By Steve Roos

The Seattle City Council adopted new regulations in February 2017 around undeveloped properties in critical areas including steep slopes, wetlands, streams, and fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas. State law requires cities to adopt and periodically update regulations to protect these areas in accordance with “best available science,” and critical area regulations supplement zoning standards. In most cases, development is prohibited or strictly limited in these areas and their buffers, even if otherwise allowed by zoning regulations. The new rules contain some significant changes compared to those previously in effect, and should be reviewed carefully when planning a new development project.