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Right-of-way use permits

Right-of-way (ROW) use permits authorize the use of the King County right-of-way for a designated purpose.

Important information

Keep final plans and permits displayed on-site

Approved building, fire and land use permits must be displayed prominently on construction and development sites. 

Maintaining these records on-site is the responsibility of the applicant and/or contractor.

Limited and extended use permits

A Limited ROW Use Permit is required for construction of all private improvements in the public right-of-way and for all private uses of the public right-of-way for less than one year.

An Extended ROW Use Permit is required for use of the public right-of-way lasting more than one year, for example, for a privately maintained road.

A ROW use permit is not required for direct driveway connections from an adjacent parcel to a maintained King County road. However, connections shall be made in accordance with adopted King County Road Standards.

Legal Authority: Title 14.28 of the King County Code.

Administered by: The Department of Local Services, Permitting Division.

Right-of-Way construction permit

A Right-of-Way Construction Permit is required for utility construction work in the right-of-way and County-owned roads by franchised utilities, telecom providers, and METRO. A Right-of-Way Construction Permit is required to move utility poles or underground utilities in the right-of-way. Typically the utility company, not the property owner, must apply to the Real Estate Services for this permit (Permit and Franchise Unit of the King County Real Estate Services).

Real Estate Services also issues special use permits to install benches or other ROW furniture, or to schedule a block party, parade or other special event in the right-of-way.  King County Permitting does NOT issue Right-of-Way Construction Permits or Special Use Permits.

Cost and timeline

Check the current fee schedule for an estimate of costs

The timeline is 120 days for processing the plan.

Right-of-Way Use Permits

Permit forms, application materials, and resources.


Critical Areas Compliance Affidavit

Form (175KB)


Applicant Status

Individual (1.06MB)

Public Agency, or Public Utility or Private Utility (1.06MB)

Corporation or Business Association (1.05MB)


Declaration of Covenant Re Use and Maintenance of King County Right-of-Way

Information (177KB)


Land Use Permit Application Form

Form (218KB)


Quit Claim Deed for County Right-of-Way

Form (PDF) (47KB)

Form (MS Word) (60KB)


Right-of-Way Use

Bulletin 31 (131KB)


Right-of-Way Use Permit Application Instructions, Application and Site Plan Sheet

Information (203KB)


Right-of-Way Use Permit - Limited: Extension Request

Information (165KB)


SEPA Checklist

Information (212KB)


SEPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Workhsheet (spreadsheet) (211KB)


Road Standards Variances


Critical Areas Compliance Affidavit

Form (175KB)


Applicant Status

Individual (1.06MB)

Public Agency, or Public Utility or Private Utility (1.06MB)

Corporation or Business Association (1.05MB)


Land Use Permit Application Form

Form (218KB)


Road or Drainage Variance Applications: Submittal Instructions

Information (98KB)


Road Standards Variance Request to the County Road Engineer

Information (88KB)


Road Variance

Bulletin 34A (120KB)


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