Designation Process

It is possible to designate new locations for Green Streets and Neighborhood Green Streets. A proposal for a new designation can be made by private development proponents, community groups, or any other organized local interest. A designation request may come through SDOT, OPCD, SDCI, or the Department of Neighborhoods (DON).  The City will assess the eligibility of the proposed Green Street or Neighborhood Green Street based on the criteria defined below.

Designating a Green Street is a land use action that must be approved by the City through an Ordinance process. The Land Use Code (SMC Title 23) defines criteria for each type of land use and zoning designation to ensure that any change to land use or zoning is made according to a set of consistent criteria. The siting criteria for Green Streets are as follows:

1. Streets in medium and high-density areas where residents generally do not have access to private yards, existing open space is very limited, and land is not available for future open space development.
2. Streets within or providing connections to pedestrian-oriented neighborhood commercial areas where Green Street improvements could reinforce commercial and mixed use activity, and enhance the quality of the pedestrian environment without conflicting with the desired traffic circulation.
3. Streets at critical locations in redeveloping areas that could serve as a focus for new development and provide direction for desirable changes in land use patterns. Examples might include streets that, as Green Streets, could strengthen the residential character of areas where efforts are being made to promote residential development or stabilize an existing neighborhood.
4. Streets and street ends which make safer pedestrian and bicycle connections with neighborhood attractions, such as schools, shopping areas, public facilities, institutions and public open spaces, or streets integrated with the City’s urban trail network.
5. Streets that have a special character that is of interest to pedestrians, including streets providing shoreline access, streets with special views, and streets located in areas of unique historic or architectural interest.
6. Undeveloped streets within designated open spaces where it is desirable to retain the undeveloped conditions of the surroundings.
7. Streets that are not designated as a truck street, per the Freight Master Plan.

Criteria for Designating New Neighborhood Green Streets

There are no official criteria for Neighborhood Green Streets in the Seattle Municipal Code. This chapter identifies the following as appropriate criteria for Neighborhood Green Streets.

1. Neighborhood Green Streets shall support multiple functions in the street right-of-way, especially pedestrian access and landscaping. Streets that are good candidates for traffic calming are also appropriate, as streets with slower traffic enhance conditions for pedestrians and support the Neighborhood Green Street concept.
2. Streets that are direct links to major transit facilities and light rail stations.
3. Streets and street ends which make safer pedestrian and bicycle connections with neighborhood attractions, such as schools, shopping areas, public facilities, institutions and public open spaces, or streets integrated with the City’s Urban Trails Network.
4. Streets that have a special character that is of interest to pedestrians, including streets providing shoreline access, streets with special views, and streets located in areas of unique historic or architectural interest.
5. Undeveloped streets or streets that are not fully improved (e.g., sidewalk, curb and gutter) where it is desirable to retain the undeveloped conditions of the surroundings. In some cases, property access on undeveloped streets may necessitate that a minimum level of improvements be completed, but not required at the full standard.
6. Streets that are not designated as part of the FTN network, per the Transit Master Plan.