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Street Use Home
Permits
Special Activities
Signal Control Box Artwork
Neighborhood Block Party Permits
Sidewalk Cafés
Annual Permits
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Shoring Review
Street Improvement Permit
Franchise and Utility Permits
Roadway Closure Barricade Requirements
Vending Permits
Truck Fees and Permits
Online Permitting
Inspections
Utility Coordination in City Streets
Client Assistance Memos and Forms
Fee Schedule/Permit List
Right-of-Way Improvements Manual
Right-of-Way Management Program Overview
Street Vacations
Street and Sidewalk Pavement Opening and Restoration Rules
Shoreline Street Ends
Grade Sheet Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Street Use

Street Use Permits

CITY OF SEATTLE STANDARD SPECIFICATION AND PLAN UPDATE

The newest version of the City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications (2011 Edition) is now available. As of June 1, 2011 all new applications for Street Improvement Permits will need to follow the 2011 City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications.

2011 Changes to Fees and Service Charges

Fee Schedule Changes

Street Use fees and service charges have increased , as of 2011.

Any fees or deposits, which were not paid in 2010, have been recalculated at the 2011 rates and can be paid either at the Street Use counter or through the online system.

 

Changes at the Street Use Counter

Effective February 1st, 2010

Street Use Permitting Counter will open at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays and will close at 5:00 p.m.

Counter Permit Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please note that permits will not be issued after 4:30 p.m.

Street Use has over 60 types of permits for use, occupation and/or construction in the rights-of-way.

Online permitting changes

Street Use has implemented the following changes to online permitting: As of 11/09/2010, applicants are no longer able to print permits online.

Permits will be emailed to the applicant, in PDF format, within 1 business day of issuance, along with any approved plans and documents.

 

If you need to apply for a permit, you can visit the Street Use office in person or use the online permitting system by clicking here. The Street Use Permit counter is located on the 23rd floor of Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Avenue. Please refer to the information provided above regarding business hours.  Note that permits will not be issued after 4:30 PM. The permit counter phone is (206) 684-5283. Following is a summary description of the most common types of permits:

SDOT does not allow construction work during winter holidays in streets or sidewalks located in the Downtown Retail Core and Pioneer Square. Read the Holiday Construction Moratorium Client Assistant Memo # 2107 for more information.

Note: New required form - If your proposed project includes construction of a permanent structure in the public right-of-way for your own personal or for private use, you will be required to sign an acknowledgement confirming that you understand that your permit application may not be approved. Use this link to review the form. Examples of this type of encroachment include, but are not limited to these types of projects: walls; decks/patios; rockeries and fences.

Encroachments in the Rights-of-Way
Annual/Renewable Street Use Permits are issued for long term use of the rights-of-way such as signs, retaining walls, structural overhangs and sidewalk cafes. These permits require an annual fee and in some cases liability insurance or public place indemnity agreements. Although these permits are issued for uses that may seem permanent they are considered temporary in nature and are revocable within 30 days. Click here for examples of annual/renewable permits.


Shoring and Excavation
Shoring and Excavation permits are issued for excavations in or near a public right-of-way that could by the nature of the excavation affect the integrity of the right of way or utilities in the right of way. Shoring is a means of supporting the earth in a trench or vertical cut for construction or other activity.

Street Use performs shoring review in partnership with DPD where the right of way will be affected by an excavation. DPD may initiate a shoring review during their review of a project. Street Use reviews any proposed excavation that would be greater than three feet deep immediately adjacent to any given public right-of-way.

Find out more about Shoring Review…

Street Improvements and Plan Review
Street improvement permits include the installation of major improvements such as street paving, curbs, sidewalks as a result of the development on private property such as a multifamily building. Included in the permit are utilities that would be necessary to serve the private property development. This type of permit can also be issued for communities that want to improve the facilities in their neighborhood. Whenever development occurs under the DPD Land Use Code there may be requirements for improvements in the right-of-way. These improvements must meet SDOT design criteria. The Street Use Street Improvement Permits (SIP) section will assist you with these requirements. SIP provides project management and facilitates approval for private projects from single family residences to large scale and city interdepartmental project for SDOT.

Find out more about Street Improvement permits…

Utilities
Utility permits are issued for the installation of underground and overhead utility mains and services in the public rights of way. They include power, communication, gas, steam, water, sewer, drainage, and privately owned facilities such as oil pipelines. Also included in the utility permit arena are permits issued to other governmental entities such as the Port of Seattle, King County and the State of Washington. The applicant must submit an application and plan detailing the proposed utility.

Find out more about Utility permits…

Use of Street and Sidewalks for Construction and Other Purposes
There are many circumstances that require use of the right-of-way to facilitate construction for public and private property. Street Use permits are issued for temporary use of the rights of way during construction such as material storage, scaffolding, crane placement or crossing curb and walk with heavy equipment. Other types include private uses of the right of way such as planting trees, block parties and other special events, or signs. These permits are considered temporary in nature and are revocable within 30 days. Refer to our related Client Assistance Memos for further information. Permits may also be granted for use of the streets for both metered and non-metered parking areas.

Driveways
Property owners are responsible for providing a temporary or permanent driveway so that vehicles do not drive over sidewalks, planting strips or curbs. The construction of driveways requires a Street Use Permit, issued by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD).

A temporary driveway is an asphalt driveway installed where there is no curb constructed. It requires a permit issued by Street Use and a field review by an inspector for approval.

Sidewalk Repairs
Property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their property. They must ensure that snow, ice and debris do not pose a hazard to pedestrians. They must also repair cracks and other damage. The property owner of record is notified by the district Street Use inspector of the repairs or action needed. If there is an unsafe condition and you want to repair the sidewalk, apply for a sidewalk permit.

There are no permit fees for sidewalk repair less than 100 square feet. 
For sidewalk repair 100 square feet or greater, the permit fee is $146
For sidewalk repair 750 sq. ft. or greater, a field review deposit of $344 is required.

Fees for inspection time will be deducted from the required deposit.
Less than 100 sq. ft. - $86 deposit
100 to 750 sq. ft. - $172 deposit
750 sq. ft. or greater – deposit will be assessed during field review

 


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