Hydrants Permit
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) must approve and issue a hydrant permit before you can temporarily use a hydrant for a project site or to fill a tanker truck. Temporary use of hydrants is only authorized when there is no other source of water for the project site.
Before you can use a hydrant, you must:
- Meet all backflow protection requirements before you can use any hydrant water.
- Always keep the following documents on hand when using a hydrant:
- Hydrant permits
- Passing backflow assembly test reports
- Satisfactory tanker fill inspection reports (if applicable)
There are two types of hydrant permits:
- Filling tanker trucks
- Direct connections to a hydrant
The permit option you select will determine the permit requirements. For more information, refer to WTR-460.1 - Use of Hydrants by Others (Directors Rule).
How do I get a hydrant permit?
Complete a hydrant permit application (docx). When completed, please email the application to spu_dso@seattle.gov or contact (206) 684-3333 for other submittal options.
Once you submit your application, we will perform a review. If approved, we will issue an invoice based on the estimated costs below.
Estimated costs
If using an SPU-issued hydrant meter assembly or more than 10 CCFs a day
- Hydrant use permit: $215
- Hydrant meter assembly rental $305
If not using an SPU-issued hydrant meter assembly and less than 10 CCFs a day
- Hydrant use permit: $215
- Sept 16 – May 15: $52.70 per day
- May 16 – Sept 15: $66.90 per day
For more information on charges, refer to FIN-220.1 - Customer Charges (Director's Rule).
Permit length
Your hydrant permit is effective until the expiration date on the permit.
We issue permits for no more than 6 months. Using hydrants after the permit expires is illegal and subject to a fine.
We may cancel your hydrant permit if you don't follow hydrant requirements. You must pay for any damages caused by non-compliance, such as:
- Hydrant repair
- Hydrant replacement
- Backflow response efforts
- Consumption on meter or daily rate