SDCI Customer Service Options

Most services are available online through our Virtual Applicant Services Center. For customers who need language assistance or technical assistance accessing the Virtual ASC, we have an SDCI information desk on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower. We offer limited access to our offices for scheduled public meetings.

Grading Season Extensions

What Is It?

You need a grading season extension to grade or disturb soil during the rainy season (November 1 to March 31) in a landslide-prone area such as a steep slope, known slide area, or potential slide area. Without an extension, you can only grade from April 1 to October 31.

You also need an extension to grade in the rainy season if we restricted grading when we issued your construction permit. We often limit grading during the rainy season on projects that include a lot of grading even if they are not in a landslide-prone area.

To determine if we restricted grading on your project during the rainy season, look at the special inspection authorization letter that we sent you shortly after we issued your permit. If you see an item called “Monitor Seasonal Grading,” we restricted your project’s grading during the rainy season.

Director’s Rule 26-2015, Grading Season Extension

Special Inspections

How Much Does It Cost?

When you apply for a grading season extension, you pay for one hour of review time. Before you apply, check your special inspection authorization letter to see if you need a grading season extension because we do not issue refunds.

We review most applications in one hour. If we need more time, we charge you at our hourly rate.

Fee Subtitle

How Long Does It Take?

We try to approve your grading season extension application within two weeks.

Steps to Get an Extension

Look for “Monitor Seasonal Grading” on your special inspection authorization letter to see if you need to apply for a grading season extension.

Complete an electronic grading season extension application using the Seattle Services Portal. We accept applications for a grading season extension on or after October 1 of each year. Do not submit your application if we haven’t issued your construction permit.

You need to pay for the first hour of review when you submit your application. If you set up your SDCI Project portal account to receive email notifications, you will be told when you need to pay your fees.
- Director’s Rule 26-2015, Grading Season Extension
- Tip 327A, Environmentally Critical Areas Exemptions, Relief from Prohibition on Steep Slope Development, and Modifications to Submittal Requirements — Application Instructions and Submittal Requirements
Your application must include:
- An application form signed by the owner, contractor, and geotechnical engineer
- A site plan showing where grading will occur and measures to control stormwater runoff from the site
- A construction schedule
- A signed letter from the geotechnical engineer of record that:
  - Approves the proposed site plan and schedule
  - Confirms that there will be no adverse impacts to the environmentally critical area , the site, or neighboring properties from grading during the rainy season
  - Recommends how to safely complete the work during the rainy season
Follow the conditions we set for grading during the rainy season. If we approve your application, we send you a letter with the conditions you need to follow.
Hold a construction meeting with the owner, contractor, geotechnical engineer, and SDCI site development inspector to discuss grading during the rainy season and the conditions we set.