Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About SDOT Side Sewer Permits
This article provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Side Sewer/Drainage permits and their relationship with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Side Sewer permits.
List of FAQs
- When is an SDOT Side Sewer permit required?
- When can I apply for an SDOT Side Sewer application?
- How do I apply for an SDOT Side Sewer permit?
- How do I request an SDOT Side Sewer application from my SPU Side Sewer application?
- What happens after I request an SDOT Side Sewer application from my SPU Side Sewer application?
- When will SDOT reach out to the Applicant if they chose to trigger an application from their SPU permit application?
- How long does it take to get an SDOT permit associated with side sewer work in the right-of-way?
- What is the SDOT inspection scheduling process?
Frequently Asked Questions
When is an SDOT Side Sewer permit required?
An SDOT Side Sewer permit is required when construction staging, excavation, or restoration will happen in the public right-of-way related to the below work:
- Side sewer installation, lining, repair, or replacement
- Drainage line installation or replacement
- Curb weep hole installation or replacement
SDOT Side Sewer permits are administered by the Street Use division. This type of work is permitted under the Minor Utility record type and Side Sewer/Drainage use type.
When can I apply for an SDOT Side Sewer application?
The SDOT Side Sewer application is required when side sewer and/or drainage line work will happen in the right-of-way. The SDOT Side Sewer application can be applied for at any time before applying for the SPU Side Sewer permit OR requested during the SPU Side Sewer permit application.
If the work in the right-of-way requires a Traffic Control Plan review or is in a Hub area, consider applying for the SDOT Side Sewer application in advance of applying for the SPU Side Sewer permit application.
How do I apply for an SDOT Side Sewer permit?
To apply for an SDOT Side Sewer application, refer to How Do I Apply for a Street Use Side Sewer Permit help article. You may also request an SDOT application when you submit your SPU Side Sewer application, as explained in the next section.
How do I request an SDOT Side Sewer application from my SPU Side Sewer application?
To apply for a SPU Side Sewer application, refer to How To Apply for an SDCI Stand-Alone Side Sewer Permit help article, but in step 2, select Public Utilities - Development Services. Steps are similar.
To request an SDOT Side Sewer application be created, follow the below steps in the Side Sewer Street Use Information section on the SPU Side Sewer application:
- Click Yes to the question: Do you want us to create an SDOT permit application for you.
- If you already have an SDOT permit for the work:
- Populate the Do you have an existing SDOT permit related to your side sewer work field with the permit number.
- Click No to the above question: Do you want us to create an SDOT permit application for you.
- Enter the approximate start date of the work in the right-of-way in the What is the estimated start date of work in the ROW field.
- Enter the approximate duration of the work in the right-of-way in the What is the estimated duration of work in the ROW field.
What happens after I request an SDOT Side Sewer application from my SPU Side Sewer application?
After the SPU Side Sewer application is issued, the SDOT Side Sewer application is created. The following information is copied from the SPU Side Sewer application to the SDOT Side Sewer application:
- Address copies as Address.
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Contacts:
- Applicant copies as the Applicant.
- Financially Responsible Party (FRP) copies as the FRP.
- Owner, if listed, copies as the Owner.
- Contractor, if listed, copies as the Onsite Contact.
- The Detailed Description copies to the Project and Location Description.
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General Information copies the following information:
- The Application Name copies to the Customer Reference field.
- The Contractor, if listed on the SPU application copies to the 24-HR Contact.
- The Owner, if listed, copies to the Restoration Party.
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Utility Information copies as shown below:
SPU SDOT New Install New Addition/Alteration Replace Relocate Repair Maintenance Temporary Install New Capping Abandon/Cut & Cap Utility Information Mapping between SPU and SDOT Side Sewer Applications - Utility Work Type copies as Yes for Sewer and Storm, depending on what was indicated on the SPU Side Sewer application.
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Documents:
- SDCI Site Plan, if uploaded, copies over as the SDCI Site Plan.
- As-Built Template, if uploaded, copies over as the Right-of-Way Impact Plan (ROWIP).
You will know when the SDOT Side Sewer application is automatically created because:
- The Applicant and FRP contacts both receive an email from SDOT.
- The record appears in My Records in Initiated status, just like any other newly submitted application.
- The record starts with SUUTIL.
- The Use Type on the record is Side Sewer/Drainage.
When will SDOT reach out to the Applicant if they chose to trigger an application from their SPU permit application?
Once the SDOT application is created, SDOT reviews the application for completeness and routes the application to the reviewer to perform a more in-depth screening.
- If the reviewer needs additional information, the reviewer may reach out to you.
- If additional documents are needed:
- The record status changes from In Process to Awaiting Corrections.
- The permit contacts are notified by email.
Refer to the following help articles for step-by-step instructions on how to respond to correction requests:
- How to Respond to Street Use Corrections
- How to Respond to Additional Information Requests from Street Use
More information about required documents can be found on our Utility Work in the Right-of-Way website.
How long does it take to get an SDOT permit associated with side sewer work in the right-of-way?
Permit timelines for SDOT Side Sewer permits vary based on scope and location of the work. Refer to the following help article to better understand the permit process and how to estimate permit timelines for your project:
What is the SDOT inspection scheduling process?
SDOT does not schedule appointment times for inspections likeSPU does.
- SDOT requires a job start notification to schedule the Initial Inspection.
- Some inspections are automatically scheduled, such as the Final inspection.
- Certain inspections can be requested when needed.
Refer to the following help articles for more information: