Unreinforced Masonry Buildings - Project Documents

Project Documents

List of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

• New URM Database Viewer (Updated January 2025). To view data as a table:
  
  • From the landing page, scroll down the “Details” menu, under the “Records” heading, select “View data table”
  • From the map, select the gridded table icon on the far right of the screen
• Procedure to Appeal URM Building Designation
• Procedure to Apply for Retrofitted URM Status in the URM Database
  
  • Application Form for Retrofitted URM Status in the URM Database

URM Retrofit Technical Information

• 2021 Seattle Existing Building Code, adopted November 15, 2024, defines minimum standards for URM buildings to be recognized as “Retrofitted” in the City’s URM database and codifies the Alternate Method for the Seismic Improvement of URMs.
• Slides and Recording from the October 17, 2024, URM Retrofit Recognition Technical Briefing

• Materials on the development of this standard can be found on the Background page under the header “URM Retrofit Technical Standard Development.”

Technical Engineering Resources

• URM Pre-Submittal Conference Seismic Retrofit Questionnaire. If you are trying to qualify your URM building for the Alternate Method, fill out this form and bring it with you to the pre-Submittal Conference.
• Construction Pre-Submittal Conference Application. Use this form to schedule a Construction Pre-Submittal Conference. Under “Application Type” Be sure to select both “Construction only Pre-Submittal Conference” and “Unreinforced masonry (URM) building.”
  

Available Funding Resources

• See our Does the City have funding to assist owners with the retrofit of URM buildings FAQ for detailed information about the following funding resources

Financial Resources in Development:

• Proposed transfer of development rights program for URMs
  • Meeting notes and opportunities to engage in this conversation can be found on the SDCI URMS Background page, under the heading Funding Working Group.
• Seattle is interested in creating a URM retrofit reimbursement program similar to a successful program implemented in Berkeley, California. 
• Seattle is coordinating with the Washington Emergency Management Division and the state’s Seismic Safety Subcommittee to explore additional statewide funding incentives to support URM retrofits