Standards for developments in public rights-of-way
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.60A.166
in effectA. Development, shoreline modifications and uses on submerged public rights-of-way are subject to the standards in subsection 23.60A.166.B, except for floating homes, which are required to comply with Section 23.60A.202 and except as provided in Section 23.60A.166.C. B. Structures in public rights-of-way 1. All in and over water structures shall be floating or buried except as allowed in subsection 23.60A.166.B.2; 2. Floating structures may be secured by piling and dolphins if the structures cannot be secured safely with anchors or with pilings or dolphins located outside of the right-of-way; 3. The maximum height of structures is 15 feet; 4. Structures shall not occupy more than 35 percent of the right-of-way and shall not occupy more than 40 percent of the width of the right-of-way; 5. A view corridor or corridors of not less than 50 percent of the width of the right-of-way shall be provided and maintained; and 6. An open channel, unobstructed by vessels or structures for access to and from the water for public navigation and for access to adjacent properties shall be maintained. C. Existing piers that are non-conforming and located in the UH Environment are allowed to be replaced to the existing footprint or reconfigured if the Director determines that: 1. The reconfiguration results in equal or greater protection of ecological functions; 2. Views from neighboring waterfront residences are not affected; 3. Required view corridors and street views are not further blocked; and 4. The reconfiguration results in equal or improved public access. D. Any proposed activity occurring within public rights-of-way located on state-owned aquatic lands must be authorized by the DNR prior to obtaining City of Seattle shoreline permits. (Ord. 124105 , § 3, 2013.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026