SDOT Street Use Franchise and Utility Permits

Street Restoration
About the Franchise and Utility Permit Section
Utility Records
Utility Permit Publications

Refer to our frequently asked questions for more information on utility permits.

CITY OF SEATTLE STANDARD SPECIFICATION AND PLAN UPDATE The newest version of the City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications (2011 Edition) is now available. As of June 1, 2011 all new applications for Street Improvement Permits will need to follow the 2011 City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications.

Street Restoration
More than 4,000 openings are made in Seattle's streets every year, for example to connect or repair water, sewer, gas or other underground utilities. A Street Use permit is required prior to working in the right-of-way. The permit requires that the right-of-way be restored in accordance with City of Standard Plans and Specifications, and in accordance with the Pavement Opening and Restoration Rule. The permit-holder is responsible for the performance of the pavement restoration for the life of the pavement.

Most permittees prefer to have Seattle Department of Transportation restore the pavement for them. SDOT workers restore thousands of street openings every year, on a reimbursable basis, for public and private customers. When SDOT restores the street, then the permittee is no longer liable for future defects in the pavement. The rates that SDOT charges for this work are set by City Ordinance. The current rate sheet is available on-line. These rates can be used to estimate the total cost of restoration. Accurately measuring the size of pavement to be restored is necessary for proper cost estimate. Refer to the Pavement Opening & Restoration Rule to figure out the size of pavement that must be restored. For help, you can also contact the Street Use inspector assigned to the project.

NOTE: GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 2011-2012 UTILITY CUT RESTORATION FEE SCHEDULE

Due to some technical errors in the rate sheets that the City Council adopted on 11-22-10, SMD has issued the following guidelines to be followed when applying and/or implementing the fee schedule:

Standard Rates, Non Standard Rates and Explanatory Notes:

• Rates for Standard Repairs shall be in whole dollars, rounded either up or down to the nearest whole dollar.
• SMD will adhere to the following clarifying language on Page 2 Attachment 1A and Page 5 Attachment A:Explanatory Notes should read—
• A $132.00 additional charge per occurrence will be added when extra traffic control signing is required on principal and minor arterials and in the Central Business District. Reference the City of Seattle Traffic Control Manual for In-Street Work, August 1, 1994.
• If the asphalt depth is greater than 3 inches, the rate charge per square foot will be the over 3” to 6”, or over 6” to 9” asphalt depth rates. If the asphalt depth is greater than 9 inches, the additional asphalt depth per square foot rate will be charged to the customer or will be charged time and materials.

For equity of services provided, minimum rates for non-standard repairs will be billed under the equivalent service code on the standard fee schedule

About the Franchise and Utility Permit Section

The Franchise and Utility Permit Section issues permits to individuals or corporations or associations to construct, maintain and operate railroad or streetcar tracks, pipes, ducts, utility tunnels, vaults, maintenance holes, poles, fixtures, wires or any other appurtenants on, under or over the streets, alleys or public places of the City of Seattle. These installations include in part: gas mains and services; electrical manholes and conduits; telecommunication manholes and conduits; steam mains and services; water mains and services; utility poles; underground fuel storage tanks; and aerial CATV and telecommunications cables.

The applicant must submit an application and plan detailing the proposed utility to the Franchise and Utility Permit Section. The application and plan will be reviewed and any corrections noted before a permit will be issued.



Utility Permit Publications

Utility Permit Application

Impact of Utility Cuts on Performance of Seattle Streets (PDF format): Final Report (including Appendix A, Literature Review) | Appendix C, Utility Cut Surveys | Appendix D, Deflection Test Data, Part One | Appendix D, Deflection Test Data, Part Two | Appendix D, Deflection Test Data, Part Three

Standards for Plans for Street Use Utility Permits

Standards for Above Ground Cabinets – Director Rule SDOT 2-2009