Special review, historic and landmark districts.
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.57.014
in effectCommunication utilities and accessory communication devices for which a Certificate of Approval may be required in IDR, PSM, IDM, PMM (see SMC Chapter 25.24 ) zones, the International Special Review District, the Pioneer Square Preservation District, and the Ballard Avenue (SMC Chapter 25.16 ), Columbia City (SMC Chapter 25.20 ) and Harvard-Belmont (SMC Chapter 25.22 ) Landmark Districts shall be sited in a manner that minimizes visibility from public streets and parks and may be permitted as follows: A. Minor communication utilities and accessory communication devices may be permitted subject to the use provisions and development standards of the underlying zone and this chapter, with the following additional height allowance: communication utilities and devices may extend up to four (4) feet above a roof of the structure, regardless of zone height limit. B. An Administrative Conditional Use approval shall be required for communication utilities and accessory devices regulated per Section 23.57.002 , and which do not meet the requirements of subsection A above. Any action under this section shall be subject to the Pioneer Square Preservation District and the International Special Review District review and approval and the Department of Neighborhoods Director; in the Ballard Avenue Landmark District by the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board and the Department of Neighborhoods Director; in the Pike Place Market Historical District by the Pike Place Market Historical Commission, and in the Columbia City Landmark District and the Harvard-Belmont Landmark District by the Landmarks Preservation Board, according to the following criteria: 1. Location on rooftops is preferred, set back toward the center of the roof as far as possible. If a rooftop location is not feasible, communication utilities and accessory communication devices may be mounted on secondary building facades. Siting on primary building facades may be permitted only if the applicant shows it is impossible to site the devices on the roof or secondary facade. Determination of primary and secondary building facades will be made by the appropriate board or commission. 2. Communication utilities and accessory communication devices shall be installed in a manner that does not hide, damage or obscure architectural elements of the building or structure. 3. Visibility shall be further minimized by painting, screening, or other appropriate means, whichever is less obtrusive. Creation of false architectural features to obscure the device is discouraged. (Ord. 120928 § 35, 2002: Ord. 116295 , § 25, 1992.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026