Documents, Definitions & Resources
Side Sewer Permit required documents
When you apply for a side sewer permit for new construction, depending on the scope of your project, you may be required to submit documents as part of the permit application process. Once you have created a side sewer permit application, you can request a review of your draft documents (prior to recording) upon request. Upload them to the Portal with your application.
The following documents are required to be recorded at the King County Recorder's Office:
Memorandum of Drainage Control (MDC)
This document is to notify property owners that the property includes onsite drainage control facilities that the owner is required to maintain, and also authorizes City personnel to enter the property to inspect those facilities. It is typically required for projects with more than 1500 square feet of new and replaced hard surface, or projects with more than 750 square feet of new and replaced hard surface with no offsite point of discharge for drainage. (SMC 22.807.020)
Side Sewer Easement Agreement
This document is required for projects where the side sewer is located on a property other than the property being served by the side sewer. It provides the owner the right to access the other property in order to repair or maintain the side sewer. Please use this template. We no longer accept custom documents prepared by the applicant. (SMC 21.16.250)
Side Sewer Joint Use and Maintenance Agreement
This document is required for projects where the side sewer will serve more than one building or dwelling unit on more than one property. It states that property owners share the responsibility for repairing and maintaining the portions of side sewers that are shared. Please use this template. (SMC 21.16.250)
Side Sewer Release and Indemnification Agreement
This document is required whenever the side sewer or construction will not meet standards of the code as authorized under SMC 21.16. Typical examples are when pipes are constructed at less than a two percent slope and when backflow preventer valves are constructed in a side sewer. (SMC 21.16.210, 21.16.240, 21.16.250, and 21.16.270)
The following documents may be required; however they do not need to be recorded at the King County Recorder's Office.
Certificate/Attestation of Mailing Notification
These documents are required when the number of buildings or dwelling units using an existing shared side sewer increases. They notify the owner of the shared side sewer that there is a construction project that is adding dwelling units to the side sewer. Notification shall be made 30 days prior to the permit application, and shall be by certified mail, return-receipt requested. (SMC 21.16.240C)
Side Sewer Evaluation and Certification Form
This document is required when an existing side sewer is being reused for a new or converted building or dwelling unit. See Section M of Director's Rule 2011-004. (SMC 21.16.240A)
Special Sewer Connection Charge Contract
Certain vacant properties are required to pay a special connection charge to connect to the City sewer system. (SMC 21.24.030)
Out of City Sewer Agreement
A property located outside the city limits may be allowed to connect to a Seattle City main if the non-city jurisdiction does not serve the property or the City's mains are more accessible than the local jurisdiction’s mains. The property owner must contact SPU to receive their approval prior to connecting. (SMC 21.20.020 and RCW 35.67.310)
Temporary Sewer Connection Agreement
Use this document when a side sewer permit for a temporary connection is needed. (SMC 21.16.110)
Side Sewer Permit definitions
- Applicant – The primary contact person, who may be the property owner, property owner’s agent, builder, or side sewer contractor. Anyone can apply for a side sewer permit. The applicant will receive all billing associated with the permit issuance and inspections.
- Financially Responsible Party – The individual or firm responsible for paying all fees associated with the side sewer permit. This is the same as the applicant.
- Owner – The individual or firm that owns the property for which the permit will be issued.
- Side Sewer – A privately owned and maintained pipe system designed to convey wastewater and/or drainage water to the public sewer system or approved outlet. This includes the pipe system up to, but not including, the tee, wye, or connection to the public main.
- Service Drain – A privately owned and maintained side sewer which conveys only stormwater runoff, surface water, subsurface drainage, and/or other unpolluted drainage water. Service drains include, but are not limited to, conveyance pipes, catch basin connections, downspout connections, detention pipes, and subsurface drainage connections (footing/ foundation drains) to an approved outlet.
- Temporary Dewatering – The temporary removal of groundwater from a project site. All temporary dewatering equipment and material must be removed prior to closing the Temporary Dewatering permit.
- Drainage Control Facility – Any facility, including best management practices, installed or constructed for the purpose of controlling the discharge rate, flow duration, quantity, and/or quality of drainage water.
- Onsite Stormwater Management Best Management Practices (OSM BMP) – A required drainage facility or feature associated with the development site that uses infiltration, dispersion, storage, or evapotranspiration to minimize stormwater runoff.
- Flow Control Facility – A drainage control facility for controlling the discharge rate, flow duration, or both of drainage water from a site.
- Water Quality Treatment Facility – A drainage control facility designed to remove pollutants from drainage water.
Side Sewer Permit Resources
- Seattle Services Portal
- SPU Water and Sewer Map
- Look up Side Sewer Cards
- Side Sewer Permit Inspections
- Seattle Side Sewer Code (SMC Chapter 21.16 - Side Sewers)
- SPU Director's Rule 2011-004, "Requirements for Design and Construction of Side Sewers (Drainage and Wastewater Discharges)"
- SPU Director's Rule 2011-005, "Side Sewer Code Enforcement"
- Core Tap Procedures for Storm and Sewer Mains
- SDOT Traffic Control Manual for In-Street Work
- SDOT Street & Sidewalk Right of Way Opening and Restoration Rule
- SPU Standard Specifications & Standard Plans for Road, Bridge & Municipal Construction
- King County Plumbing Permits