Seattle Zoning Map & Districts 2026
Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Seattle, WA. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Zoning Districts in Seattle
Common zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction. Exact district names and codes may vary.
Predominantly residential zone allowing houses and accessory dwelling units, with the largest minimum lot area of the neighborhood residential zones (SMC Ch. 23.44).
Predominantly residential zone allowing houses and accessory dwelling units, with a medium minimum lot area (SMC Ch. 23.44).
Predominantly residential zone allowing houses and accessory dwelling units, with the smallest minimum lot area of the neighborhood residential zones (SMC Ch. 23.44).
Lowrise multifamily zone permitting small-scale multifamily housing; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.45.
Lowrise multifamily zone permitting moderate-scale multifamily housing; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.45.
Lowrise multifamily zone permitting the largest scale of lowrise multifamily development, most appropriate within designated growth areas; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.45.
Midrise multifamily residential zone allowing taller apartment development than lowrise zones; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.45.
Highrise multifamily residential zone allowing the tallest residential development, typically near urban centers; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.45.
Zone allowing a mix of residential and commercial uses; the classification is combined with an additional multifamily zone designation (SMC 23.30.010).
Small-scale, pedestrian-oriented commercial zone serving surrounding neighborhoods; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.47A.
Commercial zone characterized by an attractive pedestrian environment with medium businesses and lot sizes; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.47A.
Larger-scale commercial zone accommodating single-purpose commercial structures and office buildings; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.47A.
Auto-oriented, primarily retail and service commercial zone; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.47A.
Auto-oriented commercial zone providing a range of non-retail businesses to the larger community and that may be adjacent to industrial zones; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.47A.
Mixed-use zone allowing a broad range of residential, commercial, and other uses in designated areas; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.48.
Industrial zone intended to promote general and heavy manufacturing and other industrial uses with no maximum height limit except in specified cases; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.50.
Industrial zone allowing a broader mix of uses and more established development than IG1; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.50.
Industrial zone intended to buffer industrial areas from adjacent non-industrial zones, allowing light and general manufacturing and services; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.50.
Industrial zone intended to promote development that combines industrial and commercial uses; regulated under SMC Ch. 23.50.
Recent Rezoning Activity in Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
The official Seattle zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://seattlecitygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=f822b2c6498c4163b0cf908e2241e9c2. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.
Common zoning districts in Seattle include residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), commercial (C-1, C-2), industrial (I-1, I-2), mixed-use (MU), and planned development (PD). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Seattle to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) administers the city's zoning and Land Use Code. SDCI issues land use, construction, and trade permits, conducts inspections, and ensures compliance with the codes. Seattle's zoning is a city-level function; the legal basis is the Land Use Code in Seattle Municipal Code Title 23, Subtitle III (Land Use Regulations). The Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) develops the long-range plans and policies that guide growth, including the Comprehensive Plan.
SDCI directs property owners to the City's official land use (zoning) map, an interactive web application maintained by the department. Zoning districts are adopted by ordinance and specify the types of uses allowed in each district. Seattle's zones fall into major categories including Neighborhood Residential, commercial (such as Neighborhood Commercial), industrial, and downtown zoning, as established in the Land Use Code (SMC Title 23).
A Master Use Permit is the land use application SDCI uses for projects requiring discretionary review under Seattle Municipal Code criteria, and it can involve public notice, a comment period, and appeal rights. There are five decision types: Type I (SDCI decides, not appealable), Type II (SDCI decides after public notice; appealable to the City Hearing Examiner or the Shoreline Hearings Board), Type III (subdivisions decided by the City Hearing Examiner after a public hearing and SDCI recommendation), Type IV Council actions such as rezones (City Council decides after a Hearing Examiner recommendation), and Type V Council actions such as Land Use Code amendments or area-wide rezones (City Council decides after public notice and SDCI recommendation).
As of October 26, 2025, the City adopted temporary rules that pause the requirement for Design Review, making it voluntary for new development proposals, to align with Washington State House Bill 1293. Seattle's Design Review program otherwise offers three pathways: Streamlined Design Review and Administrative Design Review (handled by SDCI staff for many smaller buildings) and Full Design Review (which includes public Design Review Board meetings plus staff review) for larger buildings. SDCI has stated the temporary rules remain in place while it develops long-term updates to the program and its Design Guidelines.
The One Seattle Plan, Seattle's updated 20-year Comprehensive Plan, was adopted by City Council on December 16, 2025 (Council Bill 120985) and took effect January 21, 2026. Accompanying zoning-compliance legislation, effective the same date, consolidated the former neighborhood residential categories into a single Neighborhood Residential (NR) zone to comply with Washington State House Bill 1110 (middle housing). These changes are implemented through the Land Use Code by SDCI and OPCD.
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