SIP Lite

Overview

If your project includes minor street improvements, you may qualify for a Street Improvement Permit (SIP) Lite. This permit speeds up review for improvements under 2,000 square feet. SIP Lite helps move your small-scale project forward quickly. 

You can save time because the SIP Lite permit skips the 30% and 60% design reviews. Beginning in May 2026, you can choose from two different use types. 

You no longer need 60 % approval before submitting your Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) permit. We can now review your project at the same time. 

Curb Ramps Only type: This SIP Lite is only for curb ramp review and approval. Choose this option for projects focused solely on curb ramps.  

This option is only for these street improvements: 

• Adding curb ramps at intersections as required by land use code
• Adding curb ramps for restoration as required by the Right-of-Way Opening and Restoration Rule (ROWORR)

Project Based type: Use this option if you have small street improvements, under 2,000 square feet, in one permit. You can combine work like sidewalks, driveways or similar changes.  

This type supports projects with several related improvements. 

• Dedicating and widening existing paved alleys by more than 2 feet.
• Adding a new curb and sidewalk next to an existing curb and sidewalk on the same block.
• Making street improvements required by land use code that are under 2,000 square feet (such as curb ramps, sidewalks, driveways).
• Making alley improvements required by land use code that are under 2,000 square feet of hard surface (including new crushed rock, asphalt, or concrete). 

When You Will Need a Different Permit 

You must: 

• Apply for a standard Street Improvement Permit if your project requires more than 2,000 square feet of new or replaced hard surface in the right-of-way. 
• Use the Utility Major Permit process for curb ramps triggered by utility relocations or work performed by a utility service provider. 

Review Cycle and Coordination Notes 

• Initial review: Your project will route directly to a 90% formal review. A project manager will verify your eligibility. If the project does not meet the requirements it will not be routed for review.  Once eligible, the formal review period takes six weeks. 
• Correction cycles: Any subsequent correction cycles will take four weeks until you address all comments. 
• Coordination: SDCI will not issue your construction permit until you submit a SIP Lite application and a 90 %  plan to us. You must complete all right-of-way improvements before SDCI issues a permanent certificate of occupancy. 

Applying for a Permit 

Follow these steps to apply for your permit. Apply early to help avoid delays. Each step is important for a smooth process. 

1. Complete your application: Visit the Seattle Services Portal to fill out the new application. The system will guide you to the correct permit type based on your scope of work. 
2. Submit your plans and checklists: You must provide all required plan information for a streamlined review. Upload your 90 % plans along with your specific checklist (Curb Ramps Only Checklist or Project Based Checklist). Projects improving streets, alleys, or installing new in-fill curbs require a survey, basemap, profile and cross sections. You may also submit optional documents like:
   • An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Maximum Extent Feasible (MEF) form
   • A Preliminary Assessment Report
   • Any presubmittal meeting notes.  
3. Submit your bond and preconstruction materials: After the first formal review, your engineer-of-record must upload the construction cost estimate excel file to the portal. Your project manager will confirm the final bond amount and email you the bond form with instructions. You must email a signed copy of the bond to us at SDOTPermits@seattle.gov for review and approval. Once the Seattle City Attorney’s Office approves the digital copy, mail the original form to:
     
   Seattle Department Transportation, Street Use Division  
   PO Box 34996  
   Suite 2300  
   Seattle, WA 98124-4996
   
   You must also submit all preconstruction materials at the same time in the portal to prompt your review. These include your:
   
   • Certificate of Insurance
   • Traffic Control Plans (if needed)
   • Phase Schedule Manager
   • Request for Approval of Material Sources (RAMS)
     • This should include the mix designs, sieve analysis, and either the cutsheets, or product data, or both for items you will use in the right-of-way.
     • Note: You need to submit separate RAMS for each discipline. Be sure to include its supporting materials. For example:
       • Create one PDF that contains the RAMS for all mix designs, along with the mix designs themselves.
       • Create a second PDF that contains the RAMS for all Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) items, along with their cut sheets.
4. Sign your 100% plans: Once your plans meet all requirements, your project manager will ask your engineer-of-record to submit a clean PDF of the stamped and signed plans. We will send an electronic signature request to anyone who stamped the plans.
5. Pay fees and obtain your permit: After we approve your plan, bond, and preconstruction materials, you must pay the final issuance fee to receive your permit.
6. Schedule a pre-construction meeting: Once we issue your permit, you must request a pre-construction meeting with your project manager. They will schedule the meeting with your contractor, your inspector and other City staff.
7. Provide a job start notification: After the meeting, your contractor must work with the inspectors to schedule an inspection.
8. Submit any amendments:If you need to make design or material changes after permit issuance, you must submit an amendment through the portal.
9. Request a timeline extension: If your permit expires before you finish construction, you must submit an extension amendment throughon the portal.

Resources

• Visit the Seattle Services Portal to start your application.
• Visit our Permitting Forms page to find checklists, ADA forms and templates.
• Visit our Zendesk help center to learn how to give someone access to your record or update contact information.
• Visit our Bond Instructions page for all bond related questions.