We work with property owners, developers, residents and business owners to support thoughtful development in our City.
For questions, contact the Economic Development Program at 206-973-4843 or email ayeremeyev@cityofseatac.com.
We support development that helps us grow as a vibrant, walkable and connected city. We're committed to working with all property owners and developers to make the development process as easy as possible.
We’re especially focused on mixed-use development near light rail stations. These areas can support housing, jobs, shops, services and gathering places close to transit.
“Good things are happening in the City of SeaTac. We feel that the City is dynamic, they are trying to grow, they are putting in the right programs in place, we think this could benefit other organizations. So I would encourage them to come, and sit down and talk with the City of SeaTac. They are extremely accommodating and they want nothing more than to bring good business to the region and that’s our intent and why we chose to move to the City of SeaTac.”
— Mark Siegel, President, Advanced Broadcast Solutions
Outside of Seattle and Tacoma, we are the only city served by more than one Link light rail station. These three stations have created major opportunities by improving connections to and from the Seattle area and supporting new development and redevelopment. We see this as an opportunity to encourage redevelopment around the stations and support the goals in our Station Area Action Plans, Comprehensive Plan and City Center Plan. These plans envision lively commercial and residential areas with walkable neighborhoods, shops, services and places to gather.
View the 1999 City Center Plan(PDF, 5MB)
SeaTac/Airport Station Area (Near International Boulevard and South 176th Street)
The SeaTac/Airport Station Area will include a mix of commercial, residential and civic use. We envision this area as a true city center with a vibrant entertainment district with:
- Housing
- Businesses
- Restaurants and shops
- Entertainment venues
- Parks and plazas
- Civic uses
- Easy access to high-capacity transit
This 82-acre area is a short pedestrian bridge walk from SeaTac International Airport and the terminus station of Sound Transit’s Airport Link light rail service, which began service to downtown Seattle in December 2009. We're actively pursuing redevelopment of this station area.
View the SeaTac/Airport Station Area Plan(PDF, 5MB)
Tukwila International Boulevard Station Area (at International Boulevard and South 154th Street)
We envision this area as a vibrant, mixed-use residential neighborhood that connects people of various backgrounds. This station will be:
- Attractive
- Walkable
- Easy to reach by transit
- Supportive of housing, jobs and local businesses
We envision this station area to be a regional example of transit-oriented development that generates and encourages transit use. The station area will accommodate future growth by providing high-quality residential and mixed-use developments with good access to employment centers. These attributes create a good place for families, an interesting place for visitors, a profitable place for businesses and a special gathering place to celebrate cultural diversity.
Sound Transit’s light rail began service from this station to downtown Seattle in July 2009 and to the SeaTac International Airport in July 2009. We're actively pursuing private investment and redevelopment of this station area by a comprehensive implementation strategy that will require significant public investment.
View the South 154th Street Station Area Plan(PDF, 6MB)
Angle Lake Station Area (at 200th Street and 28th Avenue South)
Since the station opened in 2016, the area has supported new housing and commercial projects. Several significantly sized parcels are also ready for large-scale development.
View the Angle Lake Station Area Plan(PDF, 28MB)
The New Economic Strategic Triangle study, also called NEST, looked at underused properties near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
NEST is a partnership between:
- SeaTac
- Burien
- Des Moines
- Port of Seattle
- Puget Sound Economic Development District
The study identified eight underutilized properties near SeaTac International Airport for future development. We continue to monitor and encourage development of port-owned properties in our City that were identified through the study. The sites have been earmarked for off-airport industrial uses and could be employment, retail sales tax and leasehold excise tax generators. We will monitor development plans for the Des Moines Creek Business Park as it serves as a model for other NEST sites such as the 55-acre parcel.
We support new housing development in areas where it is allowed by zoning. This includes single-family housing and multi-family housing, especially in the City Center and station areas.
You can view current private construction project locations on the Development Pipeline Map.
Zoning rules explain what can be built in different parts of our City. They include standards for:
- Building height
- Setbacks
- Landscaping
- Parking
- City Center requirements
- Multi-family design standards
View our zoning code
The Comprehensive Plan guides our long-term growth. It includes goals and policies for:
- Land use
- Housing
- Transportation
- Critical areas
- Parks and recreation
- Economic vitality
- Community image
We review the Comprehensive Plan each year and consider amendment requests from the public.
View the Comprehensive Plan
View the Comprehensive Plan map
Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption
Developers may qualify for an 8- to 12-year tax exemption for eligible housing projects in residential target areas.
Eligible projects must meet requirements such as:
- Be located in a designated residential target area
- Include at least 20 dwelling units
- Finish construction within three years after application approval
- Meet all other requirements in the ordinance
View more on the Multi-Family Property Tax Exemption program page.
Some projects may qualify for other tools or incentives. These resources are reviewed case by case. Some are managed by other regional, state or federal agencies.
When a resource may support a proposed project and benefit our City, we may provide technical assistance or advocacy.
Possible resources may include:
Public-private partnerships
Strategic investments
We may consider buying, combining or preparing large properties for future development. This could include joint development near the SeaTac City Center/Airport light rail station, located near International Boulevard and South 176th Street.
Outside the Box Funding
Some projects may qualify for unique funding or partnership opportunities. These could include state programs, tribal land exchange opportunities or designation as a project of statewide significance.
Community renewal
Community Renewal Area
Due to recent legislation, we may be able to use a wide range of financing mechanisms to improve a specific area. To use this option, we would need to identify and designate a specific geographic area as a Community Renewal Area. We may also explore whether federal New Markets Tax Credits could apply to future projects.
Local Improvement District and Parking and Business Improvement area
A Local Improvement District and a Parking and Business Improvement Area are two ways to help fund parking improvements. These options may use assessments paid by nearby businesses or property owners.
Tax increment financing (TIF), public development authorities (PDA) and public facilities districts (PFD)
Tax increment financing and public development authorities can help cities reinvest some tax revenue into a carefully defined geographic area or individual project. PFDs may also provide funding authority for some economic development activities.
State and federal programs
High-tech tax exemptions
Washington offers several tax exemptions for high-tech companies. Many of these programs focus on economically distressed areas, so they may have limited use in our City.
Transportation grants and loans
Transportation grants and loans may support some projects, especially larger development projects.
Warehouse and aerospace tax incentives
Washington offers several tax incentives for the aerospace and warehousing industries.
Public use and purpose
Local government funds may be used with public-private development when a project includes a public benefit. Examples from other projects in Washington include:
- On-site and off-site infrastructure
- Public parking facilities
- Parks, plazas, event spaces and open space
- Site acquisition and preparation for public use
- Air rights development
For more information about these incentives, contact the Economic Development Division.
Development permitting is on the third floor of City Hall with review staff and departments co-located for efficient service to development clients. We are always evaluating and implementing improvements to deliver permits more quickly and with greater predictability for developers and builders, in an effort to offer the personal service and direct access to highly qualified technical staff.
Recent improvements include:
- Designation of a high-level staff person as project manager for all commercial projects exceeding 5,000 square feet
- This single point of contact for the developer will assure early coordinated and clear feedback to the applicant and will advocate for timely resolution of issues
- Confirmation of review time goals and publishing performance on meeting review times.
- Cross-training and certification for development counter staff to improve customer service on all types of permits.
You can get help through:
- Pre-application meetings with City departments
- A group of technical staff guides potential applicants through the process for their proposed development and advises on options to address site issues
- Tuesday afternoon appointments are available within two weeks of request
- Technical staff support at the permit counter
- Online permit status updates
The Information Counter is open 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For questions, contact the Building Services Division at 206-973-4750.
You can look up many permit records online.
Some land use files are not available in the online system, including short plats, preliminary site plan reviews and State Environmental Policy Act files.
To request a list of land use files, contact Community and Economic Development at 206-973-4840.