Charging an EV without a driveway in Seattle, WA
Short answer: Level 1 cord allowed, no Street Use permit. City Light curbside Level 2 program.
Last updated:
| Sidewalk cord | Cord across sidewalk allowed (official guidance) |
|---|---|
| Curbside program | City Light curbside Level 2 program |
What the official sources say
- SDOT's Client Assistance Memo 2119 lets residents run a Level 1 cord across the sidewalk with no Street Use permit. The cord must cross at a right angle to the sidewalk.
- If the cord and cover are ½ in. tall or less, the cover's ramps can be no steeper than 1:2 and the cover must be at least 4 ft long. Taller covers need ramps no steeper than 1:12 and level landings.
- You can't reserve the curb space. Equipment comes off the sidewalk when you aren't charging, and the outlet has to be on your own utility account.
- Seattle City Light's curbside Level 2 pilot ended in June 2025 with 58 chargers at 31 locations. They charge at 9.6 kW and cost $0.21 per kWh.
- City Light is taking requests for up to 200 new curbside stations during a 12-month window that opens in October 2026. Selections start in January 2027 and installs run through 2030, funded by the $1.55 billion transportation levy.
Home charging costs in Seattle, WA: city page. Other cities: no-driveway hub.
Sources: SDOT – CAM 2119, EV charging cords across the sidewalk (PDF); Seattle City Light – Curbside Level 2 EV charging (accessed 2026-10-25).