Last week, Norma Allison, owner of the Ballard Hair Salon on 1708 N.W. Market St, received a letter from the City of Seattle for a violation of the public right of way.

Shiuwen Tai, owner of the neighboring Floating Leaves Tea shop, received the same letter as did the Ballard I.O.O.F. Temple.

The violation refers to the dark green awning that spans across the whole building. Each business received an individual letter stating that they are “required to remove the encroachment or obtain a permit by the appropriate response time.”

Allison said the letter came out of the blue as the awning has been there for years and she never had been asked to apply for a permit in the first place.

“I’m in disbelief. I’m just trying to survive here,” Allison said.

The Annual Renewing Street Use permit will cost her $97 plus the applicable square footage.

“She’s been using the awning for however long and we didn’t know. For some reason it didn’t get caught,” said David Doll, the awning inspector.

When Shiuwen Tai received her letter, she send in the required application, site plan and sign proof and paid the fees.

But Tai, like Allison are merely renting the space from the building owners, the Ballard I.O.O.F lodge. As tenants, they are not responsible for the awning.

When asked why the letters were sent to the business renting the space as opposed to the building owner,
Doll said it’s City policy as businesses are usually the ones posting signage.

“This is not right. They’re getting paid three times for the same awning,” said Lance Jones, building manager and Ballard I.O.O.F temple member.

“We are the business and they are renting from us. Only we are responsible for a permit.”

Jones said in the four years he had been in his position he hadn’t heard about this issue before.

Jones said he will seek a reimbursement for Tai’s payment.

(Click on photo to start slideshow)