BUILDING AND EQUIPMENT MOVING

SEA-MC tit. 15, subtit. I, ch. 15.28

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.010 Permit required.

15.28.010 - Permit required. It is unlawful to move a building or equipment which requires relocation of utility wires or cables along or across any public place without a permit to do so from the Director of Transportation. When the move is along or across a park drive or boulevard, the Director shall coordinate with the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and the permit is subject to the Superintendent's concurrence. (Ord. 118409 § 72, 1996; Ord. 117569, § 76, 1995; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(A), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.020 Bond and insurance.

15.28.020 - Bond and insurance. A. Bond. The applicant shall furnish to the Director of Transportation, for filing with the City Clerk, a surety bond approved as to form by the City Attorney in an amount determined in accordance with Section 15.04.040, or have deposited a like amount into an escrow account under Section 15.04.042. If the Director elects to forego making an individual determination as to a particular application, the amount shall be Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000), and conditioned upon the requirements of Sections 15.04.040 through 15.04.044, subject to RCW 19.72.107. The bond shall be further conditioned to pay all costs and expenses contemplated by Sections 15.28.040 through 15.28.070, including the making of any necessary repairs to public places or facilities caused by reason of the permittee's operations in moving a building or equipment on or along any public place. B. Insurance. In addition to the bond, the applicant shall furnish to the Director of Transportation a certificate stating that the City is included as an additional insured on his or her protective public liability insurance. The amount and coverage shall be determined in accordance with Section 15.04.045, but, in lieu of making an individual determination as to the particular application, the Director may stipulate that the insurance shall provide for a limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) for all damages arising out of bodily injuries to, or death of any persons in any one (1) accident; and shall also provide property damage liability insurance providing for a limit of not less than One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) for all damages arising out of injury to or destruction of property in any one (1) accident. The insurance shall state that the Director of Transportation shall be given ten (10) days' notice of any change, cancellation or expiration of such insurance policy. C. Revocation. The Director of Transportation may revoke a permit at any time upon a failure to comply with any of the terms of the permit or this chapter or upon the conditions in Section 15.04.070. (Ord. 118409 § 73, 1996; Ord. 117569, § 77, 1995; Ord. 116368, § 221, 1992; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(B), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.030 Application for permit.

15.28.030 - Application for permit. Every application for a permit to move a building or equipment which requires relocation of utility wires or cable through or across a public place of the City shall be made to the Director of Transportation on a form provided by the Director. Every such application shall state the location of the building to be moved, its dimensions and principal materials, and shall describe the route over which the building is to be moved, the length of time that will be required to move it, and the proposed new location thereof. Before any permit to move a building to a site within the City is issued, specific written approval must be obtained from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. The concurrence of the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation is necessary if the building or such equipment will be moved along or across a park drive or boulevard; and the approval of all utilities is also necessary, if those utilities are to be disturbed. (Ord. 124919, § 53, 2015; Ord. 118409 § 74, 1996; Ord. 117569, § 78, 1995; Ord. 115994, § 25, 1991; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(C), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.040 Removal or trimming of trees or shrubbery.

15.28.040 - Removal or trimming of trees or shrubbery. Where the removal or trimming of any trees or other shrubbery is necessary, the building or equipment mover is required to obtain from the owner thereof a written release for any damages, holding the City free of any liability or damages whatsoever. If the building or equipment is to be moved along or across any boulevard or other public place controlled by the Parks and Recreation Department, the building or equipment mover is also required to have written approval from the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. (Ord. 117569, § 79, 1995; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(D), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.050 Wires and cables—Relocation and costs; trees in boulevards or parks.

15.28.050 - Wires and cables—Relocation and costs; trees in boulevards or parks. A person who maintains wires, cable or appurtenances in or over a public place shall move or disconnect them in order to accommodate a move authorized by permit as contemplated by Section 15.32.110. When the wires are below minimum vertical clearances above the roadway surface set by state statute, City ordinance, or rules of the authorizing official, and timely notice has been given, and no adjustment or disconnection would be necessary had the minimum vertical clearance been maintained, the cost of moving the wires or cables shall be borne by the person maintaining the wires or cables; otherwise the cost shall be assessed to the grantee of the permit to move the building or equipment. The Director of Transportation shall determine the probable injury and cost which the moving of a building or equipment will cause to owners of wires and cables that are at or above minimum vertical clearances over the surface of the public place, and also the probable injury and inconvenience the severance of such wires and cables will cause to patrons of public utilities. The Superintendent shall determine the probable injury and cost of restoration or loss which the moving of a building or equipment along or across a park drive or boulevard or a street abutting a park will cause to the department's trees and shrubbery. Such findings shall be endorsed upon the application for permit. (Ord. 118409 § 75, 1996; Ord. 117569, § 80, 1995; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(E), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.060 Determination of probable interference.

15.28.060 - Determination of probable interference. A. Investigation. The Director of Transportation shall ascertain the probable interference with the rights of the public that such moving will cause, and any other facts which may aid in determining whether or not such permit should be granted. The Director of Transportation shall also prescribe the time such moving shall be done, the route to be followed and such traffic barricades and escorts and any other stipulations such official may deem necessary for public safety and convenience. The determinations of the Director shall be subject to the concurrence of the Superintendent with respect to movement along or across a park drive or boulevard. B. Opportunity for Hearing. If the Director of Transportation finds the injury and inconvenience to the public, to owners of private property, and to public utilities is minor, or that the affected parties consent to the move, and the Superintendent concurs in authorizing the movement planned along or across a park drive or boulevard, the Director may grant the permit without a hearing. If the Director of Transportation finds that there would be substantial injury or inconvenience to the public, to public utilities or to owners of private property and there are unresolved objections to the move, the Director shall notify the applicant that the permit may only be granted through a public hearing process; and, if the applicant so requests, the Director shall designate a hearing officer and schedule a hearing. C. Hearings. If a hearing is scheduled, the Director shall notify the applicant and the owners or agents of the properties that may be affected of the date, time, and place of the public hearing regarding such application. At this hearing, all persons interested may appear and offer their opinion regarding whether or not such permit should be granted. D. Cost of Advertising. Whenever the Director of Transportation determines that a public hearing must be held to determine whether or not a permit to move a building or equipment should be granted, the applicant shall pay the cost to the City for advertising the hearing. E. Decision. Based upon the findings of the hearing officer with respect to such application and the testimony received during the public hearing on such application, the Director shall determine whether or not such permit shall be granted. (Ord. 118409 § 76, 1996; Ord. 118369 § 10, 1996; Ord. 117569, § 81, 1995; Ord. 115994, § 26, 1991; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord 90047, § 28-A(F), 1961.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.070 Grantee to bear expenses

15.28.070 - Grantee to bear expenses The grantee of a permit to move a building or equipment which requires relocating utility wires or cable along or across any public place shall bear any and all expenses to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Seattle Department of Transportation, and Seattle Police Department that may be occasioned by such moving; provided, that nothing contained in this Chapter 15.28 shall be construed as repealing any of the provisions of any franchise ordinance. (Ord. 121420, § 1, 2004 [department name change]; Ord. 118409, § 77, 1996 [department name change]; Ord. 117569, § 82, 1995; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979 [added § 28-A to Ord. 90047, 1961].)

Seattle Mun. Code § 15.28.080 Authority to make rules and regulations.

15.28.080 - Authority to make rules and regulations. The Director of Transportation may make rules and regulations pursuant to the Administrative Code of the City (Ordinance 102228) [3] and governing the moving of buildings along or across public places. Violation of those rules and regulations constitutes a violation of this subtitle. (Ord. 118409 § 78, 1996; Ord. 108382, § 2, 1979; Ord. 90047, § 28-A(H), 1961.)

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_CH15.28BUEQMOFetched: 11/1/2026