Rafn's Roundup of Interesting News in Commercial Real Estate as well as a Little Shameless Self-Promotion
//Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) Permit Fee Increase
From SDCI’s 2026 Proposed Budget document:
“The 2026 Endorsed Budget includes a 6.5% annual inflationary fee adjustment to recover the costs of permitting and inspections. Recognizing that additional permitting staff layoffs would affect permit issuance timelines, the 2026 Proposed Budget legislation includes an additional 18% increase in value-based building development plan review and permit fees to compensate for an expected decline in major building permit applications. The proposed budget legislation also includes changes to permit and inspection certificate fees for Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO), electrical OTC permit fees, some tree review items and creates a subsidy for unreinforced masonry projects to incentivize projects that improve public safety and resiliency of neighborhoods with historic buildings.”
Bellwether Housing's Record-Breaking Fundraiser
Bellwether Housing’s annual fundraiser, Closer to Home, raised $628,000 this year to support the creation of more affordable housing units and to provide services to Bellwether’s residents. The amount raised is the highest in Bellwether’s 15 years of hosting the event.
But as Bellwether says, “the true story of the day wasn’t just the numbers. It was the moments that reminded everyone of why this work is so important.”
In addition to raising funds for much-needed housing and support services, the event also featured the stories of two Bellwether residents, Ruth and Taryn, who spoke about the power of community and connection.
The Rafn Company has been a longtime building partner and supporter of Bellwether Housing, and we are proud to continue supporting their work and vision.
Our Whole Community: A Record-Breaking Closer to Home Fundraiser
//Bellwether Housing
Current Rafn Projects
- 3400 Phinney Building Restoration
- AMLI Redmond Apartments
- Medgar Evers Pool Exploratory*
- Pacific Apartments Renovation
- Recology King County
*Select demo to expose rebar at both North and South skylights.
Recent Rafn Anniversaries
- Darren 35 yrs
- Chris 34 yrs
- Brent 31 yrs
- Ray 29 yrs
- Art 26 yrs
- Chip 24 yrs
- Joe 24 yrs
- Mario 19 yrs
- Remigio 19 yrs
- Patrick 18 yrs
- Keegan 14 yrs
- Jered 13 yrs
- William 12 yrs
- Ben 11 yrs
- Jim 10 yrs
- Shawn 8 yrs
- Tanner 4 yrs
- Ryan 2 yrs
- Jeremy 2 yrs
- Jorge 2 yrs
- Jonathan 1 yr
- Chris 1 yr
Correct Toilet Paper Orientation?
To settle this debate once and for all (it turned out to be a landslide victory), we took a poll of Rafn staff members and here are the definitive results:
- 100% Beard Orientation
- 0% Mullet Orientation