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SDCI proposes 18% fee increase and an AI permit‑screening purchase; staff warn construction fund will still draw down reserves
Summary
Council central staff told the Select Budget Committee that the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) proposes an approximately 18% fee increase for construction and land‑use permits expected to generate about $8.2 million in 2026, but staff said the construction and inspections fund would still see a drawdown of its core staf
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) staff and council central staff identified an 18% proposed fee increase, a proposed $500,000 purchase and $250,000 annual subscription for AI‑enabled permit completeness screening, and general‑fund additions for several sustainability initiatives in the department’s 2026 proposed budget.
Keto Freeman, Council Central staff, told the Select Budget Committee that the proposed fee change—applied to construction and land‑use permits—would generate about $8.2 million in 2026 and is aimed at maintaining staffing levels and a core staffing reserve used to keep experienced permit reviewers through industry cycles. Even with the fee increase, staff said the core reserve would be…
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