The City of Seattle’s side sewer review and inspection program officially became part of DCLU on February 3, 2003. As part of this program, a Director’s Rule is currently under public review that will help incorporate changes mandated by the Clean Water Act. This rule, called “Requirements for Design and Construction of Side Sewers” (DR 1-2003), will also update side sewer design and construction procedures that have become standard practice but are not formulated in a City code.

Some of the clarifications DR 1-2003 makes reflect the contents of draft documents that both the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Seattle Engineering Department had previously created but not issued as an “official” document.

Explanations have been added for items like the size of the service drain lines servicing the roof based upon roof area, use of crushed rock backfill material for flexible pipe, inspection requirements of emergency repair, minimum catch basin sizes, and use of infiltration trenches vs. infiltration pits. The rule also clarifies connection of service drains to side sewers and collection of surface drainage using minimum sized catch basins. DR 1-2003 is expected to become effective August 1, 2003.

How the Side Sewer Program Works at DCLU
Side sewer review and inspection is being conducted by DCLU’s Site Development Team. Staff has been expanded to handle the issuance and inspection of approximately 2,500 permits annually for side sewer construction and to provide coaching and side sewer information to customers in the DCLU Applicant Services Center, as well as by phone, email, and internet.

Due to changes made to the side sewer program the permit holder is now responsible for:

• preparing as-built plans
• preparing agreements, such as easements (however, DCLU will process agreement recording with the King County Recorder’s Office)
• connecting side sewers to adjoining private side sewer systems
• coordinating work with other agencies, such as SDOT for street backfill and surface restoration and SPU for core tap scheduling.

Side sewer permit fees will remain the same, and applicants will be able to pay by cash, check, credit card, or through an Advance Deposit Account (ADA) arranged with DCLU staff. The ADA will provide an opportunity not previously available to regular contractors. Once established, the account will allow sewer contractor agents to pull a permit and draw the fees directly from the account.

SDOT will continue to maintain and update the list of Registered Side Sewer Contractors (RSSC) for both side sewer and larger construction projects in the public right-of-way. For single family residences, owners may perform the work occurring on their private property.

Applying for a Side Sewer Permit
No appointment is required to apply for a side sewer permit and for most permits no plan review is required. Application forms and instructions are available from the side sewer website or from the DCLU Applicant Services Center (ASC), located on the 20th floor of Key Tower at 700 Fifth Avenue.

NEW! You can now apply online for a side sewer repair permit. This permit process is geared towards side sewer contractors. Online permits are issued by email, generally within 24 hours, and include a copy of your permit and map template (which will be used for your as-built submittal). See instructions (215KB PDF).

Online Side Sewer Cards & Maps NEW!
Side sewer cards, lateral maps, and aerial photographs are now available on DCLU’s GIS website. For additional information regarding the location of existing side sewers on private property, contact the DCLU Drainage & Sewer Review Desk, (206) 684-5362, sidesewerinfo@seattle.gov.