At-grade communication cabinets
Seattle Mun. Code § 15.32.200
in effect15.32.200 - At-grade communication cabinets
A. The standards in Chapter 15.32 are imposed to minimize the health, safety, and visual impact of communication cabinets and accessory equipment in the public place. Developing and installing communication cabinets and accessory equipment in the public place may also be subject to other regulations, including but not limited to: Chapter 25.05, SEPA Policies and Procedures; Title 23, Land Use Code; and Title 15, Street and Sidewalk Use Code.
B. Existing communication cabinets and accessory equipment may remain in use, or be upgraded or repaired, subject to the provisions of Chapter 15.32 and any other applicable code and rule.
C. Communication cabinets shall, when possible; be sited using the fewest and smallest cabinets and equipment available that satisfy the service objectives of the site or project, and in locations that reduce the visual impact of the cabinets and the overall project. Examples include siting the cabinet behind the sidewalk edge that is furthest from the street or in unimproved public places as opposed to locating a cabinet in a planting strip. Cabinets shall, when possible, be painted a color that blends the cabinet into its surroundings.
D. Communication cabinets mounted to street light or utility poles are subject to the applicable provisions in Section 15.32.300 and Seattle City Light Standards for pole attachments.
E. Applicants for new at-grade communication cabinet installations that are proposed to be located in the public place abutting any zone and that are more than 36 inches in height including footings or bases as measured from the grade of the surrounding public place, or that have a maximum volume of more than 18 cubic feet, shall demonstrate the following in writing before a Street Use permit to occupy the public place may be issued:
1. A private property easement could not be obtained for the communication cabinet installation or verification that this type of use is not authorized within the zoning of the private property; and
2. It is not technically feasible to install the communication cabinet underground; and
3. The communication cabinet could not be attached to a street light or utility pole, according to the applicable requirements of Section 15.32.300 and Seattle City Light standards.
4. The Director of Transportation may waive the requirements of this subsection 15.32.200.E if the proposed project deploys enhanced communication service that provides a new service or upgrades a similar service currently provided in the proposed project area and the proposed at-grade project design, in the Director's judgment, minimizes the visual impacts to the public place and results in significantly fewer cabinet installations in the project area.
F. The applicant for a new at-grade communication cabinet proposal that is more than 36 inches in height including footings or bases as measured from the grade of the surrounding public place, or has a maximum volume of more than 18 cubic feet, shall: (1) send notice of a Seattle Department of Transportation application by first-class mail to all business entities, property owners, and residents located within a 100-foot radius from where the communication cabinet is proposed to be located; and (2) post notice of the new application at the proposed site. The notice shall be displayed towards the nearest public place that abuts the site and is viewable by the public and shall be maintained on the site for the duration of the public notice period.
1. If the new at-grade communication cabinet proposal is more than 36 inches in height including footings or bases as measured from the grade of the surrounding public place, or has a maximum volume of more than 18 cubic feet, and is abutting a lot zoned NR, LR1, LR2, or LR3 as these zoning designations are defined under subsection 23.30.010.A and the abutting zoning does not have an RC classification as shown on the Official Land Use Map, Chapter 23.32 ("residentially zoned parcels"), the communication cabinet shall be fully screened from the public place and abutting private property. If it is not feasible to install mitigation screening due to physical site constraints, the applicant shall provide an alternative mitigation proposal within 200 feet of the project. If the alternative mitigation cannot be located within 200 feet of the project, the applicant shall propose an alternative location that the Director shall review and may approve. All mitigation screening shall comply with setback standards in Section 15.32.250 and remain the permittee's sole responsibility to maintain so long as the communication cabinet or accessory equipment occupies the public place. As determined by the Director, mitigation screening may include landscaping, fencing, or visual treatment to the cabinet surface. Visual treatment to the cabinet may include paint, decals, vinyl wraps, photos, or other surface treatments. A cabinet shall be considered fully screened for visual treatment purposes when the treatment is applied to all communication cabinet vertical surfaces.
2. The applicant shall send and post all required notices at least three calendar days before the start of the public notice period. The mailing and on-site notice shall be on a form provided by the Seattle Department of Transportation and shall include: a description of the proposed location and installations, comment period dates, information on how the public can submit comments to the Seattle Department of Transportation, and how to request a reconsideration of a Street Use permit decision. If the proposal is abutting a residentially zoned parcel, the mailing and on-site notice shall include a visual and narrative description of the proposed mitigation screening required in subsection 15.32.200.F.1.
3. Written comments concerning the application shall be postmarked or emailed to the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation within ten business days after the first day of the public notice period.
4. The applicant shall provide the Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation with a mailing list containing the individuals the notice was mailed to, the recipient's mailing address, and date the notice was mailed to each recipient.
G. The applicant shall obtain a Certificate of Approval for the communication cabinet from the appropriate Board or Commission when located in a Landmark or Historic District subject to the provisions of Title 23 or 25.
H. A communication cabinet Street Use permit shall not be issued until: the Certificate of Approval from the applicable Landmark or Historic District Board has been obtained; the complete public notice mailing list has been received by the Director of Transportation; and if required, the notice of application comment period has ended.
I. After the close of the comment period, the Director will review all comments and documents and make a final decision to approve, approve with additional site-specific conditions, or deny the permit based on the following:
1. The proposal meets standards established in Chapter 15.32; and
2. Conditions arising from public comments that are consistent with Chapter 15.32 or the Director's authority to regulate street uses under Title 15 or other applicable law.
(Ord. 127376, § 5, 2025; Ord. 126509, § 8, 2022 [zone name change]; Ord. 125946, § 20, 2019; Ord. No. 124598, § 6, 2014)
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_ISTUSOR_CH15.32FRPUUTPERE_15.32.200ADCOCAFetched: 11/1/2026