Transfer of development rights (TDR) and transfer of development potential (TDP) in SM-U zones
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.48.623
in effectA. General standards 1. For the purposes of this Section 23.48.623 , the transfer of development rights to gain extra non-residential floor area in a project on a receiving site is TDR and the transfer of development potential to gain extra residential floor area in a project on a receiving site is TDP. 2. The following types of TDR and TDP may be transferred to the extent permitted in Table A for 23.48.623, subject to the limits and conditions of this Chapter 23.48 and the standards for the use of TDR and TDP in Section 23.58A.042 : a. Landmark TDR and TDP; b. Open space TDR and TDP; and c. Vulnerable masonry structure TDR and TDP. Table A for 23.48.623 Permitted use of TDR and TDP Zone Type of TDR or TDP Landmark Open space Vulnerable masonry structure SM-U 85, SM-U 75-240, and SM-U 95-320 S, R S, R S, R SM-U/R 75-240 S, R 1 S, R 1 S, R 1 NC3-55 2 , NC3-65 2 , NC3-75 2 S S S MR 2 S X X Key to Table A for 23.48.623 S = Eligible sending lot location R = Eligible receiving lot location X = Not eligible as either a sending lot or receiving lot location Footnotes to Table A for 23.48.623 1 Only TDP can be used on receiving lots 2 Only lots located within the University District Regional Center west of 15 th Avenue NE. B. Sending sites. Eligible sending site locations are shown on Table A for 23.48.623. Eligible TDR and TDP sending sites shall meet the definition of an open space, vulnerable masonry structure, or Landmark TDR or TDP sending site in Chapter 23.84A and comply with all applicable standards in this Chapter 23.48 and Section 23.58A.042 . C. Receiving sites. Receiving site locations are shown on Table A for 23.48.623. Only lots zoned SM-U within the University District Regional Center west of 15th Avenue NE are eligible receiving sites, and the amount of extra floor area that can be gained through the use of TDR and TDP on an eligible receiving site is specified in Section 23.48.622 . D. Except as provided in subsection 23.47A.009.E.2.b, the maximum amount of TDR and TDP that can be transferred from an eligible sending site shall not exceed an amount of floor area equivalent to the numerical value of the base FAR of the zone in which the sending site is located, as shown on Table A, Table B, and Table C for 23.48.620, multiplied by the lot area of the sending site and minus the sum of any chargeable floor area on the lot plus any TDR and TDP previously transferred. (Ord. 127375 , § 65, 2025; Ord. 125267 , § 26, 2017.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026