CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to street and sidewalk use; amending the Street Use Fee Schedule authorized by Section 15.04.074 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, Section 15.04.074 of the Seattle Municipal Code authorizes and directs the Director of Transportation to prepare and recommend to the City Council, for passage by ordinance, a schedule of fees applicable to all street and sidewalk use permits (“the Street Use Fee Schedule” or “fee schedule”) that may take into consideration the desirability or undesirability of the use or occupation relative to the rights of the public; and
WHEREAS, Street Use fees are intended to cover full costs of permit issuance, inspection, and plan review, and it is appropriate that those wishing to use public rights-of-way should bear the costs associated with obtaining appropriate street and sidewalk use permits; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 125185 authorizes the Director of Transportation to annually adjust fees administratively, and instead this annual adjustment is included in this ordinance for 2026 issuance, renewal, and hourly review and inspection service rates; and
WHEREAS, Street Use fees for any tree-related work have been adjusted to include hourly review and inspection for the Street Tree-Approval for Development Projects permit type, to adjust citation penalty fees for work without a street tree permit, and to update definitions for street tree permits; and
WHEREAS, the citywide fee waiver for street and sidewalk activities and vending authorized under Ordinance 126915 sunsets on January 1, 2026, and those fees are reintroduced with this fee schedule; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Use Fee Schedule, last amended by Ordinance 127135, is replaced by the SDOT Street Use Fee Schedule attached as Attachment A to this ordinance. Otherwise, authority to adjust rates and fees as authorized in Ordinances 125945 and 125185 remains in effect.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force on January 1, 2026.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this ____day of _______________, 2025.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A – Seattle Department of Transportation Street Use Fee Schedule