Capitol Hill Moving Guide
Walk-ups, street parking nightmares, and narrow stairways — Capitol Hill moves are a different beast. Here's how to handle it like a pro.
Capitol Hill is one of Seattle's most popular neighborhoods — vibrant, walkable, full of character. It's also one of the hardest places in the city to move in or out of.
Between the century-old walk-up apartments, streets packed bumper-to-bumper, and buildings that were never designed for a moving truck, Cap Hill moves require a crew that knows what they're doing. As someone who works in the moving industry, I've seen crews struggle in this neighborhood — and I've seen crews nail it. The difference comes down to preparation.
Why Moving in Capitol Hill Is Different
Old Buildings
Many apartments are pre-war walk-ups with no elevators, narrow hallways, and tight stairwells. Furniture that fit through a suburban front door may not fit through a 1920s apartment entry.
Brutal Parking
RPZ zones everywhere. Street parking is a war zone. Getting a 26-foot truck within 50 feet of your front door is a genuine challenge on many Capitol Hill blocks.
Tight Spaces
Narrow stairways, sharp landings, low ceilings in basements. Movers need to angle, pivot, and sometimes remove doors from hinges to get furniture through.
Hills
Capitol Hill earned its name. Some streets have serious grades that affect truck parking and make carrying heavy furniture up (or down) a real physical challenge.
The 5 Biggest Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
1. Walk-Up Apartments With No Elevator
A huge percentage of Capitol Hill apartments are 3rd and 4th floor walk-ups in older buildings. No elevator, narrow stairways, and landings that require 90-degree turns with a couch.
How to handle it: Tell your movers the exact floor number and whether there's an elevator when getting a quote. Expect to pay more for walk-up moves — most companies charge an extra $25–$75 per flight of stairs, or factor it into a higher hourly estimate. Ask specifically if their crew has walk-up experience. A crew that's done 100 Cap Hill moves will be twice as fast as one that hasn't.
2. Street Parking for the Truck
Many Capitol Hill streets have RPZ parking, no-parking zones during rush hour, and zero open spots on a typical day. If the truck can't park near your building, the crew has to carry everything farther — which means more time and more money.
How to handle it: Get temporary No Parking signs from SDOT ($37 each). You need at least two signs to reserve enough space for a moving truck. Apply at least 72 hours before your move at seattle.gov/transportation. Place them the day before. This one step can save you $100–$300 in extra hourly charges.
3. Furniture That Doesn't Fit
That king-size bed frame or sectional couch you bought for your last apartment? It might not make it up a Capitol Hill stairway. Old buildings have narrower doorways and tighter turns than modern construction.
How to handle it: Measure your stairway width, doorway height, and any tight turns before moving day. Disassemble everything you can — bed frames, tables, shelving. Experienced movers know how to angle, tilt, and remove doors from hinges. But some pieces genuinely won't fit. Better to know that before moving day than during.
4. Move-In/Move-Out Timing Conflicts
Capitol Hill's rental market is competitive. Leases often start on the 1st or 15th, meaning half the neighborhood is trying to move on the same day. Building hallways get congested, street parking disappears, and movers are booked solid.
How to handle it: If possible, avoid moving on the 1st or 15th of the month. A move on the 2nd or 3rd is dramatically easier. If your lease forces the 1st, book early (6+ weeks ahead) and start as early as your building allows — ideally 7-8 AM before the chaos begins.
5. Wall and Floor Damage Risk
Narrow hallways + heavy furniture = high risk for wall damage. And in a rental, wall damage means losing part of your security deposit. Old plaster walls are especially vulnerable.
How to handle it: Insist that movers use door jamb protectors, corner guards, and floor runners. Good crews do this automatically. If they don't bring protection, that tells you everything about how the rest of the move will go. Take photos of walls and floors before anything moves — for both your old and new place.
Capitol Hill Building Types & What to Expect
🏚️ Pre-War Walk-Ups (1900s–1940s)
The most common building type on the Hill. Typically 3–4 stories, no elevator, original hardwood floors, narrow stairways with sharp landings. Charming to live in, challenging to move into.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High) — Stairs, tight turns, fragile walls. Expect the move to take 30–60% longer than a ground-floor apartment.
🏢 Mid-Rise Apartments (1960s–1990s)
Usually 4–6 stories with an elevator (sometimes tiny). Wider hallways than pre-war buildings but parking structures that limit truck access.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium) — Elevator helps, but you may need to reserve it. Check if the freight elevator is different from the passenger elevator.
🏗️ New Construction (2010s–Present)
Modern buildings along Pike/Pine, Broadway, and 12th Ave. Freight elevators, loading docks, wider hallways. The easiest to move into — but often have strict move-in windows and require advance reservations.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium) — Logistics are better, but building rules add paperwork. Book your loading dock time early.
🏠 Houses & Duplexes
Scattered throughout the residential parts of the Hill (especially east of 15th Ave). Usually have direct door access and driveway/yard space for the truck.
Moving difficulty: ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium) — Easier truck access, but steep driveways and basement units can add complexity.
Moving to or From Capitol Hill?
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🅿️ Parking & Truck Access — The Real Guide
Parking is the #1 headache for Capitol Hill moves. Here's the complete breakdown:
Get SDOT Temporary No Parking Signs
Apply at seattle.gov/transportation at least 72 hours before your move. Cost: $37 per sign (you need 2-3 for a moving truck length). Post them the day before your move. This is the single most important thing you can do for a Capitol Hill move.
RPZ Zones Cover Most of Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill is in RPZ Area 3. Without a permit, you can only park for 2 hours on most streets. Your moving truck won't have a permit, so the temporary No Parking signs are essential — they override the RPZ restrictions in your reserved space.
Worst Streets for Truck Access
Some Capitol Hill streets are functionally impossible for large moving trucks due to narrow width, steep grade, or heavy parking on both sides. If your street is tight, mention it when getting quotes — some companies bring smaller trucks that handle narrow streets better. It may require an extra trip but saves the headache of a stuck truck.
🔧 Insider tip: Schedule your move for early morning (7-8 AM) on a weekday. Streets are emptier, parking enforcement hasn't started, and the crew can work faster without pedestrian/traffic interference. Saturday moves on Capitol Hill are parking nightmares.
Insider Tips for a Smooth Capitol Hill Move
Measure your stairway before buying or moving furniture
Seriously. Measure the width of the stairway, the height of doorframes, and the turning radius at each landing. A tape measure and 5 minutes can save you hours of frustration on moving day.
Disassemble everything you possibly can
Bed frames, dining tables, desks, bookshelves — take them apart. Bag and label the hardware. A disassembled bed frame goes up a narrow stairway in 2 minutes. An assembled one might not go up at all.
Tell your movers the exact floor and building situation upfront
Don't surprise them on moving day with '4th floor walk-up, no elevator, parking two blocks away.' This affects their quote, crew size, and equipment. Be transparent and you'll get an accurate estimate.
Reserve the elevator if your building has one
Even a slow, tiny elevator beats carrying a dresser up 4 flights. Most buildings require 48-72 hours notice. Some hold a refundable deposit ($200-500). Don't skip this.
Protect the hardwood floors
Many Capitol Hill apartments have original hardwood. One scratch from a couch leg can cost you $200-500 out of your deposit. Insist on floor runners from door to truck. Felt pads on furniture legs are cheap insurance.
Have a backup parking plan
Even with No Parking signs, someone might ignore them (it happens). Have your mover's number ready to coordinate in real-time. Know where the nearest legal parking spots or alleys are as a backup.
What a Capitol Hill Move Actually Costs
Capitol Hill moves typically cost more than average Seattle moves due to stairs, parking challenges, and older buildings. Here's what to expect:
| Move Type | Estimated Cost | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (walk-up) | $400–$700 | 2–3 hours |
| 1-Bedroom (walk-up) | $600–$1,000 | 3–4 hours |
| 2-Bedroom (walk-up) | $900–$1,500 | 4–6 hours |
| 1-Bedroom (elevator building) | $500–$800 | 2–3 hours |
| 2-Bedroom (elevator building) | $750–$1,200 | 3–5 hours |
Note: These are estimates for local Capitol Hill moves (within Seattle). Add $25–$75 per flight of stairs for walk-ups. SDOT parking signs ($37 each) are an additional out-of-pocket cost but save you money on hourly charges. For detailed pricing across all of Seattle, see our complete cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do movers charge extra for Capitol Hill walk-ups?▼
Most do — typically $25–$75 per flight of stairs. Some factor it into a higher hourly rate instead. Always disclose your floor number and building situation when getting a quote so the estimate is accurate.
How do I reserve street parking for a moving truck on Capitol Hill?▼
Apply for temporary No Parking signs through SDOT at seattle.gov/transportation. You need to apply at least 72 hours in advance. Signs cost $37 each — get 2-3 to cover the truck length. Post them the day before your move.
What's the best day and time to move on Capitol Hill?▼
Tuesday through Thursday, starting at 7-8 AM. Streets are emptier, parking is easier, and movers are less booked. Avoid the 1st and 15th of the month when half the neighborhood is moving. Saturday moves are the hardest due to parking and crowds.
My couch doesn't fit up the stairs. What do I do?▼
Experienced movers can often get furniture through tight spaces by removing doors from hinges, tilting at specific angles, or disassembling pieces. If it truly won't fit, some buildings allow hoisting through windows (rare but possible). Worst case, you may need to sell it and buy something that fits.
Should I get a smaller truck for Capitol Hill?▼
Sometimes, yes. A 16-foot truck navigates Capitol Hill streets much better than a 26-footer. The trade-off is potentially needing two trips. Ask your movers — experienced Capitol Hill crews know which truck size works best for your specific block.
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Written by the SeattleMoversGuide team
Local moving industry professionals who've done hundreds of Capitol Hill moves. We know every building type, every parking headache, and every stairway trick in the neighborhood.