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

Re-write of the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure

HER Amendments Public Hearing Schedule

The Office of Hearing Examiner is undertaking a significant re-write of the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure ("HERs") that govern hearings conducted by our Office.  Please see below proposed draft amendments to the HERs and related documents:

Draft of the Hearing Examiner Rules of Practice and Procedure

Draft of the HERs with Proposed Edits Redlined

*If you would like a clean Word copy so you can make your own redline edits or comments, we are happy to send this to you.  Please call or email our office to submit your request.

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