Seattle officials propose easing permit rules for small businesses

Seattle officials are looking to make it easier and more affordable for small businesses to fill long-vacant commercial spaces.

Mayor Bruce Harrell and City Council President Sara Nelson recently introduced two measures aimed at reducing permitting barriers for small businesses, part of a broader strategy to simplify the city's complex permitting system.

The proposed changes would allow small retail and commercial tenants — those occupying 7,000 square feet or less — to bypass certain substantial alteration requirements under Seattle's building code for existing structures. The code currently requires costly upgrades to fire safety, ventilation and seismic systems, even if the use remains largely the same.

"We are committed to building a thriving economy by championing both bold new ideas and making the technical fixes that help our small businesses start, grow and succeed," Harrell said in a news release. "This legislation removes hurdles and burdensome costs that have consequential impacts on small businesses looking to activate our business districts."

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2025/08/07/small-businesses-permitting-ease-mayor-council.html