Seattle City Light Employee with Customer Photo

Before starting a new construction project or renovation that requires a new electric service connection or upgrade, review our Requirements and Standards resources and then complete our online Electric Service Application.

An electric service application is required for:

  • Existing service alteration or removal
  • Permanent service for any new construction
  • Temporary service for construction sites
  • Construction clearance
  • New streetlight service
  • Solar interconnection

Expect Delays for New Service Connections

Like many companies nationwide, Seattle City Light is experiencing impacts from supply chain and staffing constraints. A shortage of raw materials is reducing the availability of common construction materials and specialized electrical equipment. These factors, along with increased construction activity, are impacting our lead times and service connection timelines. Currently we are experiencing delays in receiving transformers and underground wire (approximately 18-24 months) and residential high-rise meters (approximately six months). Please note we are actively pursuing several improvements to work around these limitations and appreciate your patience as we continue to find better solutions.

Apply for New or Upgraded Electric Service

Early Design Guidance Pilot

Seattle City Light is introducing a new opportunity for customers to ask questions, understand the feasibility of their ideas, and gain insight into City Light’s process for new electric service connections, including technical considerations. Customers can request to set up an Early Design Guidance (EDG) meeting with City Light.

Multifamily Building Design Standard Changes

City Light has recently implemented a new internal design practice for electric service connections of developments with four or more units. These properties will now be required to be served by underground infrastructure.

Prior to starting your application, gather the required documentation to ensure a faster, more seamless experience.

What do I need before applying for electric service?

All applications require:

  • Project address
  • Property owner’s name, mailing address, phone number, and email
  • Customer name (if different from property owner), mailing address, phone number, and email
  • Electrician, developer, or contractor contact information
  • Service type (alteration or removal of existing service, temporary service for construction, new permanent service, construction clearance, or streetlight work)
  • Date service connection is needed

Most projects also require:

(click for document samples)

Find all applicable documents listed on the Customer Submittal Checklist. This document is for your use in preparing the necessary documents for your project. Click on the linked items above to review example building documents.

Contact us if you have any questions about application requirements for your project:

Review some of the most frequently asked questions related to applying for new or upgraded electric service for new construction and renovation projects.

What do I need to apply for electric service?

What if I don't know or can't find my Electric Permit Number?

You will need to refer to the appropriate city's website to obtain an electric permit from them.

You can submit your application without the permit number but in order to approve your electrical equipment for permanent connection, we will require the Electric Permit number and approval by your local municipality.

Where can I find information about City Light's electrical system within the right-of-way?

Please visit our interactive map to locate City Light's electrical infrastructure within the public right-of-way.

Seattle City Light Electrical System Map

How do I apply for solar installation service?

How long will it take to process my application?

After submitting the application, please allow 4 - 6 weeks for initial processing. If the application is incomplete, it may take longer. A City Light representative will contact you within 5 - 10 business days after the application has been processed. Details about your electric service installation will be available at that time.

If I have questions about the application, who do I contact?

You can call our intake desk at (206) 233-APPS (206) 233-2777 to get assistance filling out the application, or visit the following service center locations:

North Service Center
300 N 97th St
Seattle, WA 98103

South Service Center
3613 4th Ave S #2207
Seattle, WA 98134

If I have questions about requirements for my project, who do I contact?

Don't see an answer to your question about the electric service application?

If your question is urgent, contact the intake desk at (206) 233-2777.

Next step?

After Submitting Your Application

After submitting your application, we encourage you to immediately proceed with the following steps. Doing so will keep the process moving and avoid delays.

Determine if a pre-construction meeting is needed.

Contact your City Light representative to determine if a pre-construction meeting is needed. The purpose of this meeting is to confirm your new service will meet current City Light Standards and Requirements.

If you don’t know who your representative is, refer to the following:

It is highly encouraged to meet with your City Light representative onsite prior to start of construction.

Obtain a permit and inspection from the Local Jurisdictional Authority (LJA)

The permitting authority will perform a service inspection and sign off on your equipment to ensure it is safe to energize. This is different than the City Light service inspection, which takes place after passing the LJA inspection.

Complete the City Light inspection process:

There are two required inspections for electric service work, one from the local jurisdictional authority (LJA) and one from City Light.

  • Contact your ESR or ESE after your project passes the service inspection by the local jurisdictional authority.
  • This will prompt your City Light representative to perform the final inspection. City Light cannot perform any work until the LJA service inspection has passed first.

To avoid delays, make sure all services are built in compliance with City Light Requirements and Standards.

Refer to the chart on pages 7 - 8 of the Standards for Electric Service to determine which standards apply to your project type.

Learn more about payment and completion of service connection in Step 5.

Submitting payment for new or upgraded electric service:

City Light requires payment for services prior to completing the service connection. This cost may or may not be included by your contractor.

Payments may be submitted via mail or in person at one of our service centers:

North Service Center
1300 N. 97th Street
Seattle, WA 98103

South Service Center
3613 4th Ave S. #2207
Seattle, WA 98134

Service Center hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Payment drop boxes are also available.

If payment is not received within a timely manner, the amount may be billed to your normal City Light billing account.

Completion of service connections

After all previous steps have been completed, your City Light representative is able to release work orders to crews. Service connections cannot happen prior to completing these steps.

To view the estimated connection timelines, refer to the Requirements for Electric Service Connection (Connection Timelines, section 1.3).

Please note the following:

  • The listed timelines are estimated turnaround times. Actual service connection timelines may vary due to factors, such as crew availability, outage response, supply chain constraints, etc.
  • Any corrections that need to be made prior to passing inspection may delay the service connection process.

Ready to start your application?

Prior to starting your application, gather the required documentation to ensure a faster, more seamless experience.

Start Your Application Now

City Light

Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34023, Seattle, WA, 98124-4023
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SCL_ExternalComms@seattle.gov

Seattle City Light was created by the citizens of Seattle in 1902 to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible electric power to the City of Seattle and neighboring suburbs.