Seattle Upzones its Urban Core

A large swatch of downtown and an adjacent neighborhood can develop taller and denser after the Seattle City Council approved zoning changes this week.

1 minute read

April 16, 2017, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Mt. Rainier

Artazum / Shutterstock

"The Seattle City Council voted 9-0 Monday to approve an upzone of downtown and South Lake Union," reports Daniel Beekman.

Under the rezoning, new developments will be required to include rent-controlled units or pay in-lieu fees, according to the regulations put forth in the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability program. The downtown and South Lake Union zoning changes are calibrated to create an estimated 2,100 rent-restricted units.

While this rezoning is taking place in the urban core of the city, many other neighborhoods should expect similar zoning changes in the near future. "The upzone is the second of more than two dozen that Mayor Ed Murray wants the council to approve this year and next," adds Beekman. "He says the upzones and MHA program can create 6,000 rent-restricted units over 10 years."

Hat tip to Antonio Pacheco for sharing the news of the upzoning decision.

Monday, April 10, 2017 in The Seattle Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18 - Inside Climate News

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18 - Mass Transit

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivers remarks at his swearing-in ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

Raised interest rates may kill financially vulnerable construction projects

The chief economist at ConstructConnect warns that if construction project owners are negatively impacted by the raised rates, it could result in delayed payments to contractors.

September 18 - Construction Dive