The Office of Hearing Examiner is a separate and independent office of the City created by the Seattle Municipal Code.  The Office is charged with conducting fair and impartial administrative hearings, when authorized by the Code, to review the actions of various City departments. The Hearing Examiner's decision in a case is usually the City's final decision.

The Office of Hearing Examiner currently handles more than 75 different types of matters.  Click here for the complete list, which also includes links to the applicable Seattle Municipal Code sections.

RULES’ CHANGES

Pursuant to Seattle Municipal Code §3.02.030, the Seattle Hearing Examiner is proposing amendments to the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Rules for Discrimination Cases, and the Rules for Whistleblower Cases.  In accordance with Seattle City Council Ordinance 123899, the amendments to the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure are intended to address typographical errors in the current version of the rules, and to modify Hearing Examiner procedures with regard to HER 3.15 (Expected Conduct), 3.16 (Appearance of Fairness), 3.17 (Motions), 5.04 (Dismissal), 5.19 (Hearing Examiner’s Decision), and 5.20 (Record).  The amendments to the Rules for Discrimination Cases and the Rules for Whistleblower Cases are intended to make these rules consistent where appropriate with the current version of the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure and with the new amendments proposed for the later.  A copy of the proposed amended Rules is available at the Office of Hearing Examiner website Hearing Examiner - Hearing Examiner | seattle.gov, or by calling (206) 684-0521.  Written comments on the proposed revisions may be submitted no later than July 2, 2025 as follows:  by mail to Office of Hearing Examiner, PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124; or by email to hearing.examiner@seattle.gov.  A public hearing, to receive comments on the proposed amendments, will be held at 1 PM July 2, 2025.  Attendance at the public hearing may either be in person at 700 5th Ave, Suite 4000, Seattle, WA, 98104, or by remote attendance via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82656951688).

·         Draft Rules for Discrimination Cases- Redlined

·         Draft Rules for Discrimination Cases-Clean

·         Draft Rules for Whistleblower Cases- Redlined

·         Draft Rules for Whistleblower Cases- Clean

·         Draft Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure- Redlined

·         Draft Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure- Clean

Interpreter Services

The Office of Hearing Examiner provides interpreter services, free of charge to limited English proficient (LEP) persons. Please call (206) 684-0521 for the following languages:  Hay intérpretes disponibles;  통역사 이용 가능.전화 문의;  Turjumaano ayaa diyaar ah;  Mayroong mga interpreter;  Có sẵn thông dịch viên;  可提供口译员服务;  提供口譯員服務