Urbanism Glossary#
Plain-language definitions of terms you’ll hear at community meetings, in city council sessions, and in urbanist media. If you’ve ever nodded along while someone talked about “FAR” or “SEPA” and had no idea what they meant – this is for you.
Terms are grouped by topic. Each entry tries to explain not just what a term means but why it matters in Seattle.
How to use this glossary#
Browse by category below, or use the site search to find a specific term. Each term page includes:
- A plain-language definition
- Why it matters for Seattle specifically
- Related terms you might also want to know
Categories#
- Housing & Zoning – What’s an ADU? Why can’t apartments be built on my street? (ADU, FAR, MHA, upzoning, and more)
- Transportation – What does “level of service” mean? What are complete streets? (LOS, mode share, complete streets, and more)
- Land Use & Planning – What’s SEPA? How does the comprehensive plan affect my neighborhood? (SEPA, GMA, zoning, and more)
- Funding & Policy – How does the city pay for affordable housing? What are impact fees? (TIF, MFTE, impact fees, and more)
Don’t see a term? Email us to suggest one.