Seattle Driveway Approach Permit Guide: SDOT Rules and Process
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If 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 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) oversees it. This guide explains which permit covers right-of-way driveway work, how curb cuts are reviewed, what the sidewalk crossing has to meet, and how to plan the permit alongside the rest of your concrete driveway build. It is one of several guides in our Seattle concrete permits hub.
What an approach permit actually covers
A Seattle driveway approach permit authorizes work inside the public right-of-way: the curb cut, the apron, the sidewalk crossing, and any curb or gutter changes. Anything past the property line is private slab work. SDCI generally does not require a permit for a private driveway less than 18 inches above grade, unless the site is in an environmentally critical area. SDCI Size still matters: SDCI requires a grading permit if you add or replace 750 square feet or more of paving (unless the work is part of a building permit), and that size also brings drainage review; see Seattle's stormwater rules for driveways and patios.
There are two permit paths for the curb cut itself. When the driveway is part of a building project, the curb cut is included in the SDCI construction permit. Otherwise, it is a stand-alone SDOT Street Use permit. In both cases SDCI and SDOT check the width, location, and number of curb cuts against SMC 23.54.030.F and the site plan standards in SDCI Tip 103. SDCI Curb Cut
Which SDOT permit fits your driveway work
SDOT's guide to permits for development projects (AG 1001) SDOT AG 1001 sorts right-of-way driveway work like this:
| Work in the right-of-way | SDOT permit type |
|---|---|
| Sidewalk or driveway repairs under 100 sq ft | ROW Maintenance Permit |
| Repairing an existing concrete driveway | ROW Construction Permit |
| Closing an old driveway curb cut | ROW Construction Permit |
| New concrete driveway where a curb already exists | ROW Construction Permit |
| Replacing sidewalk in kind (under 2,000 sq ft) | ROW Construction Permit |
| Building a new curb where none exists | Street Improvement Permit |
If your project only replaces the private slab inside your property line and does not touch the curb, sidewalk, or apron, SDOT does not need to permit the driveway itself. Confirm the property line before assuming. Many older approaches extend further into the right-of-way than homeowners expect.
Planning a new driveway or curb cut in Seattle? See our concrete driveway and sidewalk and curb work services. Call (206) 552-9998 for a free on-site estimate.
Curb cuts: public infrastructure on your driveway
The curb cut is the dropped curb section where your driveway meets the street. Because curbs sit in the City right-of-way, SDOT oversees them even though the property owner pays for the work. The Land Use Code, not the contractor, sets how wide a curb cut can be and how many a lot may have. SDOT's Streets Illustrated points to SMC 23.54 for curb cut and driveway widths, with zone-specific variations. Streets Illustrated If your lot has an alley, ask early whether access must come from it. Removing an unused curb cut and restoring the curb also needs a ROW Construction Permit.
ADA compliance at the sidewalk crossing
The pedestrian path across your driveway has to stay accessible. Seattle's Streets Illustrated standards define the portions of a driveway in line with and adjacent to the sidewalk as sidewalk, and they say the public sidewalk has the right-of-way over private crossings. Streets Illustrated Sidewalk cross slope - the side-to-side tilt - is 1.5 percent standard, with a 2 percent maximum. Streets Illustrated That constraint often dictates the design: the driveway rises or falls behind the sidewalk, not across it, and vertical curves and grade breaks start at the property line. If the project includes a new curb ramp, SDOT inspects it for ADA compliance, so budget for ADA ramp work when a ramp is in scope.
The permit application and inspection process
- Scope the right-of-way work: confirm the property line and list the curb cut, apron, sidewalk panels, and any curb ramp involved.
- Pick the permit path: SDCI construction permit if there is a building project, otherwise a stand-alone Street Use permit from the table above.
- Prepare the site plan: show the curb cut width and its distance from adjacent property lines, and label each curb cut as existing or proposed (SDCI Tip 103).
- Apply on the Seattle Services Portal and respond to review comments.
- Schedule the job start: submit a job start notification at least two business days ahead. It also schedules the initial inspection. SDOT
- Build and inspect: Street Use inspectors check traffic control and stormwater practices, restoration work, and any new curb ramp.
- Final inspection: SDOT confirms the street and sidewalk are clear and the repairs are complete.
SDOT does not publish one fixed review time. The Seattle Services Portal shows a targeted date for each permit step, and SDOT notes that a full review cycle usually includes several steps. When the driveway is part of a building project, SDOT recommends applying for the right-of-way permit at the same time as the SDCI permit. SDOT AG 1001
Pacific Northwest factors
Seattle's wet winters make drainage part of the approach design. The sidewalk standard directs runoff toward the planting strip, and an approach that pools water against the sidewalk or garage will cause problems every rainy season. Hillside neighborhoods (West Seattle, Magnolia, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne) add grade problems: the driveway slope limits in SMC 23.54.030 apply, and steep approaches often need a transition area inside the property line so the vehicle bottom clears. Before placing concrete, the base should be compacted glacial till or imported structural fill. Soft native soils common to filled lots settle and crack the slab.
Outside Seattle? See the Bellevue driveway permit guide and the Everett driveway permit guide. Fixing the public sidewalk itself? See who’s responsible for Seattle sidewalk repair.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Seattle?
If the work stays on your side of the property line, SDOT does not permit the slab itself, and SDCI generally does not require a permit for a driveway less than 18 inches above grade unless the site is in an environmentally critical area. Adding or replacing 750 square feet or more of paving does need an SDCI grading permit. Work in the public right-of-way is different: you need a Street Use permit before work starts. Repairs under 100 square feet use a ROW Maintenance Permit; repairing an existing concrete driveway approach, building a new one where a curb exists, or closing an old curb cut uses a ROW Construction 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. Curbs sit in the City right-of-way, so SDOT oversees them. When there is a building project on the site, the curb cut is reviewed as part of the SDCI construction permit; otherwise it is a stand-alone SDOT Street Use permit. Either way, the width, location, and number of curb cuts must comply with SMC 23.54.030.F.
How long does a Seattle driveway approach permit take?
SDOT does not publish one fixed review time for driveway permits. Each permit step in the Seattle Services Portal shows a targeted date, but SDOT notes that a full review cycle usually includes several steps. If the driveway is part of a building project, SDOT recommends applying for the right-of-way permit at the same time as the SDCI permit. Build permit time into the schedule before booking concrete.
Does my driveway approach need to be ADA-compliant?
The part that crosses the sidewalk does. Seattle's Streets Illustrated standards define the portions of a driveway in line with and adjacent to the sidewalk as sidewalk, and sidewalk cross slope is 1.5 percent standard with a 2 percent maximum. If the project builds a new curb ramp, SDOT's curb ramp inspection checks that it meets ADA requirements.
What does a SDOT approach permit cost?
SDOT updates its Street Use fee schedule each year; for 2026 it raised its review, inspection, issuance, and renewal fees by 2.6 percent. A permit can combine a one-time issuance fee, hourly review and inspection charges that depend on complexity, and use fees for the right-of-way area you occupy. SDOT's online Use Fee Estimator covers only use fees, so ask your contractor to list permit costs as a separate line item.
Sources
- SDOT – AG 1001: SDOT Permits for Development Projects
- SDCI – Curb Cut Permit
- SDOT – Street Use Inspections
- SDOT – How to Estimate and Pay Permit Fees
- Seattle Streets Illustrated – Access Easements and Driveways
- Seattle Streets Illustrated – Design Cross Section (sidewalk cross slope)
- SDCI – Do You Need a Permit?
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. Building a wall beside a steep approach? See the retaining wall permit guide.
