Frequently Asked Questions About SDCI Review Status and Target Due Dates

This article includes information about project reviews, how to view SDCI scheduled target due dates, and how to find your project review status.

How Does SDCI Assign Reviews?

We assign projects using industry-standard “queue theory.” We queue projects in the order they are submitted and assign them to reviewers as they become available. (This is like waiting in a single line at the bank for the next available bank teller.) This way a single project doesn’t become backlogged because a reviewer has an especially challenging project to review or is unexpectedly out of the office. (That would be like getting stuck in a line at the grocery store when someone needs a price-check).

When Will SDCI Assign My Project for Review?

SDCI supervisors assign projects to reviewers in the order they are due, based upon scope, complexity, and priority based on alignment with Citywide or Mayoral objectives.  We commonly assign reviews very close (or sometimes even after) their “target” due dates.  We do this to balance the volume of plans that need review with the staff availability needed to efficiently and effectively review each application.  You should not expect to see reviews assigned until very close to the target due dates. 

What Are SDCI Target Dates?

We use target dates as a way to prioritize and assign projects. The target dates are based upon goals that we established for “typical” application and demand volumes. These dates help us balance our staffing levels to meet those “typical” goals. We may not be able to meet our target dates if we have an unusually high volume of work compared to our available staffing levels. Please consider these constraints when checking your review status. We do our best to get your reviews completed as close as possible to the target due dates. 

What Are the SDCI Review Types?

SDCI has three different types of plan reviews based on the complexity of the project.

Full and Full + projects, also called simple/medium, include projects like tenant improvements, additions and alterations, retaining walls, and accessory dwelling units. Whether a project is Full or Full +, depends on the complexity of the project. If a project needs to be reviewed by other departments, it is automatically considered Full +. The target review time for Full projects is 2 business days. The target review time for Full + projects is between 2 and 4 weeks.

Full Complex projects, also sometimes called Full C, include most new building construction, all Master Use Permits, larger tenant improvements, structural alterations, and larger alterations to mixed use and commercial buildings. The target review time for Full Complex projects is between 8 and 12 weeks.

What Are the Initial Review Timeframes?

Typical initial review timeframes are based on the application’s project type. Typically, we will complete the initial plan review of simple and medium complexity projects within 2 to 4 weeks after we accept your application. We will usually complete projects that are more complex within 8 to 12 weeks after we accept your application. The “due date” listed is in the middle of our target review range (3 weeks for simple/medium projects and 10 weeks for complex projects). We may complete our initial review after the target due date, depending on your project’s complexity and our review capacity.

Our current initial review timelines are listed below

All Reviews:

• For all simple/medium complexity permit applications reviewed  in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 4 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 2-4 weeks.)
• For all complex permit applications reviewed in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 10 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 8-12 weeks.)

In the past 30 days, Energy/Mechanicals are the bottleneck for SDCI reviews (with Zoning running in a close 2nd place).

Energy/Mechanical reviews:

• For all simple/medium complexity permit applications reviewed  in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 4 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 2-4 weeks.)
• For all complex permit applications reviewed  in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 10 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 8-12 weeks.)

In the past 30 days, Fire reviews are the bottleneck for Citywide reviews.

Fire Reviews:

• For all simple/medium complexity permit applications reviewed  in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 5 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 2-4 weeks.)
• For all complex permit applications reviewed  in the past 30 days, 95% have completed in 11 weeks after the application was accepted. (Target Goal is 8-12 weeks.)

How Do I Check the Review Status of My Project?

1. Log in to the Seattle Services Portal.
2. Navigate to the record associated with your project using one of these methods:
   1. Enter your record in the Search box on the home page.
   2. Find your record under the My Records tab.
3. Click the Status link under Record Info.

4. Click the small Carrot next to the hourglass to expand the reviews section.
   

   The example below shows that reviews for this project have a due date of 7/18/2022. Note: The last entry is most current and is the accurate targeted due date.  Please be aware that, when multiple updates to the status of the task happen on the same day, it can be difficult to tell the order.

   

5. Click the small Carrot next to the hourglass by each review to expand it (the hourglass indicates this is an active review).
6. Determine if the review is Pending Assignment (Addressing example) or if it has been Assigned to a reviewer (Ordinance/Structural example).
   
   

7. Repeat Step 5 for each review that has an hourglass to see the status.

   Note: Reviews with checkmarks next to them have already been completed or are not required (as shown in the example below for the Fire review. Expand each review to determine if it was not required or if it was required and has been completed.