How to Apply

Apply for a Permit


Please complete the online application for a side sewer permit at the Seattle Services Portal. Step by step instructions on how to apply are provided below.  

Contact SideSewerInfo@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5362 with questions.

Is this permit part of a larger project? Managing multiple permits

If the side sewer work is associated with a construction, grading, or demolition permit, you must provide the approved permit number with the side sewer permit application. Enter the permit number into the description of work and/or enter the permit number in the appropriate section of the side sewer permit application.

Associated permits must be entered first: we cannot process a side sewer permit application until the associated construction, grading, or demolition permit has been issued.

See your approved Drainage and Wastewater Control Plan or engineered civil plans. The description of work must match the information on the approved construction plans. Changing an approved drainage or sanitary point of discharge requires a revision to the issued construction permit. 

For new construction, with few exceptions, we will issue one side sewer permit to cover all of the drainage and sanitary side sewer work both on the property and in the right of way, including stormwater management facilities.  For example, you cannot submit one permit application for the sanitary sewers and a separate one for the stormwater facilities.

How to Apply: Step-by-step instructions

As of October 1, 2025, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is now issuing side sewer permits instead of the Department of Construction and Inspections.

The application process has changed. 

  1. Go to the Seattle Services Portal
  2. Under Create New, select Public Utilities – Development Services. Then select Side Sewer Permit SPU
    Screenshot of step 2.
  3. Select Side Sewer Permit SPU from the list.
    Screenshot of step 3.
  4. Fill in your address information and click Search
    Be sure the address is located within the City of Seattle.  The Portal will not accept address outside of City limits. If your project address is outside of the City but connects to an SPU main, contact SideSewerInfo@seattle.gov

    If you are presented with an Address Search Result List, choose the correct address by clicking the bubble next to the address. An Associated Parcels List will appear and should already have a bubble selected for you. If not already selected for you, please pick the top bubble. 

    Please note that the Development Site Parcel Number and Legal Description for the address you've selected will automatically appear. You do not need to do anything with these, leave them as they appear.
  5. Click Select and then Continue
    Screenshot of step 5.
  6. If there is no Address Search Result List, Select Continue
  7. In the Detailed Information section, enter an Application Name to help you identify your project
    Screenshot of step 7.
  8. In the Detailed Description: section, please enter the description of work; please be specific and detailed.  Some example descriptions are included below. If necessary, we will revise the project scope.

    Repair Permit Description Examples:

    • “Sanitary sewer spot repair.”
    • “Pipe lining on private property, pipe lining to the main in the right-of- way.”
    • “Replacing 6 feet of pipe next to house.”

    Addition/Alteration Description Examples:

    • “Adding new catch basin to existing drainage system.”
    • “Rerouting existing sanitary side sewer due to new addition.”

    New Construction Description Examples:

    • “Four new townhomes. New storm connection to storm main.  New sanitary connection to existing side sewer. Per plan (enter -CN number).”
    • “New commercial building. New storm connection and new sanitary connection to existing side sewer to combined main. Per plan (enter -CN number)”
    • “New single family residence. New storm connection to curb weep hole. New sanitary connection to sanitary main. Per plan (enter -CN number)”


    For new construction, be sure the description matches the approved construction plans.

  9. In the Project Information section, fill out the following:

    1. In the Where on your property are you working? section, indicate the site-specific work activity location if it would be helpful for the Side Sewer Inspectors. Otherwise, you can leave this blank.
    2. Check whether there will be work in the right-of-way (this means work that is outside of the property line, such as excavation or equipment staging). Check No if the only work in the right of way will be pipe lining.
    3. Select the Primary Property Use from the Drop-Down Menu
  10. In the Side Sewer Information section, fill out the following:

    1. Select No for Temporary Dewatering for Construction.  The only time you will select Yes is if this is a stand-alone Side Sewer Permit for Temporary Dewatering.  This applies to groundwater dewatering only, typically for large projects.
    2. Check whether there will be Pipe Lining on Private Property and/or Pipe Lining in the Right-of-Way.
    3. Select No for Side Sewer Conflict.  If you select Yes, a text box will open for you to make comments.  You may enter comments if you wish.
    4. If all work is to be on private property (including equipment staging) then select No for all. If you select Yes for any of the following, then a separate SDOT Permit will be required.
      • Will there be any curb crossing or staging?
      • Will there be any excavation in the right of way?
      • Curb and Sidewalk Restoration?
      • Will there be any roadway restoration?
  11. Enter the following information in the Sanitary Side Sewer Information section.

    If you are unsure about any fields, you may leave it blank as long as it is not required (red asterisk). We will complete it for you when we process the application based on the issued construction permit. We will contact you if we need more information.

    For New Construction permits

    1. What type of sanitary system work is being done: use the drop-down menu and select New
    2. How many Sewer Lines being capped: indicate how many pipes will be permanently capped, or enter zero if there are none
    3. How many new sewer connections to the main: only enter the number of new connections to the main from the property
    4. How many new connections to the side sewer: only enter the number of existing sanitary connections to the main that you are going to reuse
    5. How many new, replaced, or repaired sewer pumps: enter the number of sanitary pumps onsite that are new, replaced, or repaired
    6. How many new dwelling units are included in the project: enter the number of new dwelling units that are associated with the project. 

      For example, if you demolished a single-family residence and replaced it with four townhomes, you would enter "4" as the number of dwelling units. If you removed a single-family residence and replaced it with a new single-family residence, you would enter "1" as the number of dwelling units, etc.
    7. Will the existing side sewer system be used: check yes only if the existing side sewer is to be reused.

    For Sanitary Repair or Addition/Alteration permits

    1. What type of sanitary system work is being done: Select either Repair or Addition/Alteration 
    2. Leave all the other fields in this section blank unless they also apply to the scope of work such as a new pump, sewer capping, etc.

    For Sanitary Capping Only permits


    Capping Only
    permits are stand-alone permits typically associated with an issued Demolition Permit.  Do not apply for a capping only permit until the associated demolition permit has been issued

    1. What type of sanitary system work is being done: select Capping Only
    2. How many Sewer Lines being capped: Enter the number of permanent caps
    3. Leave all other entries blank
  12. In the Drainage Information section fill out the following:


    If you are unsure about any fields, you may leave it blank as long as it is not required (red asterisk). We will complete it for you when we process the application based on the issued construction permit. We will contact you if we need more information.

    For New Construction permits

    1. What type of drainage work is being done: select New
    2. How many Service Drain Lines are being capped: indicate how many lines will be permanently capped, or enter zero if there are none
    3. How many new drainage connections to the main: only enter the number of new connections to the main from the property
    4. How many other new drainage connections: Examples of other new drainage connections include discharging to a curb weep hole, ditch or culvert system, or onsite infiltration
    5. How many new, replaced, or repaired drainage pumps: enter the number of drainage pumps onsite that are new, replaced, or repaired, or enter zero if there are none
    6. What flow control type is being used: if applicable to your project, select the type of flow control facility listed on your approved plans
    7. What flow control standard is being used:  if applicable to your project, select the flow control standard listed on your approved plans
    8. What type of treatment standard is being used: if applicable to your project, select the water quality treatment type listed on your approved plans
    9. What basic plus type is being used: if applicable to your project, select the water quality treatment type listed on your approved plans that is required in addition to basic treatment
    10. What is the Discharge Point: select the approved point of discharge listed on your approved plans
    11. If you selected “Other” as the discharge point, please describe: leave this blank as it is normally not used
    12. What is the total area being disturbed: enter the total disturbed area that is listed on your approved  plans
    13. What is the total area of new hard surface: enter the total amount of new hard surface listed on your approved plans
    14. What is the total area of new and replaced hard surface: enter the total amount of new and replaced hard surface listed on your approved plans
    15. What is the total area volume managed by onsite stormwater management facilities: enter the total volume of managed on-site stormwater listed on your approved plans
    16. What is the total area requiring soil amendment: enter the total area requiring soil amendment listed on your approved plans

    For Drainage Repair or Addition/Alteration permits


    Repair permits are for repairing an existing side sewer, including lining or adding a cleanout. Addition/Alteration permits are for modifying an existing side sewer (for example: tying in new roof downspouts to an existing side sewer)

    1. What type of drainage work is being done: Select either Repair or Addition/Alteration 
    2. Leave all the other fields in this section blank unless they also apply to the scope of work, such as an added or repaired pump, line capped, etc.

    For Drainage Capping Only permits


    Capping Only
    permits are stand-alone permits typically associated with an issued Demolition Permit where a side sewer is to be permanently capped.  Do not apply for a capping only permit until the associated demolition permit has been issued.

    1. Enter the Number of Service Sewer Lines Capped
    2. Select Capping Only as the Drainage Type of Work.
    3. Leave all other entries blank
  13. Answer the Side Sewer Street Use Information questions
    1. Indicate whether you want us to generate an SDOT permit application for you; only click Yes if you do not have an existing SDOT minor utility permit related to your project. Checking Yes only generates the application
    2. If you have an existing SDOT minor utility permit, enter that information in the Do you have an existing SDOT permit related to your side sewer work box
    3. Enter the Estimated Start Date for the work in the right-of-way
    4. Enter the Estimated Duration of the work in the right-of-way

    See more information on SDOT side sewer permits. Contact SDOT with any questions about the application.

  14. Click Continue
    You will see a red error message at the top of the page if you have not completed a required entry.
  15. Enter the Applicant Contact information; click Select Myself or Someone Else.  The person you select for Applicant will be the person or organization where all communications will be sent.  Anyone can be the applicant, e.g. the site contractor, builder, or owner. Select Someone Else if the person already has a Portal account.  Select Person or organization not listed?  Add them here if you wish to add someone who is not already in the system.
  16. Enter the Financially Responsible Party following the same steps as above.
  17. Enter the Owner and Contractor following the same steps as above.  These fields are not required.  Only the Applicant and Financially Responsibly Party are required. 
    Side sewer permits are not transferrable.  The permit applicant "owns" the permit.  It cannot be transferred if the original applicant is no longer involved with the project.  If that happens, a new side sewer permit will be required to finish the work.
  18. Click Continue
  19. In the Attachment section, enter Select to upload any required related and/or recorded documents such as the Memorandum of Drainage Control, Side Sewer Easement agreement, Side Sewer Joint Use and Maintenance Agreement, Side Sewer Release and Indemnification Agreement, Certificate of Attestation, etc.  See Side Sewer Required Documents in the Documents, Definitions & Resources page for more information about required documents.
  20. Contact SideSewerInfo@seattle.gov or (206) 684-5362 with questions about required documents including which need to be recorded. We will review draft documents prior to recording upon request if you upload them to the Portal as described below.  Documents are required to be recorded at the King County Recorder's Office prior to issuing the side sewer permit. 
    Contact the King County Recorder's Office with questions about how to record documents. 
  21. Click Upload Documents
  22. Click Select to find your files on your computer.
  23. Select your file or files and select Done
  24. Select the document Type from the list of Types in the drop down menu
  25. Add a Description of the document.
  26. Repeat steps 22 to 25 for each required document
  27. When you have finished uploading documents, select Save, and you will see a message that the attachments have been uploaded successfully
  28. Now you will be directed to Review the information you have entered.  Click Edit if you need to make changes.
  29. Select Continue
  30. You will now get a Thank You, we have received your request message.  This means your application has been added to the queue for processing.  Applications are reviewed in the order received.  Note the Record Number that is assigned to your project.  This is your side sewer permit number.

How to respond to a request for additional information 

You may receive an email notifying you that  we have questions or need additional information to process your application. The  email will explain what information we need. Do not reply to this email: we cannot receive replies at that address. Upload the missing information to your application. Send questions to SideSewerInfo@seattle.gov.

You must complete this process all the way through to the screen that states "We received your information," so that your response will be added to the queue for processing.

You can only upload documents under the Make Changes function.

The following procedure is for side sewer permits that have NOT been issued. If the permit has been issued, follow the process here.

  1. Go to the Seattle Services Portal
  2. Click on My Records
    Screenshot of step 2.
    Use the filters to refine your search and narrow your results if needed.  You may need to use the next page or page number tool at the bottom of the page to locate your record.
  3. Select the Side Sewer Permit you'd like to make a change to and click on Make Changes. This will take you to the SPU Upload Documents page.  Uploading documents is the only change you can make to the permit application when the status is Additional Information Required.
    Screenshot of step 3
  4. Under Who is the Applicant? select the applicant for the record and select Continue
  5. Under Attachments pick Select to open the File Upload page.  Pick Select again and select the documents you wish to upload.   You are not able to make any other changes to the permit other than uploading documents when the status is Additional Information Required.
    Screenshot of step 5.
  6. Select Continue.
  7. Select the appropriate document Type and add a Description.  Select Save and then Continue.
    Screenshot of step 7.
  8. Select Continue one more time at the Summary Page
  9. You'll know we have received your information when you see the Thank You page. Your application will be reviewed in the order it is received.  The primary record number does not change.  The –001 reflects that documents have been uploaded under the parent permit number.
    Screenshot of step 9.

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.