Seattle (Wash.). Office of the Hearing Examiner

The Office of the Hearing Examiner is an independent office of the City that conducts administrative hearings, when authorized by the Seattle Municipal Code, to review the actions of various City departments. The office was created in 1973 and was part of the Municipal Courts until 1977 when it became an independent office. The Hearing Examiner is appointed by the City Council to serve an initial term of one year and subsequent terms of four years.

The Municipal Code grants the Hearing Examiner jurisdiction in more than 75 different types of matters. The majority of cases are appeals of decisions made by other City agencies, such as the Department of Planning and Development (Master Use Permits, SEPA determinations, Code Interpretations, Land Use and Noise Enforcement Citations and decisions on tenant relocation assistance); the Department of Finance (tax assessments); the Landmarks Preservation Board and Special Purpose District Commissions (decisions on certificates of approval for alterations); the Department of Executive Administration (licensing decisions); and the Department of Transportation (right-of-way use).

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