Street Use Permitting Timelines and Updates

Status Inquiries

On November 7, 2020, we'll be migrating to our new permitting platform Accela. In order to achieve a smooth transition, our teams will be taking part in extensive training in the new system throughout the remainder of September and October.

During this time, we'll still be processing permits, but we'll be operating at reduced capacity. Since our primary concern is processing permits in a timely fashion, we will be unable to respond to status inquiries during this time if the application is within the published issuance timeframe posted on our permit webpages. We appreciate your patience during this transition.

How to Estimate Permit Timelines for Street Use Permits

You can find more information on the following topics in the Understanding the Street Use Permit Process, Record Status, Target Dates, and Permit Timelines help article.

As of May 10, 2021, review times are currently:

For All Permit Types

Application timeline: 3 business days

ROWM Permit Timelines (including application time)

Initial Full review: 8-9 weeks
Single review: 3-4 weeks
Extensions: 5-10 business days

Street Improvement Permit Timelines (including application time)

Initial Full review: 7-9 weeks
Corrections review: approx. 6 weeks

Utility Major Permit Timelines (including application time)

Initial Full review: 8-10 weeks
Corrections review: 6-8 weeks

PSM Permit Timelines (including application time)

Initial Full review: 10-12 weeks
Simple review: 5-8 weeks

These are average timelines. Owing to an increase in permit applications combined with reduced capacity, our timelines are higher than normal. We are working diligently to reduce these timelines in advance of our transition to Accela in November.

NOTE: If a ROW Management Design Guidance meeting is required or correction cycles are necessary, additional time will be added to the timelines above.

What's happening?

On November 7, 2020, we're implementing major changes to Street Use permitting as Phase 2 of our migration to Accela goes live.

You can find out more about how these changes will affect you below.

What is Accela?

Accela is a software system currently used to maintain many city records, such as Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection (SDCI) permits, Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) and truck permits, and some license applications. Since we issue many different permits with varied requirements in Street Use, we have been moving to Accela in phases over the last two years. This is the final migration for our department.

The move to Accela means that you'll be able to apply online via the Seattle Services Portal for all permit types and you'll be able to check the status of your application, access related documents, and take advantage of a consolidated payment system for all applications. Additionally, you'll be able to schedule an inspection as well as check the status of an inspection through the Seattle Services Portal.

We're making the transition to Accela because it is more efficient and provides greater transparency for you.

What's coming with Phase 2?

Beginning November 9, 2020, you will be able to apply for a new application or access an existing application in the Seattle Services Portal for the following Street Use permit types:

Right-of-way Construction permits
Right-of-way Maintenance permits
Minor Utility permits
Heavy Crane permits
Street Improvement permits
Utility Major permits
Final Plat permits

If you have a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) permit or a Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections permit, you already have an Accela account, as these are issued through the Seattle Services Portal. Consequently, you will not need to create a new account as your information will already be in the system.

How to get help after launch

Previously Recorded External Training Workshops

You can access the recording and associated PowerPoint Presentation for the external workshops listed below in the Previous Workshop section of this webpage

Street Use Inspection Types and Notifications
Seattle Services Portal Overview
Utility Permits Overview
Construction Permits Overview
Street Use Permit Amendments External Workshop

Updates Webpages and Seattle Services Help Center

We have updated our website content to help support this launch. Updated website will be available the morning of November 9, 2020. You can find the following information on our permit webpages:

Direct link to the Seattle Services Portal (on the right panel of each webpage)
Permit thresholds
Required documents
What information needs to be on a document
Plan templates
Client Assistant Memos

We have also added many more help articles on the Permits – Street Use section of the Seattle Services Help Center. You can find helpful information on the following:

How to find my converted permit
How to pay fees
How to apply for a permit
How to respond to a Corrections cycle
How to request a change to a permit (aka amendment)
Record (aka permit) information
How to schedule a job start or other inspection

How to Find Your Converted Permits

As part of this migration, we are also automatically converting all open Street Use permits currently in Hansen. Converted permit numbers will reference the Hansen permit number for easy tracking using the formats as shown below:

ROW Construction (Construction Use): SUCONSTX12345
Minor Utility: SUUTILX12345
Utility Major: SUUMPX12345
Street Improvement: SUSIPX12345

In order for you to be able to see your converted permits, one of the contacts on the converted permit(s) will have to match the information associated with your Seattle Services Portal Account.

This can be difficult if you are not sure what contact information (email, phone number and individual or organization name) is on the Hansen contact or if you had multiple contacts in Hansen.

The first step in finding your converted permit(s) is to go to the Seattle Services Help Center and find our Help articles on how to find and search for converted permits in the Permits – Street Use section.

To link your converted contact to your Seattle Services Portal account, go to our How Do I Register for a Seattle Services Portal Account to See My Converted Street Use Permits Help article.

To search for a converted Street Use permit, go to our How Do I Search for my Converted Street Use Permit Help article.

If you are still unable to find your converted permit, please contact us at the contact information provided below. You can expect to receive a response within 1-2 business days.

Accela Support Phone Line: (206) 727-8640
Accela Support Email: dot_su_ssportal_questions@seattle.gov
If you are having account issues, please email SeattleServices_ITHelp@Seattle.gov.

Updated Fee Estimator and New Permitting Forms Page

With the updates to our use fees and the completion of our migration to Accela, we're pleased to share that we've created an updated fee estimator. This online tool will help you estimate the fees for your project. We've also created a one stop location for permitting forms like the Phase Schedule Manager, SIP general notes, and more!

NEW: Applicant Guides

As part of our effort to make it easier for you to find the information you need, we're in the process of converting Client Assistance Memos into new, online references called Applicant Guides. We'll be phasing out our existing CAMs in the coming months.

Upcoming Accela Q&A Sessions

We have planned several Q&A sessions after launch to help you get the answers you need regarding how Accela works and our business processes. Just like our external training workshops, these will be held using Webex Events. Information on when these sessions are how to attend can be found in the linked attachment below.

Get the Schedule