DPD staff handles the issuance and inspection of approximately 3,000 permits annually for side sewer construction, and provides coaching and side sewer information to customers in the DPD Applicant Services Center (location & hours), as well as by phone, email and over the Internet. Side sewer review and inspection is conducted by DPD’s Site Development Team.

The City of Seattle requires that a side sewer permit be issued before work begins on all side sewers, including new installations, alterations, repairs, capping, relocations, removals, and conditional and temporary dewatering work. The permit for this work will cover all proposed side sewer work located on-site and within the public right-of-way. Both service lines may be included on the same permit application.

Visit our Side Sewer Program website for detailed information on side sewer permit applications. Also, side sewer repair permits can be applied for online (process geared toward side sewer contractors; please see instructions).

Emergency work is allowed without getting a permit in advance, but a permit should be obtained from DPD the next City working day or online for side sewer repairs.

DPD maintains and updates the list of Registered Side Sewer Contractors (RSSC) for side sewer construction located in the public right-of-way. For single family residences, owners may perform the work occurring on their private property.