If you are planning a demolition project, you need to coordinate with all utilities providing service to the property. All utilities must be shut off before you start any actual demolition. Shutting off the utilities before demolition helps prevent accident and injury to you, your contractors, or the inspectors. This is particularly important for natural gas, because demolition before a service is capped could lead to a natural gas leak or an explosion.
Contact the Utilities:
You need to coordinate with any private utilities and with:
- Seattle Public Utilities, (206) 684-3000
- Seattle City Light, (206) 684-3000
- Seattle Dept. of Transportation, (206) 684-5283
- Puget Sound Energy, 1-888-321-7779
Call Before You Dig:
Calling before you dig ensures that any publicly owned underground lines will be marked, so that you can dig around them safely. Having the utility lines marked not only prevents accidental damage to the lines, but prevents property damage and personal injuries that could result in a breaking line. Also, it’s the law and it’s free! Please visit callbeforeyoudig.org or call 1-800-424-5555 (or 811) for additional information.
You can find more information about demolition rules in Tip 337, Demolition and Deconstruction, or on the demolition permit webpage.