Permit Service Counters and Client Assistance Memos

Please Note:

Based on information provided by WSDOT, on January 11, 2019, State Route 99 through downtown Seattle will be closing for approximately three weeks to realign SR 99 into the new tunnel. During the closure, both the viaduct and the tunnel will be closed. Drivers should expect up to six weeks of region-wide congestion. 

To minimize transportation impacts, construction and curbspace vending will be restricted on critical streets from January 4 - February 15, 2019. Please see the Restrictions During Viaduct Closure map showing streets where right-of-way closures will not be permitted.

If work has been scheduled during the restriction period, we will contact you prior to the closure of the viaduct. Your permit may be revoked with at least 30 calendar days' notice, per SMC 15.04.070. Any revoked permits will be re-issued after the closure with no additional costs.

Please see our informational one-page document for more information. 

In Addition:

The City of Seattle is still experiencing a high volume of construction applications for both private and public projects. Traffic Control Plan (TCP) reviews have extended beyond typical timelines, which is directly impacting timelines for Right-of-Way (ROW) Management permits. This is a temporary impact, improving as more resources become available and processes are streamlined.

Right now, the below timelines can be expected. These timelines may vary based on the complexity of the project.

  • ROW Management permit intake and screening timeline: 4 business days
  • ROW Management permit timeline without TCP: 4 weeks
  • ROW Management permit timeline with TCP: 6-8 weeks
  • Traffic Control Plan (TCP) reviews: 3 weeks

We are here to meet your permitting needs through two permit service counters, both located in the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Ave in downtown Seattle. Please see below for information on the services offered at each counter, as well as directions and hours of operation. Then, visit the appropriate counter to submit your application or speak with a permit specialist about any questions or concerns you may have regarding the application process. Depending on the nature and complexity of your project, permit coaching services may also be available.

Permit Counters

Street Use Permit Counter

Hours of Operation:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 
    8 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday and Thursday 
    10:30 AM to 5 PM 

We do not accept payments after 4:30 PM. Applicants arriving after 4:30 PM may not receive a permit that day. 

Location:

700 5th Avenue, Floor 23  
Seattle Municipal Tower 
Seattle, WA 98124

Directions to the Seattle Municipal Tower may be found here. 

Types of Permits: 

Contact:

You may contact the Street Use permit service counter by calling 206-684-5253 or by emailing SDOTPermits@seattle.gov.

Traffic Permits Counter

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM 

Location:

700 5th Avenue, Floor 37  
Seattle Municipal Tower 
Seattle, WA 98124

Directions to the Seattle Municipal Tower may be found here. 

Types of Permits:

The Traffic and Parking permit counter issues the following types of permits:

  • Truck Permits (annual and short-term)
  • Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) 
  • Carpool 

You can apply for truck and carpool permits online here. You may also apply in person at our traffic permits service counter. 

Contact:

You may contact the traffic permits counter by calling 206-684-5086 or by emailing rpzinfo@seattle.gov for RPZ related questions and trafficpermitsinfo@seattle.gov for any truck-permit related question.

Client Assistance Memos

Client assistance memos (CAMs) are designed to provide accessible, easy-to-understand information on the processes and requirements associated with permitting and completing projects with the Seattle Department of Transportation. View all Client Assistance Memos in our SDOT Document Library.