Customer Service Support
You can submit applications for all our permit types through the Seattle Services Portal.
For customers who need language assistance or technical coaching, visit our Permitting Customer Service Support page for more details.
About the Program
The Commercial E-cargo Bike Program offers Seattle businesses a new, efficient, and cost-effective way to make deliveries!
E-cargo bikes are sustainable vehicles that can replace cars, vans, and trucks. These zero-emission vehicles can reduce delivery costs, cut through traffic and congestion, and support your company’s and our city's sustainability goals.
To encourage the use of e-cargo bikes, we created a program to allow commercial e-cargo bikes to operate, deliver goods, and safely travel and park throughout the city. With a Commercial E-Cargo Bike permit, businesses can:
- operate commercial e-cargo bikes and travel in roadways and protected bike lanes
- park in curbside loading and parking spaces, where allowed
- receive personalized support and guidance from SDOT staff
If you're ready to apply, please read below, starting with "What to Know Before Applying" for important application and permit information.
We want to hear from you!
Are you a local business or freight partner interested in learning about options to decarbonize deliveries? Are you interested in our program, but don’t know where to start? Have an idea to work with us? Reach out to us at dot_ecargobikes@seattle.gov for more information.
What to Know Before Applying
Applicants should have a current City of Seattle business license.
- E-cargo bikes can have 2, 3, or 4 wheels.
- E-cargo bikes can be no wider than 48”.
- E-cargo bikes must have operable pedals with a maximum power output of 750 watts.
- E-cargo bikes can travel in the roadway or protected bike lane network.
- Permitted e-cargo bikes can park in time limited zones and short-term load zones, paid parking areas, Restricted Parking Zones, and unrestricted parking areas.
- Do not park on the sidewalk, unless there is no curbside parking space available.
- In the first year of the program all permit fees will be waived!
- After the first year of the program, the permit fee will be $100 per bike.
How to Apply
1. Seattle business license. You'll need to upload a photo of your current City of Seattle business license.
2. Bike specifications. To make sure your e-cargo bikes fit the city rules, we ask that you provide bike specification sheets of each model you plan to use in your fleet. You can find these from your manufacturer. If you have any questions, let us know!
1. Visit the Seattle Services Portal.
2. Log in to your existing account or create a new account.
3. Under “Create New,” click “Commercial E-cargo Bike Permit” and click “Continue Application”
4. Follow instructions in the application. If you need help with help with the online application, please email trafficpermitsinfo@seattle.gov. (If you have questions about the program, please contact dot_ecargobikes@seattle.gov.)
What happens after my permits are approved?
Temporary permit(s): After your permit application is approved and issued, you will receive a temporary paper permit to print out and use until your permanent permit plates arrive in the mail. The paper permit should be prominently displayed on the bike; it may be helpful to insert the permit into a plastic sleeve to protect it from weather.
Permanent permits: Your permanent bike plates should arrive in the mail in about two weeks. Once they arrive, please attach them to the e-cargo bikes in your fleet.
Participating businesses are required to provide data biannually about packages delivered and miles traveled. This information will help us understand how the program is performing and assist participants.