23.54.031

The number of permitted curb cuts is determined by whether the parking served by the curb cut is for residential or nonresidential use, and by the zone in which the use is located. If a curb cut is used for more than one use or for one or more live-work units, the requirements for the use with the largest curb cut requirements shall apply. A. Residential uses 1. Number of curb cuts a. For lots not located on a principal arterial as designated by the Seattle Department of Transportation, curb cuts are permitted according to Table A for 23.54.031: Table A for 23.54.031 Curb cuts for lots not located on a principal arterial or easement frontage Street or easement frontage of the lot Number of curb cuts permitted 80 feet or less 1 Greater than 80 feet up to 160 feet 2 Greater than 160 feet up to 240 feet 3 Greater than 240 feet up to 320 feet 4 For lots with frontage in excess of 320 feet, the pattern established above continues. b. For lots on principal arterials as designated by the Seattle Department of Transportation, curb cuts are permitted according to Table B for 23.54.031: Table B for 23.54.031 Curb cuts for principal arterial street frontage Street or easement frontage of the lot Number of curb cuts permitted 160 feet or less 1 Greater than 160 feet up to 320 feet 2 Greater than 320 feet up to 480 feet 3 For lots with street frontage in excess of 480 feet, the pattern established above continues. c. On a lot that has both principal arterial and non-principal arterial street frontage, the total number of curb cuts on the principal arterial is calculated using only the length of the street lot line on the principal arterial. d. If two adjoining lots share a common driveway, the combined frontage of the two lots will be considered as one in determining the maximum number of permitted curb cuts. 2. Curb cut width. Curb cuts shall not exceed a maximum width of 10 feet except that: a. For lots on principal arterials as designated by the Seattle Department of Transportation, the maximum curb cut width is 23 feet; b. One curb cut greater than 10 feet but in no case greater than 20 feet in width may be substituted for each two curb cuts permitted by subsection 23.54.031.A.1; c. A greater width may be specifically permitted by the development standards in a zone; d. If subsection 23.54.030.D requires a driveway greater than 10 feet in width, the curb cut may be as wide as the required width of the driveway; and e. A curb cut may be less than the maximum width permitted but shall be at least as wide as the minimum required width of the driveway it serves. 3. Distance between curb cuts a. The minimum distance between any two curb cuts located on a lot is 30 feet, except as provided in subsection 23.54.031.A.3.b. b. For attached dwelling units, the minimum distance between curb cuts is 18 feet (See Exhibit A for 23.54.031). For attached dwelling units located on abutting lots, the minimum distance between curb cuts is 18 feet. Exhibit A for 23.54.031 Paired driveways for attached units B. Nonresidential uses in all zones except industrial zones 1. Number of curb cuts a. In all residential zones, RC zones, and within the Major Institution Overlay District, two-way curb cuts are permitted according to Table C for 23.54.031: Table C for 23.54.031 Number of curb cuts in residential zones, RC zones and the Major Institution Overlay District Street frontage of the lot Number of curb cuts permitted 80 feet or less 1 Greater than 80 feet up to 240 feet 2 Greater than 240 feet up to 360 feet 3 Greater than 360 feet up to 480 feet 4 For lots with frontage in excess of 480 feet, one curb cut is permitted for every 120 feet of street frontage. b. The Director may allow two one-way curb cuts to be substituted for one two-way curb cut, after determining, as a Type I decision, that there would not be a significant conflict with pedestrian traffic. c. The Director shall, as a Type I decision, determine the number and location of curb cuts in C1 and C2 zones and the location of curb cuts in SM zones. d. In downtown zones, a maximum of two curb cuts for one-way traffic at least 40 feet apart, or one curb cut for two-way traffic, are permitted on each street front where access is permitted by subsection 23.49.019.H. No curb cut shall be located within 40 feet of an intersection. These standards may be modified by the Director as a Type I decision on lots with steep slopes or other special conditions, to the minimum extent necessary to provide vehicular and pedestrian safety and facilitate a smooth flow of traffic. e. For public schools, the Director shall permit, as a Type I decision, the minimum number of curb cuts that the Director determines is necessary. f. In NC zones, curb cuts shall be provided according to subsection 23.47A.032.A, or, when subsection 23.47A.032.A does not specify the maximum number of curb cuts, according to subsection 23.54.031.B.1.a. g. For police and fire stations the Director shall permit the minimum number of curb cuts that the Director determines is necessary to provide adequate maneuverability for emergency vehicles and access to the lot for passenger vehicles. 2. Curb cut widths a. For one-way traffic, the minimum width of curb cuts is 12 feet, and the maximum width is 15 feet. b. For two-way traffic, the minimum width of curb cuts is 22 feet, and the maximum width is 25 feet, except that the maximum width may be increased to 30 feet if truck and auto access are combined. c. For public schools, the maximum width of a curb cut is 25 feet. Development standard departures may be granted or required pursuant to the procedures and criteria set forth in Chapter 23.79 . d. For fire and police stations, the Director may allow curb cuts up to, and no wider than, the minimum width necessary to provide access for official emergency vehicles that have limited maneuverability and that must rapidly respond to emergencies. Curb cuts for fire and police stations are considered curb cuts for two-way traffic. e. If one of the following conditions applies, the Director may require a curb cut of up to 30 feet in width, if it is found that a wider curb cut is necessary for safe access: 1) The abutting street has a single lane on the side that abuts the lot; or 2) The curb lane abutting the lot is less than 11 feet wide; or 3) The proposed development is located on an arterial with an average daily traffic volume of over 7,000 vehicles; or 4) Off-street loading berths are required according to Section 23.54.035 . 3. The entrances to all garages accessory to nonresidential uses or live-work units and the entrances to all flexible-use parking garages shall be at least 6 feet 9 inches high. C. All uses in industrial zones 1. Number and location of curb cuts. The number and location of curb cuts will be determined by the Director. 2. Curb cut width. Curb cut width in industrial zones shall be as follows: a. Except as set forth in subsection 23.54.031.C.2.d, if the curb cut provides access to a parking area or structure, it must be a minimum of 15 feet wide and a maximum of 30 feet wide. b. If the curb cut provides access to a loading berth, the maximum width may be increased to 50 feet. c. Within the minimum and maximum widths established by this subsection 23.54.031.C, the Director shall determine the size of the curb cuts. d. If the curb cut provides access to a solid waste management use, the Director may determine the maximum width of the curb cut. D. Curb cuts for access easements 1. If a lot is crossed by an access easement serving other lots, the curb cut serving the easement may be as wide as the easement roadway. 2. The curb cut serving an access easement shall not be counted against the number or amount of curb cuts permitted to a lot if the lot is not itself served by the easement. E. Curb cut flare. A flare with a maximum width of 2.5 feet is permitted on either side of curb cuts in any zone. F. Replacement of unused curb cuts. When a curb cut is no longer needed to provide access to a lot, the curb and any planting strip must be replaced. G. Curb cuts are not allowed on streets if alley access to a lot is feasible but has not been provided. (Ord. 127376 , § 63, 2026 [renumbered from 23.54.030.F and amended]; Ord. 126685 , § 43, 2022; Ord. 126157 , § 44, 2020; Ord. 125603 , § 61, 2018; Ord. 125558 , § 48, 2018; Ord. 125272 , § 49, 2017; Ord. 124378 , § 59, 2013; Ord. 123872, § 6, 2012; Ord. 123649, § 39, 2011; Ord. 123495, § 67, 2011; Ord. 123209, § 56, 2009; Ord. 123047, § 2, 2009; Ord. 122935, § 15, 2009; Ord. 122816, § 5, 2008; Ord. 122311 , § 71, 2006; Ord. 122054, § 75, 2006 [cross-reference update]; Ord. 121782, § 33, 2005; Ord. 121196, § 25, 2003; Ord. 120691 , § 17, 2001; Ord. 118414, § 41, 1996; Ord. 118302, § 15, 1996; Ord. 117432 , § 39, 1994; Ord. 115326, § 28, 1990 [renumbered from 23.54.030.E and amended]; Ord. 113658, § 9, 1987; Ord. 113263, § 28, 1986; Ord. 112777, § 32, 1986.)