Seattle.gov - Seattle Right-of-Way Improvement Manual

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1	Purpose and Need
1.2	Authority
1.3	Organization
1.4	Relationship to Other Standards and Guidelines
1.5	Departmental Roles and Responsibilities
1.6	Contact Information

Chapter 2: Procedures, Permitting Process and Approvals for Street Right-of-Way Improvements

2.1

Navigating the City of Seattle Permit Process

2.1.1	Applying for a Master Use Permit (MUP)
2.1.2	Applying for a DPD Construction Permit
	2.1.2a Initiation of Public Street Improvements
2.1.3	Applying for a Street Right-of-Way Improvement Permit
2.1.4	Applying for Other Street Right-of-Way Permits

2.2

Street Right-of-Way Improvement Permit Classification:
Small, Medium and Large Projects

2.2.1

Cost of City Services

2.3

Street Improvement Permit Process Information Packet

2.4

SDOT Street Right-of-Way Improvement Permits

2.4.1	Street Improvement Permits
2.4.2	Shoring and Excavation Permits
2.4.3	Driveway and Curb Cut Permits
	2.4.3a Building and Alley Grade Sheets
2.4.4	SDOT Reviews and Approvals for Street Trees and Landscaping
	2.4.4a Street Tree Permit
	2.4.4b Street Tree Removal or Pruning Permit
	2.4.4c Beautification Permit
2.4.5	Seattle Parks and Recreation Department (SPR) Reviews and Approvals
	2.4.5a Non-Park Uses of SPR Lands
	2.4.5b Revocable Use Permits
	2.4.5c Design Intent for SPR Boulevards and Trails
	2.4.5d SPR Tree Policy and Permits
	2.4.5e SPR Department Standards
2.4.6	Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Reviews and Approvals
	2.4.6a Department of Planning and Development Tree Protection Regulations
2.4.7	Permits, Procedures and Approvals for Utilities in the Street Right-of-Way
	2.4.7a Grading and Drainage in Seattle
	2.4.7b Drainage Requirements Form (DRF)
	2.4.7c Side Sewer Permitting
	2.4.7d Temporary Construction Dewatering and Stormwater Management
	2.4.7e Water Services, Hydrants and Other Water System Appurtenances
	2.4.7f City Light Permit Processes for New Street Lights
	2.4.7g City Light Permit Processes for Pole and Wireless Attachments
	2.4.7h Privately Owned Utilities

2.5

Other Street Right-of-Way Improvement Activities

2.5.1	Street and Alley Vacation Process
2.5.2	Shoreline Street Ends Unimproved Right-of-Way
2.5.3	Traffic Control Signs in the Right-of-Way

2.6

Deviation Request Process for Street Right-of-Way Improvements

2.6.1	What is a Deviation Request?
2.6.2	Deviation Request Submittal Process

2.7

Master Use Permits (MUPs)

2.7.1	Street Improvement Requirements
2.7.2	SEPA Environmental Review
	2.7.2a Environmental Review as Part of the Permit Process
	2.7.2b Filling Out the Environmental Checklist
	2.7.2c Transportation Impact Analysis and Parking Demand Studies
	2.7.2d Hazardous Materials Analysis
2.7.3	Design Review Requirements and Procedures
2.7.4	Shoreline Substantial Development Permits
2.7.5	Dedication of Street Right-of-Way or Easement
2.7.6	No-Protest Agreement for Future Improvements

2.8

Construction Permits

2.8.1	SDOT Review of Construction Permit Applications
2.8.2	Grading Activity

2.9

Environmental Permits and Approvals

2.9.1	City of Seattle Environmental Permits/Approvals
	2.9.1a Environmentally Critical Areas
	2.9.1b Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control
	2.9.1c Construction Stormwater Control Technical Requirements Manual (DR 16-2000)
	2.9.1d Landmarks Certificate of Approval
2.9.2	King County Permits and Approvals
2.9.3	State and Federal Permits and Approvals
2.9.4	Other Permits and Special Issues

2.10

Public Notification

2.11

Contact Information

Chapter 3: Street Right-of-Way Improvement Requirements

3.1

Overview of Requirements from the Land Use Code (Ch. 23.53 & 23.22)

Existing Streets

	Width Requirements: Arterials
	Width Requirements: Non Arterials
	Is Your Project on an Arterial?
	Improvement Requirements: By Zone
	Improvement Requirements: Find Your Zone with DPD GIS

New Streets

	Width Requirements: Arterials
	Width Requirements: Non Arterials
	Street Improvement Requirements: Arterials
	Street Improvement Requirements: Non Arterials

Alleys

	Existing Alleys: Required for Access
	Existing Alleys: Not Required for Access
	New Alleys: Width Requirements
	New Alleys: Improvement Requirements

Vehicle Access Easements Across Private Property

3.2

Overview Diagram

3.3

Contact Information

Chapter 4: Design Criteria

4.1

Introduction

4.1.1	Citywide Policy Guidelines for Street Right-of-Way Improvements
	4.1.1a City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan
	4.1.1b Transportation Strategic Plan
	4.1.1c Comprehensive Drainage Plan
4.1.2	City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications
4.1.3	Washington State Minimum Design Standards
4.1.4	Deviation Process
	4.1.4a Exceptions from Washington State Minimum Standards
4.1.5	Resource Documents

4.2

Street Classifications and Street Types

4.2.1	Street Types
	4.2.1a Regional Connector Streets
	4.2.1b Commercial Connector Streets
	4.2.1c Local Connector Streets
	4.2.1d Main Streets
	4.2.1e Mixed Use Streets
	4.2.1f Industrial Access Streets
	4.2.1g Green Streets
	4.2.1h Neighborhood Green Streets

4.3

Design Criteria General Notes

4.4

Grading

4.4.1	Definition
4.4.2	Design Criteria
4.4.3	Design Considerations

4.5

Design Cross Section

4.5.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.5.2	Design Criteria
4.5.3	Design Considerations

4.6

Roadway Width

4.6.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.6.2	Design Criteria
4.6.3	Design Considerations

4.7

Roadway Pavement

4.7.1	Standard Plan and Specification References
4.7.2	Design Criteria
4.7.3	Design Considerations

4.8

Intersections

4.8.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.8.2	Design Criteria
4.8.3	Design Considerations

4.9

Driveways

4.9.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.9.2	Design Criteria
4.9.3	Design Considerations

4.10

Curbs

4.10.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.10.2	Design Criteria

4.11

Sidewalks

4.11.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.11.2	Design Criteria
4.11.3	Design Considerations

4.12

Crosswalks

4.12.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.12.2	Design Criteria
4.12.3	Design Considerations

4.13

Bicycle Facilities

4.13.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.13.2	Design Criteria
4.13.3	Design Considerations

4.14

Street Trees and Landscape Architectural Standards

4.14.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.14.2	Design Criteria
4.14.3	Design Considerations

4.15

Introduction to Utilities Design Criteria

4.15.1

Design Criteria

4.16

Street Lighting

4.16.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.16.2	Design Criteria
4.16.3	Design Considerations

4.17

Street Drainage, Storm Drains and Sewers

4.17.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.17.2	Design Criteria
4.17.3	Design Considerations

4.18

New Water Mains

4.18.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.18.2	Design Criteria
4.18.3	Design Considerations

4.19

Fire Protection

4.19.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.19.2	Design Criteria
4.19.3	Design Considerations

4.20

Clearances

4.20.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.20.2	Design Criteria
4.20.3	Design Considerations

4.21

Structures in the Street Right-of-Way

4.21.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.21.2	Design Criteria

4.22

Turn Arounds and Cul-de-Sacs

4.22.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.22.2	Design Criteria
4.22.3	Design Considerations

4.23

Traffic Operations

4.24

Transit Zones

4.24.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.24.2	Design Criteria

4.25

Street Furniture, Public Art and Unique Objects in the Street Right-of-Way

4.25.1	Links to Standard Plans and Specifications
4.25.2	Design Criteria
4.25.3	Design Considerations

4.26

Contact Information

Chapter 5: Construction and Maintenance

5.1

Introduction

5.2

Traffic Control Plans

5.3

Coordination Activities

5.4

Pre-Construction Activities

5.5

Inspections

5.5.1	Demolition and Grading During Construction
5.5.2	Shoring, Excavation and Safety Systems During Construction and Inspection
5.5.3	Protection of Trees and Other Vegetation During Construction
5.5.4	Acceptance/Warranty Procedures and Record Drawings

5.6

Maintenance Agreements

5.7

Street and Sidewalk Pavement Opening Restoration Rules

5.8

Temporary Erosion Control, Sediment Control and Spill Control
(Best Management Practices)

5.9

Creating a Safe, Accessible Work Site

5.9.1	City of Seattle Standard Plans and Specifications
5.9.2	King County/Metro Transit Clearances

5.10

Contact Information

Chapter 6: Streetscape Design Guidelines

6.1

Street Design Concept Plans

6.1.1	Overview
6.1.2	Proposal Must Meet City Street Design Standards
6.1.3	Implementation is Voluntary
6.1.4	Templates for Street Design Concept Plan Submittals
	6.1.4a Context
	6.1.4b Dimensioned Street Section of Proposal
	6.1.4c Detailed evaluation of Traffic Operations
	6.1.4d Dimensioned, Plan View Sketch of Proposal
	6.1.4e Other Considerations or Unique Features Proposed
6.1.5	Approval Process
	6.1.5a Proposal of Preliminary Concept Plan
	6.1.5b Pre-Application Conference
	6.1.5c Develop Concept Plan
	6.1.5d City Review of Concept Plan
	6.1.5e Proponent Revises Concept Plan as Requested by City
	6.1.5f Approval by DPD/SDOT Joint Director’s Rule
6.1.6	Summary of Approval Conditions
6.1.7	Key SDOT Considerations in Review of Street Design Concept Plans
	6.1.7a Use of Materials
	6.1.7b Minimum Sidewalk Width, Areas Free of Obstructions
	6.1.7c Curbside Management
6.1.8	List of Approved Street Design Concept Plans

6.2

Green Streets

6.2.1	Background
6.2.2	Green Street Types
6.2.3	Green Street Locations
6.2.4	Basic Design Principles
6.2.5	Designating New Green Street and Neighborhood Green Streets
	6.2.5a Criteria for Designating New Green Streets
	6.2.5b Criteria for Designating New Neighborhood Green Streets
6.2.6	Green Street Design, Permit and Construction Process
	6.2.6a Initial Contact
	6.2.6b Prepare a Street Design Concept Plan
	6.2.6c Existing Street Design Concept Plan Review
	6.2.6d Permit Review and Issuance
	6.2.6e Green Street and Neighborhood Green Street Construction
	6.2.6f Maintenance

6.3

Station Area Plans

6.3.1	Overview
6.3.2	Light Rail Station Area Plans
6.3.3	Monorail Station Area Plans

6.4

Natural Drainage Systems

6.4.1	Chapter Purpose
6.4.2	Definition of Natural Drainage Systems
6.4.3	Benefits of Natural Drainage Systems in Creek Watersheds
6.4.4	Where Do Natural Drainage Systems Work Best?
6.4.5	Design Guidance
	6.4.5a Principles
	6.4.5b Natural Drainage System Options
6.4.6	Approval and Permit Procedures
6.4.7	Maintenance Responsibilities
	6.4.7a Soil and Plantings
	6.4.7b Maintenance for All Permeable Pavements

6.5

Traffic Calming

6.5.1	Overview
6.5.2	Policy Guidance for SDOT's Neighborhood Traffic Control Program (NTCP)
6.5.3	Neighborhood Traffic Control Program Goals
6.5.4	Considerations for Traffic Calming on All Streets
6.5.5	Additional Considerations for Traffic Calming on Arterial Streets
6.5.6	Typical Traffic Calming Devices in Seattle
6.5.7	Process for Installing Traffic Calming
6.5.8	Point Criteria for Traffic Calming Project Ranking
6.5.9	Trials and Temporary Installations for Traffic Calming
6.5.10	Landscaping for Traffic Calming Devices

6.6

Contact Information

Detailed Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction Rev. 5/9/2011

Chapter 2: Procedures, Permitting Process and Approvals for Right-of-Way Improvements

Chapter 3: Right-of-Way Improvement Requirements Rev. 5/9/2011

Chapter 4: Design Criteria

Chapter 5: Construction and Maintenance Rev. 5/16/2011

Chapter 6: Streetscape Design Guidelines

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