Real Property Services

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) owns and maintains properties and property rights throughout King County. These properties support safe, reliable and environmentally responsible essential services for millions of people and our staff need safe and reliable access to our property. Real Property Services works in the following areas:

Property management

We manage:

  • SPU-owned property
  • Rights of way
  • Easements
  • Historical properties
  • Conservation of land related to our operations

Property use and permitting

We may allow incidental use of our property if it does not interfere with utility operations, create a safety hazard and/or create a liability concern. Please see SPU Director’s Rule FIN-220.4 regarding charges for real property services provided by SPU.

  • Encroachments: An encroachment is the unauthorized private use of public land. It may include landscape, structures, equipment and materials, and can compromise our ability to maintain our infrastructure. SPU requires either removal or permitting of encroachments, per SPU Director’s Rule FIN-840. SPU strives to be a good neighbor and seek mutually agreeable solutions to encroachments.
  • Cascade Watershed recreational use: To protect our drinking water, we do not allow unescorted public access to our Cascade watershed in the Cedar and Tolt river basins. However, SPU does allow non-motorized recreational use of our water pipeline corridors and some other park facilities, such as Rattlesnake Lake. To learn more about these facilities, visit our watershed services site.

Property acquisition and sales

SPU acquires property, rights of way, and easements necessary for drainage and wastewater, solid waste, water supply services, utility improvement projects, and environmental conservation. We also occasionally surplus property that is no longer required for utility operations. Properties are listed at fair market value as is required by Washington State law regarding the sale of public utility owned property.

  • Current solicitations to purchase: There are no solicitations at this time.
  • Current surplus listings: There are no listings at this time.

If you have problems or concerns related to SPU property:

Outside the City: Contact the appropriate local jurisdiction.

If you have questions or concerns about:

  • SPU Property within the City of Seattle
  • real estate or property management policies
  • an SPU easement/easement on your property
  • short term use or access across SPU property
  • an encroachment
  • conservation land use

Please contact the SPU Real Property Team, SPU_RealProperty@seattle.gov.

Public Utilities

Andrew Lee, General Manager and CEO
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 4900, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34018, Seattle, WA, 98124-5177
Phone: (206) 684-3000
SPUCustomerService@seattle.gov

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Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is comprised of three major direct-service providing utilities: the Water Utility, the Drainage and Wastewater Utility, and the Solid Waste Utility.