In the next couple of months, some existing charges will be shifted to your side sewer permit. These charges include core tap and drainage system development charges (SDCs).
Core Tap Charges:
Starting April 13, 2026, core taps into drainage and wastewater mains will be included on the side sewer permit invoice issued by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU).
Payment of core tap charges will be required prior to side sewer permit issuance. After payment is received, SPU will send the core tap information for your project to our Core Tap Planning and Scheduling team. Once they process the request, you will be able to schedule your core tap by calling (206) 615-0511.
Why is this changing:
- Timely billing: Your project will now be billed for core taps up front, rather than receiving the invoice later after the project is completed and you’ve moved on to a new project.
- Early plan review: Plans will be review earlier in the process to ensure proposed core taps meet requirements, which will reduce potential field issues and delays.
What is changing:
- You will need to pay your core tap invoice charge(s) prior to side sewer permit issuance.
- When you apply for a side sewer permit in the Seattle Services Portal:
- Adding a number to “How many new sewer connections to the main” will alert SPU that a core tap is required for your project.
- Indicating “Yes” to “Work will be Performed After Hours?” will incur additional charges on your invoice. This is core tap work that must occur on weekends or at night due to construction near King County Trolley Lines, bike lanes, or other site-specific work constraints.
- You will no longer need to email your side sewer site plan and permit documents to SPU_CORETAP_Scheduling@seattle.gov when scheduling your core tap. The Development Services Office (DSO) will send that information directly to the Core Tap Planning and Scheduling Team.
In some cases, due to field conditions, the initial invoiced amount could change so an additional invoice or refund may be issued to the invoice payee after the core tap work is completed. Examples include changing the scheduled core tap from regular hours to after hours, or changes to the core tap size. To apply for your side sewer permit, visit the Seattle Services Portal.
For more information, visit:
- Side Sewer Permits
- Core Tap Procedures for Storm and Sewer Mains
- Director’s Rule FIN-220.2 – Development Charges
Drainage System Development Charges:
As of January 1, 2026, SPU began charging drainage system development charges (SDCs). The drainage SDC is based on the new hard surface associated with development projects.
Starting May 4, 2026, payment of the drainage SDC will be required prior to side sewer permit issuance, rather than with your water service application invoice.
Why is this changing:
- Prevent Delayed Billing: Some projects may not require a new water service and will not receive a water service invoice but are still adding hard surface to their project requiring assessment of the drainage SDC. If this charge is not identified upfront, it may result in untimely billing during project reconciliation after the project is complete.
- SPU Internal Workflow: The side sewer permitting team who issue the side sewer permit invoice, are already reviewing the Drainage Control Plan where the new hard surface values are located. Having this team assess the drainage SDC increases efficiencies in the DSO’s workflow, resulting in more timely invoicing.
What is changing:
- Payment of the drainage SDC has been required with SPU’s water service invoice. The drainage SDC will now be on your side sewer permit invoice. You will need to pay the drainage SDC prior to side sewer permit issuance rather than with your water service application invoice.
For more information, visit:
- Director’s Rule FIN-219: Utility System Development Charges—Requirements and Methodology
- Director’s Rule FIN-220.2: Development Charges