Definitions for Sections 23.40.090 through 23.40.097
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.40.091
in effectFor the purposes of Sections 23.40.090 through 23.40.097 : "Equitable development use" means activities, as determined by rule, where all components and subcomponents of the use provide mitigation against displacement pressure for individuals, households, businesses, or institutions, that comprise a cultural population at risk of displacement. Equitable development uses may include but are not limited to activities such as gathering space, arts and cultural space, educational programming or classes, childcare centers, direct services, job training, or space for other social or civic purposes. Equitable development uses may also include commercial uses, such as commercial kitchens and food processing, craft work and maker spaces, cafes, galleries, co-working spaces, health clinics, office spaces, and retail sales of food and goods. Space occupied by an equitable development use must remain in that use or another equitable development use for a period of at least 50 consecutive years. The requirement that space be occupied by an equitable development use shall be subject to a covenant, regulatory agreement, or other legal instrument recorded on the title of the property and enforceable by The City of Seattle. "Qualifying community development organization" means a nonprofit organization registered with the Washington Secretary of State, a public development authority created pursuant to RCW 35.21.730, or a public housing authority created pursuant to RCW 35.82.030, that has as its purpose the creation or preservation of affordable housing, affordable commercial space, affordable arts space, community gathering spaces, or equitable development uses. A qualifying community development organization may consist of a partnership among one or more qualifying community development organizations, one or more qualifying community development organizations and a partnering for-profit development entity, or a partnership or limited liability company of which at least one qualifying community development organization serves as the controlling general partner or managing member. "Qualifying development" means a development located on a site in which a qualifying community development organization has a legally established and ongoing property-related interest on the date of complete building permit application submittal. To have a legally established and ongoing property-related interest, a qualifying community development organization, alone or in combination with other qualifying community development organizations, shall own at least 51 percent of the property and have a controlling and active management role in a corporation or partnership that owns a property, such as a sole managing member of a limited liability company or sole general partner of a limited partnership. "Racially restrictive covenant" means a discriminatory provision in a property deed or other real estate document that prohibits ownership, lease, or occupation of property based on race, color, religion, or national origin. (Ord. 127308 , § 2, 2026.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026