § 23.41.004 (Table B)
Subject to the exemptions in subsection 23.41.004.B, design review is required in the following areas or zones when development is proposed that exceeds a threshold in Table A or Table B for 23.41.004: a. Multifamily; b. Commercial; c. Seattle Mixed; and d. Downtown. ... Table B for 23.41.004 — Design review thresholds by size of development in downtown and industrial zones. A. All DOC1, DOC2, ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in King County →