City Light owns and maintains numerous properties and property rights throughout our service territory and across the region to ensure the safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible delivery of electricity to meet our customers' needs today and for the future.
Property Management
We own and manage real estate used for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, substation operation, communication, environmental conservation, and other operations required for the safe and reliable delivery of our services and to ensure we meet city, state, and federal regulations. Our property management responsibilities include:
- City Light owned property
- Right of way
- Easements
- Historical properties, including the Georgetown Steam Plant
- Conservation of land related to our operations, including our hydro projects
Questions about our real estate property management policies? Contact us or view our Real Estate Public Policies and our Real Property Use Guidelines.
Problems or issues related to City Light property within the city of Seattle can be reported online. For issues related to City Light property in other cities, please contact the appropriate local jurisdiction.
Property Use and Permitting
Occasionally we allow for incidental use of our property if the use does not interfere with utility operations or create a safety hazard.
City Light has many easements as part of its real estate portfolio. If your property has a City Light easement please contact us to discuss compatible uses.
Much of our fish and wildlife conservation lands are open for non-motorized public recreation such as hiking, hunting, fishing, wildlife-watching, and canoeing. View our policy on public use of these lands for more information.
Contact us to request short term use of our property, discuss easement uses, or ask questions about conservation land use.
Property Acquisition and Sales
City Light acquires property, rights of way, and easements necessary for power distribution, utility improvement projects, and environmental conservation.
Current solicitations to purchase: There are no solicitations at this time.
Occasionally property that is no longer required for utility operations may be declared surplus. Properties are listed at fair market value as is required by Washington State law regarding the sale of public utility owned property.
Current surplus listings: There are no listings at this time.
Encroachment Management
Encroachments on City Light property create hazards for our employees, customers and communities. Encroachments also jeopardize the safe and reliable delivery of electricity. If you have questions about potential encroachments or would like more information, please contact us.