Shoreline Street Ends

Shoreline street ends are precious community assets that thrive through robust community partnerships. Each one tells a different story of Seattle’s cultural and environmental history, and provides everyone the opportunity to experience and enjoy the splendor of Seattle’s shorelines. SDOT’s shoreline street ends program improves public access, protects unique views, enhances habitat, supports maritime industry, and fosters stewardship to create long-lasting community assets.

Much of Seattle’s 200 miles of shoreline along Lake Washington, Lake Union, Puget Sound, and other waterways is either privately-owned or park land. The City of Seattle designated 149 public streets (map) in Seattle that end on waterfronts as special rights of way to be preserved and improved for public use (City Resolution 29370, adopted in September 1996, followed by Ordinance 119673 in 1999). 

SDOT’s Shoreline Street Ends Program prioritizes enhancing public access to these shoreline street ends and permits private uses, in some cases. See SDOT Director’s Rule 12-2015 for more detailed information on program guidelines. See Right-of-Way improvement activities for more information on additional permits that may be required for work.