How to Estimate and Pay Permit Fees

We made important changes to our fee schedule that took effect on January 1, 2024. Our Director made these updates based on the recent 5.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue. Additionally, we are pleased to share that several fees for specific activities will be waived until January 1, 2026 as part of Mayor Harrell's Downtown Activation Plan. This includes fees for Year-round, Seasonal, or Temporary Public Street & Sidewalk Activities and all types of Vending permits.

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Parking Permits and Related Fees

For information about parking permit fees, please visit the Parking Permits page.

Street Use Permits and Related Fees

There are several types of fees related to Street Use permits.

Permit fees are one-time fees for the issuance or renewal of a permit.

NOTE: Depending on its complexity, an application may incur our hourly rate for inspection and review for which you will be billed separately.

Use fees are what we charge permit holders for the square footage area of the right-of-way that they use short-term for non-transportation uses. Use fees are charged in addition to permit and hourly rates.

Occupation fees are what we charge permit holders for the square footage area of the right-of-way that they use long-term for non-transportation uses. Occupation fees are charged in addition to permit and hourly rates.

Both Use and Occupation fees help fund the voluntary improvement program (SMC 15.04.100) and road maintenance programs, subsidize permitting for positive uses of the right-of-way, program administration, and process improvements. These fees will be adjusted annually based on the percentage change of the Average Assessed Land Value (AALV).

How to Use the Use Fee Estimator

With the completion of our migration to Accela, we have updated our online fee estimating tool accordingly. Please note that this tool is only for Use fees and does not include any related permit fees or hourly rates that you may incur. If you are applying for a Public Space or Vending permit, see the section below on Public Space Occupancy Fees and Vending Permits.

Public Space Permits - Occupation Fees

Visit the Public Space Programs web page for more information and links to Public Space Management permits.

We are assessing Occupation fees for many of our permits based on the impacts to high use areas like arterials and in Urban Centers and Villages. Table 1: Occupation Fee Model (below) illustrates the model.

Table 1: Occupation Fee Model (Effective 6/10/2019)

Cost per square foot Urban Center Urban Village Neither
Arterial street $1.40 $1.35 $.90
Non-arterial street $1.20 $1.15 $.70

You can look up information about Urban Centers, Urban Villages, and street types on Streets Illustrated.

Permits with Occupation Fees

The table below shows the permitted use description and relevant Occupation fee.

Table 2: Occupation Fee According to Permitted Use

Permitted Use Description Occupation Fee
At-grade structures See Table 1: Occupation Fee Model
Above- or below-grade structures $0.70 per square foot
Fixed ground sign $767 per sign
Fenced material storage and private use See Table 1: Occupation Fee Model
Non-decommissioned underground storage tanks $767 per tank
Permanent soldier piles $1,011 per pile
Structures, moorage, and overhangs in state waterways $2.18 per square foot
Active areaways $0.70 per square foot

Public Space Vending Permits

We encourage street-food and flower vending to increase public use, enjoyment, and safety of our public right-of-way. Street-food vending is a great way to encourage walking, add vitality to the street, and promote local economic development. Please visit our Vending Permits page for more information about these permit types.

How to Pay Your Permit Fees or Dispute a Fee or Charge

Invoiced Fees

To pay an invoice, please mail a check to the address listed on your invoice.

Invoiced fees cannot be paid over the phone or at either the Street Use or Traffic permit counters. If your permit was issued through the Seattle Services Portal, invoiced fees can be paid online. Otherwise, please remit payment according to the instructions on the invoice.

Online Fee Payments

Please log into the Seattle Services Portal to make your payment.

Information on how to find and pay fees can be found in the Fees section of the Help Center.

*To dispute or inquire about a Street Use fee or charge

Fee Dispute and Inquiry Process

If you have a fee dispute and/or inquiry related to a Street Use permit, please follow the process below:

  1. Complete the Dispute Request Form
  2. Upload the Dispute Request Form to the permit using a Document Type of Dispute Request Form on the Attachments tab per the instructions in the How Do I Submit a Street Use Fee Dispute Request? help article.

In-Person Payments

We are not accepting in person payments at this time.

Paying by Check

To pay by check:

Make the check out to City of Seattle, SDOT

In a memo on the check include: St Use, permit number, project address.

Mail the check to:

SDOT, Street Use

PO Box 34996 Suite 2300

Seattle, WA 98124-4996

Ready to get started?

Go to the Seattle Services Portal to apply for a permit, make a payment, or check your permit status.

Need to make a payment?

If you need to make a payment for a permit and the permit number is six digits long, click the button below. For all other permits, please sign into the Seattle Services Portal.

Street Use Virtual Coaching Is Available!

Would you like to talk with a Street Use Reviewer about a technical issue?

Virtual Coaching Hours take place Monday - Friday at the below times:

Please include your name, phone number, email address, permit number (if available) and your question for us.