Seattle Newcomer's Guide

Temporary no-parking zones

If you need a permit to place a moving portable storage container or park a moving van, contact the Seattle Department of Transportation at 206-684-5253 or visit SDOT's temporary no-parking permits page.

Portable storage unit

If you need a portable storage unit, find information in SDOT's client assistance memo No. 2118, "Moving/Storage Containers and Residential Dumpsters."

Electricity

Seattle City Light
206-684-3000
Website: //www.seattle.gov/light

Natural Gas

Puget Sound Energy
888-225-5773
Website: http://www.pse.com

Water, Sewer, Garbage

Seattle Public Utilities
206-684-3000
Website: //www.seattle.gov/util

Telephone

Internet Service Providers

Cable Television/Satellite

King County Metro

Metro operates a fleet of about 1,300 vehicles – including standard and articulated coaches, electric trolleys, dual-powered buses, hybrid diesel-electric buses and streetcars – that serves an annual ridership of 100 million within a 2,134-square-mile area.

King County Metro's mission is to provide the best possible public transit services that get people on the bus and improve regional mobility and the quality of life in King County.

To access or subscribe to rider alerts, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/alerts/index.html.

Trip Planner

The Trip Planner provides information for public transit in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, including Sound Transit's regional express bus routes, Sounder commuter rail, Washington state ferries and the Seattle Center monorail.

Metro Bus Tracker

The Metro Bus Tracker provides real-time bus information for a specific timepoint or geographic area. Unlike traditional bus schedules, the Metro Bus Tracker lets you see and track the actual status of your bus, so you know when your ride is really coming. Instead of waiting at the bus stop, use the Metro Bus Tracker to help you spend your time the way you want to – running another errand, finishing up another project or simply waiting inside.

Sound Transit

The agency's mission is to plan, build and operate regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for central Puget Sound. The system includes high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane access improvements, ST express bus routes, Sounder commuter rail, Link light rail and new park-and-ride lots and transit centers.

Be prepared for emergencies – use the online Trip Planner and note your options for your regular commute. Subscribe to Sound Transit's email and/or text alert system or, for recorded rider alerts, keep Sound Transit's rider information number handy: 1-888-889-6368.

The City of Seattle offers information on education, schools and learning at www.seattle.gov/services-and-information/education-schools-and-learning. Other education resource information is listed below.

WorkSource Washington

WorkSource Washington is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington. Services for job seekers include free use of computers, copiers, phones, etc.; Internet access to jobs; job referral and placement; workshops on getting and keeping a job; access to unemployment insurance; translation services and more.

City of Seattle Employment

Visit the Seattle Department of Human Resources website for information about employment opportunities with the City of Seattle.

License your pet

In Seattle, you are required by law to license your cats, dogs, miniature goats and potbellied pigs. A pet license helps reunite you and your pet should he or she become lost. Additionally, the funds from Seattle pet licenses help the Seattle Animal Shelter carry out its lifesaving work. For more information, visit the shelter's pet licensing website, or contact 206-386-4262 or petlicensing@seattle.gov.

Off-Leash Areas

In most of Seattle's parks, you are required to keep your dogs leashed. Seattle Parks and Recreation offers 14 off-leash exceptions. Visit the Parks and Recreation website to learn more about the rules for animals in Seattle parks and for off-leash area locations.

Background

Seattle has a Mayor-Council form of government. From 1911 to 2013, Seattle's nine councilmembers were elected at-large, each representing the entire City. Following a voter-approved charter amendment and starting with the 2015 election, seven councilmembers are elected by district, and two are elected for citywide at-large positions. The City Attorney and Municipal Court judges are also elected offices.

Elected Officials

Seattle Population and Demographics

The Office of Planning and Community Development publishes population and demographic information. Visit the OPCD website to learn more.

Neighborhood Information

The My Neighborhood Map site offers a guide to city services located within your neighborhood.

King County offers lists of helpful, non-emergency numbers for your area, by ZIP code.

Information for Seniors and Adults with Disabilities

The Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens provides programs and referrals to services that support independent living, social and civic engagement and healthy aging to make a positive difference in the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities.

Housing Information

The Seattle Office of Housing builds strong, healthy communities and increases opportunities for people of all income levels to live in our city. The Office of Housing develops policies and manages programs that support affordable housing production.

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections offers information about renting in Seattle, including rules about landlords' and tenants' rights and responsibilities.

Recreation

Seattle Parks and Recreation manages a 6,200-acre park system of 465 parks and extensive natural areas. Parks provides athletic fields, tennis courts, play areas, specialty gardens and more than 25 miles of boulevards and 120 miles of trails. Parks also manages many facilities, including 26 community centers, eight indoor swimming pools, two outdoor (summer) swimming pools, four environmental education centers, two small craft centers, four golf courses, an outdoor stadium and more.

The P-Patch Community Gardening Program, part of the Department of Neighborhoods, oversees 88 P-Patches distributed throughout the city. Community gardeners grow food on 14.9 acres of the land and in addition steward 18.8 acres for the public for a total of 32 acres.

To become a Washington state resident, you must take action that proves you intend to live in the state on more than a temporary or transient basis. For example, you can:

• Obtain a Washington state driver license
• Register to vote
• Maintain a residence for personal use

For more information on becoming a Washington state resident, visit the Access Washington website at http://access.wa.gov.

Visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website for more information about getting a Washington state driver license. You can also call 360-902-3900 (TTY users call 360-664-0116) or email drivers@dol.wa.gov.

You can register to vote through the Washington Office of the Secretary of State or through the Washington Department of Licensing. Please visit either of the state websites for more information.

Seattle Police Department

Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 206-625-5011
Website: www.seattle.gov/police

Seattle Fire Department

Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 206-386-1400
Website: www.seattle.gov/fire

Seattle Office of Emergency Management

General Information: 206-233-5076
Website: www.seattle.gov/emergency-management

Harborview Medical Center

General Information: 206-744-3000
Website: www.uwmedicine.org/harborview