Seattle Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Seattle held 8 public meetings covering zoning matters. 4 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 4 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was up 42% compared to April (184 activity items across 9 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Housing Opportunities Legislation (CB 121196)

Approved.

Rezones land in University District, Fremont/Stoneway corridor, Madison/Miller neighborhood (including Meredith Matthews YMCA and Ebenezer AME Church parcels along 23rd corridor), Rainier Beach, and downtown to increase housing supply. Removes code barriers for modular and mass timber construction, enables commercial-to-housing conversions, and incentivizes community-serving uses. Vote: 4-0-1 with Council President Hollingsworth abstaining.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Council Bill 121195 - Transitional Encampment/Shelter Expansion (as amended)

Approved.

Interim land-use ordinance expanding capacity of transitional encampments/shelters from 100 to 150 occupants, with one pilot location up to 250 residents, amending SMC 23.42.054 and 23.42.056. Passed as amended (with Amendment A adopted). Vote. Sponsored by Council Member Foster, heard in Land Use and Sustainability Committee chaired by Council Member Lin.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Repeal of residential use in Stadium Transition Area Overlay (SOTO)

Approved.

Council Bill 121171 repeals Ordinance 127191, which had allowed residential use within the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District under SMC 23.74. Repeal ordered for compliance with the Growth Management Hearings Board after the city lost an appeal. Passed.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Repeal of residential use in Stadium Transition Area Overlay District

Approved.

Council Bill 121171 repeals Ordinance 127191 (originally Council Bill 120933), which had allowed residential use as a conditional use east of First Avenue in the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District. Repeal responds to a Growth Management Hearings Board finding that the ordinance was invalid due to procedural errors; the Port petitioned for review. Committee recommended passage; goes to May 12, 2026 council meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Industrial/warehouse → Residential (higher density) at Block between North 34th, North 35th, Stoneway and Woodland Park Ave, Fremont (Multiple property owners including Andrea Breda)
• Lower density → Higher density residential at 23rd corridor, Madison/Miller neighborhood (Ebenezer AME Church, Meredith Matthews YMCA)
• Not specified → Higher density residential at University District (City of Seattle)
• Not specified → Higher density for affordable housing at Rainier Beach neighborhood (Nonprofit partners)
• Not specified → Higher density residential at Downtown/Belltown (City of Seattle)
• Zoning change at Stadium Transition Area Overlay District (SOTO), Seattle
• Zoning change at Stadium Transition Area Overlay District, east of First Avenue, Seattle
• NC2-40 → NC3-65 at 5201 Rainier Avenue South, Columbia City (Eagle Rock Ventures / 5201 Rainier LLC)

Top Keywords This Month

• land use: 94 instances
• zoning: 33 instances
• industrial: 19 instances
• residential: 17 instances
• comprehensive plan: 16 instances

What to Watch

• Land use mentions were up 114% from April.
• Industrial came up 171% more often than April.
• Comprehensive plan saw 220% more mentions month-over-month.

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