Street furnishings, public art and other pedestrian and bicycle amenities are important elements that can create a comfortable, safe and attractive public realm. Examples of street furnishings include benches, litter and recycling receptacles, bike racks, multiple publication newsstands, water fountains, pedestrian scaled lighting and planters. Public art includes art instillations that have a functional component and art that is purely aesthetic. Some types of street furnishings such as automated pay toilets, public kiosks and other atypical amenities are referred to as ‘Unique Objects’ because they require special location and design considerations.

The intent of this section is to promote consistency, predictability, safety and design excellence in the type and location of public realm amenities located in the right-of-way. Get more information on street furniture.

To ensure user comfort and safety the arrangement of elements in the sidewalk corridor should include a landscape/furniture zone, a pedestrian zone and a frontage zone.

Frontage, Pedestrian and Street Furniture/Zones (photo courtesy of Shelley Poticha)

Accessibility consideration: Pedestrians with vision impairments can detect objects mounted on walls or posts if they are installed so that the leading edge is less than 27 inches above the sidewalk. Items mounted above this height should not project more than 4 inches into any circulation route. Particular care should be taken to locate temporary signage so that it does not impede pedestrian travel.

Locating public art in the right-of way: The Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs is responsible for public art in the right-of-way. Like other types of street furnishings, public art should be located outside the Pedestrian Zone unless it is integrated into the walking surface. For more information, please review the Director’s Rule on how Visual Artworks are reviewed.

Public Art—Unique Objects in the Right-of-Way

Locating unique objects in the right-of-way: objects in the right-of-way include privately funded public art, commemorative plaques, memorials, automated pay toilets, bus shelters, special furnishings, wayfinding signage and community bulletin boards. SDOT staff will evaluate applications and serve as the first point of contact for proponents with advice from the Seattle Design Commission. SDOT will also serve as the coordinating agency between the Design Commission, Arts Commission, Seattle Parks Department Historical Preservation section, and other appropriate review authorities. Refer to additional information on project review at the end of this section.

Any street furniture, public art or other unique objects in the right-of-way require an annual street use permit.

Special pavement: Used appropriately special pavement, including tile, brick and finish treatments such as exposed aggregate, can increase the quality of the pedestrian environment. Design considerations include ensuring that pavement is durable, slip resistant, and free of trip hazards. A further design consideration is the ease of accommodating future pavement cuts and restorations.

Street trees: Street trees and landscaping are a highly desirable part of the pedestrian environment and an important complement to street furnishings. Typically street trees are located in the Planter Furniture zone. For more information on street tree integration refer to Section 4-14 Street Trees and Landscape Architectural Guidelines. Note: the use of above grade planters is encouraged only where below grade conditions or other constraints right-of-way tree pits.

Examples of Public Art Seating

Louis Longi, 1999

Jorg Dubin, 2000

Sidewalk cafes: A sidewalk cafe is an open-air seating area on a public sidewalk used by restaurant patrons while consuming food or beverages provided by an adjoining restaurant. Sidewalk cafes can provide vitality and interest to the sidewalk environment and are encouraged where they can be accommodated. A sidewalk cafe permit is initiated through the Department of Planning and Development and involves the serving of food. Refer to design and approval of sidewalk cafes.

A table and chairs permit is issued in SDOT's Street Use Division and allows a maximum of four tables with two chairs per table per permit. The tables and chairs are open to anyone to sit and use the amenity. There is no food service allowed, but patrons may take their food outside to eat. Refer to table and chair permits.

Maintenance agreements: The City of Seattle will require a maintenance agreement for the artwork and may also require insurance and a hold harmless agreement, depending on the artwork and the site location. Get more information on maintenance agreements.