With 25 of Seattle lacking infrastructure needed for multifamily housing, legislation would change the way developers pay for water lines and utilities

The Seattle City Council is debating legislation to change the financial responsibility for infrastructure improvements, as 25% of city blocks outside the downtown core lack necessary utilities. Currently, the first developer in these areas bears the full cost of adding infrastructure, often exceeding $500,000, which discourages multifamily housing development. Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed legislation seeks to implement an equitable cost-sharing model to distribute these expenses among all developers benefiting from growth. Data shows that 10% of projects have historically funded 76% of the development-related utility infrastructure costs. The proposed bills aim to revise development charges and grant Seattle Public Utilities the authority to share costs across neighborhoods.

Officials emphasize that the changes will not affect customer utility bills. The council hopes to have the new policy in effect by next year, addressing both housing shortages and infrastructure gaps. This initiative represents a significant step towards equitable development in Seattle.