Changes are coming to the Street Use division of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)! On June 10, 2019, SDOT is making updates to the way they issue permits and calculate fees for Street Use. Since many SDCI permit-holders also require Street Use permits, we want to make sure that you’re familiar with the changes and what you can expect when they take place in early June.
What’s happening with Street Use permits?
On June 10, 2019, Street Use is launching the first phase of their transition from Hansen – the previous permitting system – to Accela. Since Street Use issues many different permits with varied requirements, they will be moving to Accela in phases over the next two years.
Who is affected by this first phase of Accela for Street Use?
With the first phase of Accela, you will be able to apply for all public space permits (this includes vending, block parties, and other private, long-term uses), permits for gardening in planting strips, and permits for storage containers in the right-of-way using the Seattle Services Portal.
As an SDCI customer, you’ll already be used to working in the Seattle Services Portal and will be able to use your existing account when applying for Street Use permits.
What’s happening with Street Use fees?
At the same time that Street Use begins to transition to Accela, they are changing the way they calculate Street Use fees. This is the third phase of an overall fee update strategy approved by the Seattle City Council.
Among the changes to use fees for construction permits, Street Use is revising the way they assess the duration of a permit. Currently, the duration is calculated in 10-day increments. In order to simplify the fee structure, the new method assesses the duration on a per-day basis. Consequently, the ability to reset the escalation of use fees for projects will be eliminated; escalation rates, however, are not changing. Not only does this encourage shorter duration projects, it also means you’re only paying for the time you need.
Another new element of how Street Use calculates fees is location. Under the new method, they will consider the location of a project or activity when determining fees to better account for the impact on the public use of the right-of-way. Projects in Urban Centers and Villages, for example, are more disruptive to mobility than those in other areas.
How do I stay informed?
Street Use has a new webpage – Accela Phase 1 and Fee Updates – with more information about these changes to the Street Use permit process and fee updates.
If you have any questions, please email SDOTPermits@seattle.gov.