Seattle Driveway Approach Permit Guide: SDOT Rules and Process
Last Updated: 5/11/2026If you are pouring or replacing a driveway in Seattle, the slab itself is only part of the project. The approach — the section between your property line and the street, including the curb cut and sidewalk crossing — sits in the public right-of-way and is governed by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). This guide explains when a Street Use permit is required, what counts as right-of-way work, how curb cuts and ADA crossings factor in, and how to plan the SDOT timeline alongside the rest of your concrete driveway build.
What an approach permit actually covers
A Seattle driveway approach permit authorizes work inside the public right-of-way: the curb cut, the sidewalk crossing, gutter modifications, and the transition apron between the street and your property line. Anything past the property line is private slab work and falls under different rules. The approach permit is a Street Use permit issued by SDOT, separate from any SDCI building permit you might also need for adjacent work like a garage, retaining wall, or addition.
When SDOT review is required
| Trigger | Why SDOT cares |
|---|---|
| New curb cut where none exists | New public-infrastructure element; design and accessibility review |
| Widening an existing approach | Changes pedestrian-path geometry and drainage |
| Rebuilding a deteriorated curb cut | Reconstruction in the right-of-way is permittable work |
| Sidewalk replacement at the crossing | Cross slope, panel size, and joint pattern must meet SDOT standard plans |
| Driveway near a transit stop or bike lane | Coordination with SDOT corridor teams |
| Approach in a steep-slope corridor | Drainage routing reviewed for runoff impact |
If your project only replaces the private slab inside your property line and does not touch the curb, sidewalk, or apron, you generally do not need a Street Use permit for the driveway itself. Always confirm boundary lines before assuming — many older properties have approaches that extend further into the right-of-way than the homeowner expects.
Curb cuts: public infrastructure on your driveway
The curb cut is the dropped curb section where your driveway meets the street. It is city infrastructure even though the property owner pays for installation. SDOT controls the placement, width, and detail. Maximum widths vary by zoning and street classification; arterials have stricter geometry rules than residential streets. Two-driveway curb cuts on a single lot are allowed in some cases but require justification. Removing an unused curb cut and restoring the curb is also a permitted operation and is sometimes required when a property is subdivided or rezoned.
ADA compliance at the sidewalk crossing
The pedestrian path across your driveway has to stay accessible. The cross slope — the side-to-side tilt across the sidewalk — must stay within roughly two percent, with a small tolerance for construction. That constraint is what often dictates the design: the driveway slope rises and falls behind the sidewalk, not across it. If the existing sidewalk has a steep cross slope, the SDOT permit will require it to be rebuilt to the standard. Where the approach is near an intersection, the curb ramp on the corner may also be triggered for upgrade under SDOT's pedestrian-accessibility rules. Plan for this when budgeting an approach — sometimes the adjacent ADA ramp work is the larger line item.
The permit application and inspection process
- Site walk: contractor confirms the property line, measures existing cross slope, photographs the curb cut and surrounding panels.
- Drawing: a site plan to SDOT standards showing approach width, cross slope, joint pattern, and any sidewalk replacement scope.
- Application: submitted through SDOT's Street Use system with the standard fee schedule.
- Review: SDOT may request revisions or coordinate with the corridor team if transit, bike, or accessibility issues apply.
- Pre-pour inspection: forms and base verified on site.
- Concrete placement: per SDOT spec, with proper joint and finish.
- Final inspection: cross slope, joint pattern, and surface finish checked before sign-off.
Plan two to six weeks of permit lead time for a routine residential approach. Right-of-way work involving multiple coordination groups can take longer.
Pacific Northwest factors
Seattle's wet winters change how SDOT looks at drainage. An approach that channels runoff into the street is normal; an approach that pools water against the sidewalk, or routes runoff toward an ECA, will trigger revisions. Approaches in hillside neighborhoods (West Seattle, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne) also pick up steep-slope considerations — the apron grade has to land within the city's allowed range, and steep approaches often need a transition area inside the property line so the vehicle bottom clears. Before placing concrete, the base layer should be compacted glacial till or imported structural fill; soft native soils common to filled lots cause settlement and crack the slab the first winter.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Seattle?
If the work stops at your property line and you are replacing the existing driveway in the same footprint, you typically do not need a SDOT Street Use permit for the slab itself. The moment work crosses into the public right-of-way — the section between your property line and the curb, including the curb cut and sidewalk crossing — SDOT review is required. New approaches, widened approaches, and rebuilt curb cuts all trigger a Street Use permit.
What is a curb cut and who controls it?
A curb cut is the dropped section of curb where a driveway meets the street. Curb cuts sit in the public right-of-way and are controlled by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Creating a new curb cut or modifying an existing one requires a SDOT Street Use permit and inspection. Property owners typically pay for the work, but the curb cut remains city infrastructure.
How long does a Seattle driveway approach permit take?
Routine residential approach permits typically move through SDOT in two to six weeks once the application is complete. Permits that involve right-of-way changes, ADA ramp coordination, or work near transit and bike infrastructure can take longer. Build the permit timeline into the project schedule before scheduling concrete delivery.
Does my driveway approach need to be ADA-compliant?
The sidewalk crossing portion of an approach must remain accessible — typically a maximum two-percent cross slope across the pedestrian path. If the sidewalk needs to be rebuilt to maintain the accessible cross slope, that work is included in the approach permit. Adjacent curb ramps may also require upgrade under SDOT's accessibility triggers.
What does a SDOT approach permit cost?
SDOT publishes its fee schedule annually; expect a base permit fee plus per-inspection and right-of-way occupation fees. The fee is small relative to the concrete work itself, but underestimating it causes scheduling problems. Get the permit cost as a line item on your contractor's estimate so the total project cost is accurate.
Plan the SDOT permit before the pour
Approach permits are not paperwork added at the end — they shape the design. A free on-site estimate confirms whether your project crosses the property line, identifies any curb-cut or ADA triggers, and produces a realistic timeline. Call (206) 552-9998 or browse concrete driveway services. For more on Seattle's permit landscape across project types, see our retaining wall permit guide and the concrete permits and inspections overview.
