Zoning Page

Roots to Roofs Bonus Pilot Program Ordinance for Equitable Development

  • When: 2025/09/23
  • Address: Citywide
  • City: Seattle
  • State: WA
  • Category: Zoning Code Modification
  • Subcategory: Process updates
  • Asset Class: Multifamily
  • Property Type: Affordable Housing
  • Planning Department: True

The proposal establishes the Roots to Roofs Bonus Pilot Program, a term-limited initiative to encourage development of low to moderate income housing and neighborhood-serving equitable development uses in Seattle. The pilot aims to mitigate displacement pressure and address land use patterns from redlining and racially restrictive covenants. It offers additional height, allowable floor area, and exemptions from design review and parking minimums for projects that provide affordable housing and are located in areas with historical racially restrictive covenants or provide equitable development uses. The program will run until 2035 or after 35 qualifying projects, whichever comes first, and requires qualifying developments to provide at least 25% affordable units. The Directors of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI), the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), and OH will promulgate a Director's Rule to administer the program.

Source

City Representative - Ketil Freeman