Street Use Inspections

I want to...

• know what Street Use Inspectors do and don't do
• find my inspector and how to contact them
• learn how to schedule a job start or another inspection
• discover what the different inspection types are
• understand how Street Use enforcement works

What We Don't Do

Here are some important contact details for items that people often ask about, but that are not included in the usual Street Use inspections.

• Encampments – If you need to report an encampment or request site cleanup
• Dumping/graffiti – If you need to report illegal dumping or request graffiti removal in the public right-of-way
• Temporary No Parking Permits and Signs - If you need to reserve a non-paid parking space, need information about temporary no-parking signs, you can find this information on the Temporary No Parking Permits webpage.
• Learn more about one of our department's projects - You can find a list of our current projects here.
• Report a problem in the right-of-way - Submit a report online using the Find It Fix It App!
• Get information about inspections fees - You will be charged for inspections based on the time spent at the project site. The cost is calculated by the hour, and you can find the current rate on the Street Use permit fee schedule.

What We Do

Street Use Inspectors:

• Make sure that any work being done in the right-of-way follows the rules of the permits that were given.
• Look for any work being done without a permit and either stop the work or help the person get the right permit.

Street Use Inspectors have an important job in Seattle. Our inspectors make sure that everyone follows the rules for working in public spaces like sidewalks and streets. They check if construction projects and other activities have the right permits and are following safety and accessibility rules. We bill for their time, and the cost is based on how many hours they spend on the job.

Inspectors visit job sites to make sure everything is going well, that constructions standards and plans are being followed, and to answer questions from people who walk, bike, or drive nearby. For some simple projects, like moving containers and dumpsters, we visit only if there's a problem. But for more complicated projects, we have a schedule to visit regularly and make sure everything is fine. You can find out more about scheduling inspections on Scheduling Your Job Start and Other Inspections.

Our Inspection teams include:

• Right-of-Way Management (ROW) Inspectors: They inspect general construction, utility, and maintenance activities on streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public areas
• Street Improvement Permit (SIP) Inspectors: They inspect curb ramps and permits for street improvements made by private parties.
• Public Space Management (PSM) Inspectors: They inspect permits for long-term use and street vending activities.

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Street Use Inspection District Map and Contacts

If you need help right away, you can use the map above. It has filters that help you find the ROW, SIP, and PSM Inspectors for your area. You can also find contact information for the Lead, Supervisor, and any Assistant staff who are currently working there.

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Scheduling Your Job Start and Other Inspections

Before you start your project, you must let us know when you will begin by scheduling a job start notification in the Seattle Services Portal. Make sure to review your approved plans and read all the permit conditions carefully.

To schedule a job start notification, follow the instructions in this Help article.

When you schedule the job start, it will also reschedule the first inspection. You can change the job start date in the Seattle Services Portal as long as it's at least 2 business days from today.

If the job start is:

• Not scheduled: The Initial Inspection will automatically be scheduled for 5 business days after the use start date that was given.
• Closed in the Seattle Services Portal: You need to inform the assigned inspector about the start date by providing a notification.

After the first inspection is done:

Depending on the kind of permit you have, you might be able to schedule some more inspections using the Seattle Services Portal. Look at the Inspection Types and Details section below for a complete description and more information.

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Inspection Types and Details

• Initial Inspection: This inspection happens right at the beginning of the project. It checks if traffic control and stormwater management practices are set up correctly and ensures the project follows the permit rules.
  • It is automatically scheduled for 5 business days after the project starts.
  • Public Space Management permits: Inspections are done to make sure private encroachments are installed as permitted. They also check if vendors, farmer's markets, and street closures are following the approved plans and rules.
• Interim Inspections: These inspections happen during the project to ensure everything is still following the permit rules. The frequency of these inspections depends on the project's location and possible impacts on transportation and the surrounding areas:
  • Arterials, high-impact areas, or urban villages are inspected every 10 days.
  • Low-impact areas are inspected every 20 days.
  • Interim Amendment: This inspection is done after a change is made to the permit's scope, and it reviews the field conditions and construction impacts.
• Site/Ad Hoc Inspections: These inspections are scheduled based on the specific work being done:
  • Curb Ramp Inspection*: It checks if new curb ramps meet ADA requirements.
  • Mark Out Inspection*: It establishes the layout for restoration dimensions.
  • Restoration Inspection*: It ensures that the restoration work meets City standards and codes.
  • Site Inspection*: You can request an inspection before your next scheduled one.
  • *To schedule a Curb Ramp, Mark Out, Restoration, or Site Inspection, follow the instructions in this Help article.
• Pre-Construction: These meetings are held before complex major permit work starts (SIP/UMP). If you need to schedule a pre-construction meeting, SDOT asset inspection, or utility inspection:
  • For major permits (SIP), contact your assigned Street Use reviewer or SIP Project Manager to schedule a pre-construction meeting.
  • For utility major permits (UMP), contact your assigned UMP reviewer. Email your Street Use Inspector 10 business days before site mobilization. If your permit is issued less than 10 business days before mobilization, contact your assigned Inspector as soon as possible.
  • For other pre-construction, SDOT asset, and utility inspection needs, contact your Street Use Inspector by email.
• Off-Hours: If you need to schedule an inspection outside of regular business hours:
  • Work done outside of normal working hours (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday) is considered "off-hours work." You must give a minimum of 3 business days' advance notice by emailing DOT_StUse_OffHours_Inspection@seattle.gov.
  • Your request should include the permit/record number, address/location, hours and dates of work, description of work, and confirmation of Hub coordination approval if applicable.
  • Only include one permit request per email, unless all the permits are for the same address and overlapping space.
  • Note: Certain holidays are subject to off-hours request and inspection fees. These holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous People's Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Day.
• Reinspection: the Inspector schedules this to check the site conditions and ensure that corrections are made to comply with permit conditions or enforcement actions.
• Final Inspection: This inspection is done to make sure the street and sidewalk are clear and that all repairs have been properly done. It is automatically scheduled for the day after the current permit expires.
• Bond Release Inspections (if applicable): These inspections confirm that all requirements have been met for bond release on bonded projects. They are scheduled 1 year after the completion of the final inspection.
• Acceptance Inspection (if applicable): This inspection checks the warranty and integrity of the infrastructure on qualifying permits. It ensures that the restoration is functioning well and without defects. It is scheduled 54 months (to be completed within 5 years) after the Final Inspection. There is no cost for the warranty inspection, but if any warranty failures are observed, the permittee is responsible for repairs.

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Street Use Enforcement Process

We collaborate with permit holders to make sure they follow the rules of their permits. We provide guidance and education to help them understand the requirements. If necessary, we also enforce the rules by applying penalties when needed.

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