Requirements for Seattle Department of Transportation projects
Seattle Mun. Code § 15.70.040
in effect15.70.040 - Requirements for Seattle Department of Transportation projects
A. Whenever the Seattle Department of Transportation constructs a major paving project as defined in Section 15.80.010 or a reconstruction project along a segment of road that lacks sidewalks on both sides of the street, the construction project shall include installation of a sidewalk on at least one side of the street.
B. Whenever the Seattle Department of Transportation constructs a major paving project as defined in Section 15.80.010, the construction project shall include an evaluation of existing sidewalk conditions and correct any deficiencies identified in the evaluation that are within the major paving project.
C. Full compliance with the provisions of subsections 15.70.040.A and 15.70.040.B is not required where the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation determines that the characteristics of the physical features or usage of a street, or financial constraints of full compliance prevent the incorporation or restoration of sidewalks or the demonstration of pedestrian and bicycle improvements.
D. Every year, by February 1, the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation shall present a report to the City Council with a detailed list of major paving projects as defined in Section 15.80.010 that are planned for that year, with an evaluation of sidewalk presences or absences and any physical constraints that would make sidewalk installation infeasible. For each project for which it is determined that full compliance with subsections 15.70.040.A or 15.70.040.B is not required, the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation shall provide the following details as part of that report:
1. Why it is impractical to comply with subsections 15.70.040.A or 15.070.040.B;
2. The alternatives analyzed in determining that full compliance with subsections 15.70.040.A or 15.70.040.B is not required; and
3. How pedestrian connectivity and pedestrian safety could be advanced in the absence of a sidewalk in that segment, including a cost estimate for physical improvements, if it impractical to comply with subsection 15.70.040.A or 15.70.040.B.
E. For other Seattle Department of Transportation capital roadway improvement projects that are not a major paving project, sidewalk installation and sidewalk repair shall be prioritized for when:
1. There are locations where the absence of a sidewalk substantially impairs pedestrian movement within the roadway improvement project boundary;
2. There are missing sidewalks within the roadway improvement boundary and the missing sidewalk provides access to one or more schools;
3. There are missing sidewalks within the roadway improvement project and the missing sidewalk provides access points to parks and recreational facilities;
4. The roadway improvement project includes blocks with transit stops and adjacent cross streets within the project boundary;
5. The roadway improvement project boundary includes high-density land uses; and
6. The roadway improvement project boundary includes equity-priority areas at high risk of displacement.
This subsection is not intended to apply to pavement maintenance projects such as chip seal, pothole repairs, arterial major maintenance (AMM) projects, or emergency repairs.
(Ord. 126984, § 1, 2023.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT15STSIUS_SUBTITLE_IIIMACO_CH15.70SICO_15.70.040RESEDETRPRFetched: 11/1/2026