Council adopts interim design review changes to comply with new state law; supporters and critics urge quick permanent rewrite

The Seattle City Council on Sept. 23 passed interim legislation (CB 121048) to temporarily suspend required design review for specified housing projects while the city updates permanent design review rules to comply with new state law (House Bill ESHB 1293). The council adopted the measure after a committee report recommending a six‑month stopgap.

Councilmember Rob Solomon, who provided the committee report, said the interim legislation is intended to provide a stopgap while the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) updates the design-review program and guidelines. "The interim design review legislation is intended to provide a 6 month stopgap before council adopts permanent design review regulations anticipated to be completed in spring 2026," Solomon said.

Supporters argued the temporary suspension will both ensure compliance with state law and reduce potential permitting delays tied to an older local design‑review process that must be updated. Councilmember Alex Kettle said he supports design review in principle but acknowledged the program needs revision to meet state requirements and local goals. He told colleagues he had seen design review work well in some neighborhoods and that the interim legislation should allow SDCI and the council time to craft permanent, improved rules.

Public commenters voiced mixed views. Some neighborhood and downtown groups urged caution, arguing the removal of mandatory design review could eliminate early public input and result in lower-quality or less-neighborly design outcomes for downtown and other areas. June Blue Spruce and several others called for delaying action and for a longer public comment window.

Councilmembers said the interim suspension is limited and tied to the timeline for permanent regulations; the council passed the bill on a roll-call vote of 9-0.

What the interim measure does: CB 121048 temporarily suspends mandatory design review for a six-month period while SDCI adopts permanent rules required by state law and updates design guidelines and related processes. It allows administrative and voluntary design-review pathways during the interim period.

Why this matters: Design review governs early-stage public input and key project design decisions for many multifamily and mixed-use developments. The interim measure aims to align Seattle with new state requirements and create a window for SDCI and the council to craft a permanent design-review framework. Critics say suspending mandatory review risks reducing community input on projects in the near term.

Next steps: SDCI and council central staff will work on permanent design-review legislation and guidelines, with a target timeframe discussed as spring 2026 for adoption of permanent rules; the council and stakeholders will continue outreach and hearings during that period.