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Table of Contents
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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Purpose and Need
1.2 Authority
1.3 Organization
1.4 Relationship to Other Standards and Guidelines
1.5 Departmental Roles and Responsibilities
1.6 Contact Information
Chapter 2: Procedures, Permitting Process and Approvals for Street Right-of-Way Improvements
2.1

Navigating the City of Seattle Permit Process
 
2.1.1 Overview of DPD Permitting
2.1.2 Preliminary Assessment of Private Development
2.1.3 Right-of-Way Improvement Requirements
2.2 Street Right-of-Way Permits
2.3 Street Improvement Permit Process Information Packet
 
2.3.1

Coaching
2.3.2

Applications Requirements
2.3.3

 Design Guidance
2.3.4

Survey and Base Map Requirements
2.3.5

Formal Review
2.3.6

Correction Cycles
2.3.7

 Plan Approval
2.3.8 Construction
2.4 Other Street Use  Construction Permits – Groups 1 and 2
 
2.4.1 Driveway and Curb Cut Permits
2.4.2 Grade and Rock Permits
2.4.3 Paving Permits
2.4.4 Sidewalk and Sidewalk Repair Permits
2.4.5 Private Encroachments in the Right-of-Way
2.5 Right-of-Way Use Permits
2.6 Shoring and Excavation Permits
2.7

Utility Permits
 
2.7.1 Side Sewer
2.7.2 Water Services, Hydrants and other Water System Appurtenances
2.8 Non-Construction Permits
2.9 Street Trees and Landscaping Permits
 
2.9.1 Street Tree Permits
2.9.2 Street Tree Removal or Pruning Permits
2.9.3 Beautification Permits
2.9.4 Green Factor in the Right-of-Way Permits
2.10 Other Street Right-of-Way Improvement Activities
 

2.10.1 Seattle Parks and Recreation Dept Reviews and Approvals

2.10.2 Non park Uses for Parks and Recreation Department Lands

2.10.3 Revocable Use Permits

2.10.4 Design Intent for Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Boulevard and Trails

2.10.5 Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Tree Policy and Permits

2.10.6 Seattle Parks and Recreation Department Standards

 2.10.7 Department of Planning and Development Tree Policy and Permits

2.10.8 Street and Alley Vacation Process

2.10.9 Dedication of Street Rights-Of-Way or Easement

2.10.10 Shoreline Street Ends and Unimproved ROW

2.10.11 Coordination Activities

2.10.12 Landmark’s Certificate of Approval
2.11

Deviation Request Process for Street Right-of-Way
  2.11.1 Deviation Request Submittal Process
2.12

Environmental Review and Approvals
 

2.12.1 – City of Seattle Environmental Permits/Approvals

2.12.2 – Environmental Review as a part of the Permit Process

2.12.3 – Filling out the Environmental Checklist

2.12.4 – Transportation Impact Analysis

2.12.5 – Hazardous Materials Analysis
2.13 King County Permits and Approvals
2.14 State and Federal Permits and Approvals
2.15 Contact Information
Chapter 3: Street Right-of-Way Improvement Requirements
3.1 Overview of Requirements from the Land Use Code
3.2 Requirements for Streets, Alleys and Easements
3.3 Contact Information
Chapter 4: Design Criteria
4.1 Introduction
 

4.1.1 – Citywide  Policy Guidance for Right-of-Way Improvements

4.1.1a – City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan

4.1.1b – Transportation Strategic Plan

4.1.1c – Comprehensive Drainage Plan

4.1.2 – City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications

4.1.3 – Washington State Minimum Design Standards

4.1.3a – Exceptions from Washington State Minimum Design Standards
4.2

Street Classifications and Street Types
 

4.2.1 – Street Types

4.2.1a – Regional Connector Streets

4.2.1b – Commercial Connector Streets

4.2.1c – Local Connector Streets

4.2.1d – Main Streets

4.2.1e – Mixed Use Streets

4.2.1f – Industrial Access Streets

4.2.1g – Green Streets

4.2.1h – Neighborhood Green Streets
4.3 Design Criteria General Notes
4.4 Grading
4.5

Design Cross Section
 
4.5.1 Links to Standard Plan and Specifications
4.5.2 Design Criteria
4.5.3 Design Considerations
4.6 Roadway Width
 
4.6.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.6.2 Design Criteria
4.6.3 Design Considerations
4.7 Roadway Pavement
 
4.7.1 Links to Standard Plan and Specifications
4.7.2 Design Criteria
4.8 Intersections
 
4.8.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.8.2 Design Criteria
4.8.3 Design Considerations
4.9 Driveways
 
4.9.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.9.2 Design Criteria
4.9.3 Design Considerations
4.10 Curbs
 
4.10.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.10.2 Design Criteria
4.11 Sidewalks
 
4.11.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.11.2 Design Criteria
4.11.3 Design Considerations
4.12 Crosswalks
 
4.12.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.12.2 Design Criteria
4.12.3 Design Considerations
4.13 Bicycle Facilities
 
4.13.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.13.2 Design Criteria
4.13.3 Design Considerations
4.14 Street Trees and Landscape Architectural Standards
 
4.14.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.14.2 Design Criteria
4.14.3 Design Considerations
4.15 Introduction to Utilities Design Criteria
 
4.15.1 Links to Standard Plan and Specifications
4.15.2 Design Criteria
4.16 Street Lighting
 
4.16.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.16.2 Design Criteria
4.16.3 Design Considerations
4.17 Street Drainage
 

4.17.1 – Links to Standard Plan and Specifications and other Resources

4.17.2 – Stormwater Code Compliance

4.17.3 – Stormwater Collection

4.17.4 -Drainage and Sewer Conveyance

4.17.5 – Side Sewers

4.17.6 – Additional Information
4.18 New Water Mains
 
4.18.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.18.2 Design Criteria
4.18.3 Design Considerations
4.19 Fire Protection
 
4.19.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.19.2 Design Criteria
4.19.3 Design Considerations
4.20 Seattle City Light
4.21 Clearances
 
4.21.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.21.2 Design Criteria
4.21.3 Design Considerations
4.22 Structures in the Street Right-of-Way
 
4.22.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.22.2 Design Criteria
4.23 Turn Arounds and Cul-de-Sacs
 
4.23.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.23.2 Design Criteria
4.23.3 Design Considerations
4.24 Traffic Operations
4.25 Transit Zones
 
4.25.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.25.2 Design Criteria
4.26 Street Furniture, Public Art and Unique Objects in the Street Right-of-Way
 
4.26.1 Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.26.2 Design Criteria
4.26.3 Design Considerations
4.27 Access Easements
4.28 Contact Information
Chapter 5: Construction and Maintenance
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Pre-Construction Activities
5.3 Construction Inspection and Testing Procedures
5.4 Creating an Accessible and Safe Work Site
5.5 Traffic Control Requirements for In-Street Work
5.6 Locating Underground Utilities
5.7 Protection of Survey Monuments
5.8 Construction Stormwater Control
5.9 Demolition and Grading During Construction
5.10 Hazardous Materials Containment
5.11 Excavation, Shoring and Safety Systems During Construction
5.12 Street and Sidewalk Pavement Opening and Restoration Rule
5.13 Acceptance /Warranty Procedures for Improvement Projects
5.14 Record Drawings
5.15 Annual Permits and Maintenance Responsibilities
5.16 Contact Information
Chapter 6: Streetscape Design Guidelines
6.1 Street Design Concept Plans
 
6.1.1 Overview
6.1.2 Proposal Must Meet City Street Design Standards
6.1.3 Implementation is Voluntary
6.1.4 Templates for Street Design Concept Plan Submittals
   6.1.4a Context
   6.1.4b Dimensioned Street Section of Proposal
   6.1.4c Detailed evaluation of Traffic Operations
  6.1.4d Dimensioned, Plan View Sketch of Proposal
   6.1.4e Other Considerations or Unique Features Proposed
6.1.5 Approval Process
   6.1.5a Proposal of Preliminary Concept Plan
   6.1.5b Pre-Application Conference
   6.1.5c Develop Concept Plan
   6.1.5d City Review of Concept Plan
   6.1.5e Proponent Revises Concept Plan as Requested by City
   6.1.5f Approval by DPD/SDOT Joint Director’s Rule
6.1.6 Summary of Approval Conditions
6.1.7 Key SDOT Considerations in Review of Street Design Concept Plans
  6.1.7a Use of Materials
   6.1.7b Minimum Sidewalk Width, Areas Free of Obstructions
  6.1.7c Curbside Management
6.1.8 List of Approved Street Design Concept Plans
6.2 Green Streets
 
6.2.1 Background
6.2.2 Green Street Types
6.2.3 Green Street Locations
6.2.4 Basic Design Principles
6.2.5 Designating New Green Street and Neighborhood Green Streets
   6.2.5a Criteria for Designating New Green Streets
   6.2.5b Criteria for Designating New Neighborhood Green Streets
6.2.6 Green Street Design, Permit and Construction Process
   6.2.6a Initial Contact
   6.2.6b Prepare a Street Design Concept Plan
   6.2.6c Existing Street Design Concept Plan Review
   6.2.6d Permit Review and Issuance
   6.2.6e Green Street and Neighborhood Green Street Construction
   6.2.6f Maintenance
6.3 Neighborhood Based Plans
 
6.3.1 Neighborhood Plans Updates
6.3.2 Subarea Plans
6.4 Green Stormwater Infrastructure
 
6.4.1 Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in the Right-of-Way
6.4.2 Bioretention Design Guidance
6.4.3 Permeable Pavement Design Guidance
6.4.4 Compost Amended Soils Design Guidance
6.4.5 Approval and Permit Procedures
6.4.6 Maintenance Responsibilities
  Figures for ROWIM 6.4
6.5 Traffic Calming
 
6.5.1 Overview
6.5.2 Policy Guidance for SDOT's Neighborhood Traffic Control Program (NTCP)
6.5.3 Neighborhood Traffic Control Program Goals
6.5.4 Considerations for Traffic Calming on All Streets
6.5.5 Additional Considerations for Traffic Calming on Arterial Streets
6.5.6 Typical Traffic Calming Devices in Seattle
6.5.7 Process for Installing Traffic Calming
6.5.8 Point Criteria for Traffic Calming Project Ranking
6.5.9 Trials and Temporary Installations for Traffic Calming
6.5.10 Landscaping for Traffic Calming Devices
6.6 Contact Information
Latest Online Manual
Detailed Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction  Rev. 5/9/2011
Chapter 2: Procedures, Permitting Process and Approvals for Right-of-Way Improvements Rev. 7/30/2012
Chapter 3: Right-of-Way Improvement Requirements  Rev. 5/9/2011
Chapter 4: Design Criteria Rev. 7/30/2012
Chapter 5: Construction and Maintenance  Rev. 5/16/2011
Chapter 6: Streetscape Design Guidelines Rev. 8/1/2012
 
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