Chapter 11.05
ROAD STANDARDS

Sections:

11.05.010    Appointment of King County as agent for roads maintenance services.

11.05.020    Load restrictions on roads.

11.05.030    Load limits on bridges.

11.05.040    Standard specifications for road and bridge construction.

11.05.050    Road construction rules.

11.05.060    Rights-of-way.

11.05.070    Permit systems for City property.

11.05.080    Installation of public benches.

11.05.090    Road vacation.

11.05.100    City road standards.

11.05.108    Private streets.

11.05.110    Utilities on City rights-of-way.

11.05.115    Dedication of right-of-way.

11.05.118    Dedication of private roads as public streets.

11.05.120    Public and private utilities on City real property.

11.05.130    Snow emergency routes.

11.05.140    Sidewalks, planting strips and street trees.

11.05.150    Nonmotorized vehicle program.

11.05.160    Enforcement.

11.05.170    Variances.

11.05.180    Temporary closure of roads and reduction of speed limits.

11.05.900    Violations – Penalty.

11.05.010 Appointment of King County as agent for roads maintenance services.

Pursuant to Interlocal Agreement, King County is hereby designated as agent for the City with full authority to perform roads and traffic maintenance services within the City limits. A copy of the said Interlocal Agreement shall be available in the office of the City Clerk for use and examination by the public. (Ord. 90-1013 § 1)

11.05.020 Load restrictions on roads.

The following sections of Chapter 14.12 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.12.010    Road closure policy.

14.12.020    Winter and emergency load restrictions.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 2)

11.05.030 Load limits on bridges.

The following sections of Chapter 14.16 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.16.010    Gross weight allowed and notification.

14.16.020    Maximum gross vehicle weight.

14.16.180    Severability.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 3)

11.05.040 Standard specifications for road and bridge construction.

The 2016 Edition of the Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction, published by the American Public Works Association and the Washington State Department of Transportation, as presently existing or as may subsequently be amended, is hereby adopted by reference. Amendments to requirements outlined in the WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction are documented in the City of SeaTac Addendum to Road Standards document. (Ord. 16-1021 § 1 (Appx. A) (part): Ord. 91-1018 § 1: Ord. 90-1013 § 4)

11.05.050 Road construction rules.

The King County Road Construction Rules, as authorized by Section 14.24.010 of the King County Code, are adopted by reference as the City road construction rules, except Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 2.04 thereof, which are hereby replaced with the City’s standards for urban public streets promulgated by the City Department of Public Works. Amendments to requirements outlined in the King County Road Standards are documented in the City of SeaTac Addendum to Road Standards document. The Department of Public Works shall print copies of the City standards, and subsequent revisions and additions thereto, and make the same available to anyone proposing to do work on City rights-of-way. The Department shall also prepare and periodically update a City bonding schedule for use in determining appropriate construction, maintenance or restoration bonds for road and drainage facilities developed in compliance with the adopted standards. (Ord. 16-1021 § 1 (Appx. A) (part): Ord. 91-1039 § 1: Ord. 90-1013 § 5)

11.05.060 Rights-of-way.

Repealed by Ord. 96-1022. (Ord. 90-1013 § 6)

11.05.070 Permit systems for City property.

The following sections of Chapter 14.30 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.30.010    Definitions.

14.30.020    Permit requirement.

14.30.025    Inspection fee.

14.30.030    Permit issuance.

14.30.040    Liability.

14.30.050    Additional requirements.

14.30.060    Fee.

14.30.070    Interpretation.

14.30.090    Severability.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 7)

11.05.080 Installation of public benches.

Repealed by Ord. 96-1022. (Ord. 90-1013 § 8)

11.05.090 Road vacation.

The provisions of Chapter 35.79 RCW, and the procedures set forth therein, shall control, regarding the vacation of any City streets, roads or rights-of-way. (Ord. 94-1045 § 1; Ord. 90-1013 § 9)

11.05.100 City road standards.

The following sections of Chapter 14.42 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.42.010    Adoption.

14.42.030    Applicability.

14.42.040    Developments.

The City has developed a City of SeaTac Addendum to Road Standards document that amends the WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge and Municipal Construction and the King County Road Standards and includes City-specific requirements. (Ord. 20-1019 § 1; Ord. 16-1021 § 1 (Appx. A) (part): Ord. 90-1013 § 10)

11.05.108 Private streets.

A. Any private street that is permitted shall at a minimum comply with the City’s Transportation Plan, stormwater management per SMC 12.10.010 and International Fire Code.

B. All private streets shall be designed to minimize impervious surface coverage, where feasible.

C. Where any short subdivision or binding site plan comprises three (3) or more lots, and where any two (2) or more of those lots must be served by one (1) or more private roads, all such roads shall be identified by a sign portraying their name and indicating private ownership.

1. The City shall install each required sign.

2. The owner(s) of the subject property shall pay a sum to the City for each sign. That sum shall be set forth in the City’s fee schedule.

3. The sign fee shall be paid in addition to any other applicable fee and shall be paid prior to the approval of the affected subdivision or binding site plan. (Ord. 20-1019 § 8; Ord. 18-1008 § 1; Ord. 16-1022 § 1 (Exh. B); Ord. 09-1012 § 1 (Exh. A). Formerly 14.27.030)

11.05.110 Utilities on City rights-of-way.

Repealed by Ord. 96-1022. (Ord. 90-1013 § 11)

11.05.115 Dedication of right-of-way.

A. As provided in RCW 82.02.020, dedication of right-of-way may be required as a condition of development approval in order to incorporate improvements that are reasonably necessary to mitigate the direct impacts of the proposed development and/or accommodate construction of required frontage improvements. Improvements that may require a dedication of right-of-way include but are not limited to:

1. Motorized and non-motorized transportation facilities including but not limited to bicycle lanes, street lighting, and traffic control devices;

2. Off-site improvements where the existing right-of-way is not adequate;

3. The extension of existing or future public street improvements; or

4. Planned improvements identified in City’s Transportation Master Plan, six (6) year transportation improvement plan, or the Comprehensive Plan;

B. Any right-of-way dedication required by this chapter shall occur prior to the earlier of:

1. Issuance of a certificate of occupancy (including any phased occupancy);

2. Finalization of the development permit that necessitated the dedication; or

3. The time of recording the subdivision, short subdivision, or binding site plan (if applicable).

C. When any right-of-way dedication is required by this chapter, the applicant shall submit to the City any documentation necessary to effectuate the dedication as required by the Director. Such documentation may include but is not limited to a legal description of the dedication prepared and certified by a licensed professional and a graphic exhibit depicting the dedication. (Ord. 20-1019 § 5)

11.05.118 Dedication of private roads as public streets.

A. The Director has discretion to approve the City’s acceptance of a private road, subject to City Council concurrence, based upon the following:

1. The private road meets all public street design and construction standards;

2. Acceptability of road and public utilities construction, including pavement condition;

3. Condition of title is acceptable to the Director;

4. Survey monumentation is acceptable to the Director;

5. Consideration of maintenance costs is acceptable to the Director; and

6. There is a demonstrated public benefit. (Ord. 20-1019 § 6)

11.05.120 Public and private utilities on City real property.

The following sections of Chapter 14.46 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.46.010    Purpose.

14.46.020    Permit – Required – Exceptions.

14.46.030    Permit – Issuance authority – Use.

14.46.040    Permit – Privilege limitations.

14.46.050    Permit – Compliance with applicable provisions.

14.46.060    Permit – Terms and conditions.

14.46.070    Permit – Application – Required information.

14.46.080    Permit – Application and inspection fee.

14.46.090    Review and certification by agencies.

14.46.100    Bond requirements.

14.46.110    Notice of proposed use and commencement – Departmental coordination of permit approval.

14.46.120    Notice to agencies of construction date.

14.46.130    Permit revocation.

14.46.140    Termination of privileges – Assessment.

14.46.160    Rights reserved to County – Conformance and payment of cost required.

14.46.170    Rules and regulations promulgation.

14.46.180    Severability.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 12)

11.05.130 Snow emergency routes.

The following sections of Chapter 14.48 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.48.010    Designation.

14.48.020    Publication.

14.48.030    Snow emergency – Declaration authority – News bulletin.

14.48.040    Coordination of snow removal activities with other jurisdiction.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 13)

11.05.140 Sidewalks, planting strips and street trees.

The following sections of Chapter 14.52 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.52.010    Definitions.

14.52.020    Sidewalk – Repair determination – Responsibility and costs.

14.52.030    Sidewalk – Notice to repair – Cost assessment.

14.52.040    Planting strip maintenance.

14.52.050    Sidewalk – Snow, ice and trash removal required when.

14.52.070    Exemption from Sections     14.52.040 and 14.52.050 permitted when.

14.52.080    Street trees and plantings – Trimming limitations – Removal prohibited.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 14)

11.05.150 Nonmotorized vehicle program.

The following sections of Chapter 14.56 King County Code as now in effect, and as may be subsequently amended, are hereby adopted by reference, except that, unless the context indicates otherwise, the word “County” and the words “King County” shall refer to the City:

14.56.010    Findings and declaration of purpose.

14.56.020    Program established.

14.56.030    Coordinator – Duties and responsibilities.

14.56.040    Nonmotorized vehicle advisory committee.

(Ord. 90-1013 § 15)

11.05.160 Enforcement.

When King County provides engineering and administrative services for the City, pursuant to Interlocal Agreement, the County Road Engineer may exercise all of the powers and perform all of the duties vested by law or by resolution in the City Engineer or other officer or department charged with street administration and maintenance. In addition, the City Manager, City Police and the County Department of Public Safety are authorized to enforce all provisions of this chapter and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The City Manager is authorized to delegate enforcement authority to the Director of the Department of Public Works, the Code Enforcement Officer, and Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, who shall enforce this chapter pursuant to Chapter 1.15 SMC. (Ord. 11-1002 § 2 (part); Ord. 01-1006 § 5: Ord. 90-1013 § 16)

11.05.170 Variances.

A. An engineering variance to deviate from these standards may be granted by the Director upon satisfying the following minimum criteria which must be shown to be based on sound engineering principles:

1. The application for a variance clearly indicates those sections of the standards which are relevant to the proposed alternative, together with a clear explanation of how the requested variance meets the essential elements and intent of these standards.

2. The application for a variance includes a specific description of the proposed alternative to the standards along with supporting documentation sufficient for the Director to make a determination as to whether the variance should be granted.

3. The variance is not contrary to the public interest.

4. Under the circumstances, compliance with the standards from which the variance is sought is not feasible.

5. The requested variance will not compromise safety, function, fire protection, transit needs, appearance and maintainability.

6. The requested variance complies with requirements of the International Fire Code and any other applicable codes. (Ord. 20-1019 § 7)

11.05.180 Temporary closure of roads and reduction of speed limits.

Whenever the condition of any street, road, or highway, either newly or previously constructed, altered, repaired, or improved, or any part thereof is such that for any reason its unrestricted use or continued use by vehicles or by any class of vehicles will greatly damage that street, road, or highway, or will be dangerous to traffic, or it is being constructed, altered, repaired, improved, or maintained in such a manner as to require that use of the street, road, or highway, or any portion thereof be closed or restricted as to all vehicles or any class of vehicles for any period of time, the Public Works Director or designee is authorized, subject to the provisions of RCW 47.48.020, to close the street, road, or highway, as the case may be, to travel by all vehicles or by any class of vehicles, or may declare a lower maximum speed for any class of vehicles, for such a definite period as it shall determine; provided action taken under this section in cases involving state highways shall be subject to any required approval by the Washington State Secretary of Transportation. The Public Works Director or designee shall ensure that the locations of any closure or lowered maximum speed are posted with signs in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices referenced in the City road standards adopted pursuant to SMC 11.05.100. (Ord. 20-1021 § 1)

11.05.900 Violations – Penalty.

Any person or entity who violates or fails to comply with any requirement of this chapter shall be subject to code enforcement action pursuant to Chapter 1.15 SMC. (Ord. 01-1006 § 5: Ord. 90-1013 § 17)