Early Design Guidance Consultations
Early Design Guidance consultations provide an opportunity for customers developing residential or commercial projects that meet the eligibility criteria to ask questions, understand the feasibility of their ideas, and gain insight into City Light’s process for new electric service connections, including technical considerations. Customers can request to set up an Early Design Guidance (EDG) consultation with City Light.
Program Eligibility
This service is currently open to customers whose projects are on parcels that are currently served by underground electric infrastructure, or projects looking to develop three or more units, or projects requesting from 600 amperes up to 4800 amperes at 120/208V or 11000 amperes at 277/480V. Please note that customers cannot have already applied for electric service with City Light.
Before Attending
Before attending an EDG consultation, you should have a working knowledge of all applicable City Light standards and requirements. All discussions during an EDG consultation are guided by and take place within the context of these standards. Please note that an EDG consultation is not a replacement for an accurately completed service connection application.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in an EDG consultation, please email SCL_EarlyDesignGuidance@seattle.gov to request an intake form and schedule an appointment. Consultation appointments are typically on Mondays and Wednesdays and last 45 minutes.
An Early Design Guidance (EDG) consultation is your opportunity to ask questions, understand the feasibility of your electrical design ideas, and gain insight into City Light’s process, including technical considerations. You should request this meeting before you submit an application for electric service connection.
During the EDG, City Light will discuss the possible design ideas, system limitations (if any), and service requirements. Please note that the project information provided is accurate as of the date of the meeting. City Light guidance is subject to change until a formal application for service connection is submitted.
City Light recommends that the following parties attend the EDG:
- Engineering representative
- Construction representative
- Consulting representative
- Electrical consultant or electrician
City Light will have the following staff present at the EDG:
- Engineering representative
- Electrical service representative
- Meeting Facilitator/Planning and Development Specialist
Please request and submit a City Light Early Design Guidance intake form. Anyone can complete this form. However, we recommend that you obtain advice from an engineering or electrical consultant.
You should submit any preliminary designs, site plans, including load calculations or one-line risers, that you would like guidance on. You should also identify the questions you want answers or information on. The more prepared you are, the more value you will find from these consultations.
You are responsible for taking notes during the consultation. Any notes we take do not replace your notes. Your notes will need to be submitted to the meeting administrator within five days of the meeting. Once we review and approve your notes, they become part of the application record. You can submit all approved notes with any future application for electric service.