How Do I Apply for a Street Trees - Approval for Development (Conceptual Approval) Permit?

Instructions for Applying for a Street Trees - Approval for Development (Conceptual Approval) Permit

Follow these step-by-step instructions to apply for a Street Trees - Approval for Development (Conceptual Approval) permit using the Seattle Services Portal. This process helps ensure that your application for street tree work meets SDOT Urban Forestry’s requirements for planting, pruning, removing, relocating, or protecting street trees.

Required Documents

Make sure you have the following documents ready before starting your application:

• Landscape Plan - see section IV, item 2 on page 18.
• Letter of Authorization
• Any additional documents specific to your project. A reviewer will notify you if additional materials are needed.

Key Terms

Here are some important terms you’ll come across during the application process.

• Landscape Plan: An accurate drawing that includes the species and size of the trees in the right-of-way. Include the depth of the planting soil, the width of the planting strip, and the locations of existing trees, overhead and underground utilities and utility poles, meters, or other structures like sidewalks. It must be possible to measure objects on the plan to determine distances.

  Important: The landscape plan must be signed by a landscape professional. Landscape professionals may include but are not limited to licensed landscape architects, certified professional horticulturalists, and certified landscape designers.

• Letter of Authorization: A signed document that gives permission from the property owner to another party (like the applicant) to manage the permit.

Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Log in or Register

1. Visit the Seattle Services Portal.
   • If you already have an account, log in with your credentials.
   • If you don’t have an account, register for a new account before proceeding.

Step 2: Start the Application

1. Click on the Home tab in the portal.
2. Under Create New, select Permits – Street Use.
3. Expand the Trees and Vegetation section by clicking on it.
4. Select Street Trees – Approval for Development Projects (Conceptual Approval).
5. Scroll down and click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 3: Enter Location Information

1. On the Location Information page, enter the address of your project:
   • Street No. (required) – Enter the house or building number.
   • Prefix Dir – Select a directional prefix (for example, N, S, E, W), if applicable.
   • Street Name (required) – Enter the name of the road. When entering a Street Name for a numbered street, such as 5th Ave, only enter "5" in the Street Name field.
   • Street Type – Specify the road type (for example, ST, AVE, BLVD).
   • Suffix Dir – Select a directional suffix, if applicable.
2. Click Search. If prompted, select the correct address or parcel number.
3. Click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 4: Add Contact Information

1. On the Contacts page, provide contact details for:
   • Applicant - the individual who is applying.
   • Owner - who owns the property, business, or asset.
   • Financially Responsible Party - who is paying for the permit.
   • Onsite Contact - the individual who is available if we need to speak with somebody onsite.
2. For each contact:
   • Use Select From Account to auto-populate your details from your user profile.
   • Use Look Up to search for existing contacts.
   • Use Add New to add a new contact.
   • Use the ...is the same as dropdown if contacts overlap (for example, the Applicant and Owner are the same).
3. Click Continue Application to proceed.

   Note: If the Applicant or Financially Responsible Party is different from the Owner, a Letter of Authorization will be required later.

Step 5: Provide Project Information

1. On the Project Information page, complete the following fields:
   • Project Name – Enter a brief title for the project (for example, “Tree Planting for New Townhomes”).
   • Project and Location Description (required) – Describe the work to be carried out, including the address and nearby landmarks (for example, “Planting 2 trees on NW 73rd St to meet Green Factor requirements”).
2. Click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 6: Enter Related Information

1. On the Related Information page:
   • Include permit numbers associated with your project. You must enter at least one permit number.
   • Skip the Permit Priority and Project Identification sections unless your reviewer specifically directed you to complete them.
2. Click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 7: Input Use Details

1. On the Use Information page, follow these steps:
   1. Click Add a Row under the Use Details section.
   2. Complete the following fields in the pop-up window:
      • Use (required) – Keep the default value of "Tree – Plant, Prune, Remove, Protect, or Relocate."
      • Use Code – Auto-populates based on the Use selected.
      • Street Category – Select the type of street where the work will occur.
      • Side of Street – Specify the side of the street where the work will occur.
      • Use Area (sq. ft.) (required) - Keep the default value of "500" square feet or enter a custom value if you need more space.
      • Mobility Type – Select the mobility type that may be impacted by your proposed tree work.
      • Closure Type (required) – Select the closure type needed for your proposed tree work. Most work can be completed with intermittent or no closures.
      • Use Start Date (required) – Enter the estimated start date.
      • Duration Day(s) (required) – Enter the length of time for the work. The default value is "365" days.
      • Exp Date - Auto-populates based on the Start Date and Duration.
   3. Click Submit.
   4. Repeat steps a to c above for each street impacted by your project.
2. Next, under the Tree Action Details section:
   1. Click Add a Row to describe individual trees impacted by the work.
   2. In the Select Action popup:
      1. Select the type of action (for example, Plant).
      2. Click Next.
   3. In the Select Reason popup:
      1. Select the reason for the action selected in the previous popup.
      2. Click Finish.
   4. Complete the popup fields:
      • Action – Auto-populates based on the Action selected.
      • Count (required) – Enter the number of affected trees (same species and size).
      • Species (required) – Specify the tree species. Enter a separate row for each tree species.
      • Tree Size – Enter the tree’s size in inches (DSH or CAL). Enter a separate row for each tree size.
      • Reason – Auto-populates based on the Reason selected.
      • Description of Work – Provide more information about the proposed work.
   5. Click Submit.
   6. Repeat steps a to e above for each tree species, size, or action.

      IMPORTANT: All existing and new street trees should be recorded in this table.

   7. When all rows have been added, click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 8: Attach Required Documents

1. On the Documents page:
   1. Click Select under the Attachment section.
   2. Click Select in the File Upload popup.
   3. Select your Landscape Plan and click Open.
   4. Click Done in the File Upload popup.
   5. Choose Landscape Plan as the Document Type.
   6. Optionally, enter Description of the document.
   7. Click Save and wait for the upload to complete.

      Note: It may take a few minutes for your Landscape Plan to fully upload.

   8. Repeat steps a to g for each additional document required.
2. Click Continue Application to proceed.

Step 9: Review and Submit

1. On the Review page:
   • Verify that all information is correct.
   • Make edits as needed by clicking Edit in the relevant sections.
   • Scroll to the bottom. Agree to the certification statement by checking the box.
2. Click Continue Application to submit.

Step 10: Confirmation

1. A Thank You page will display, along with your application’s Record Number.
   • Keep this number for future reference.

Congratulations! Your application has been submitted for review. The SDOT Urban Forestry team will contact you if additional information is required. For questions or updates, email [e-mail] and include your Record Number in the subject line.

Need Help?

Visit the Seattle Services Portal or reach out to [e-mail] for assistance.