Chapter 11.20 STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING

Code revisor’s note: This chapter was removed (but not repealed) by Ord. 1848 and was restored to the code by direction of the city during the 8/00 supplement.

11.20.020 Unlawful parking—Areas and conditions.

A. Stopping, standing and parking within the city limits of Centralia shall be in compliance with the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance, as adopted in CMC 11.04.010.

B. Parking time limitations, where indicated by signage and/or striping, on city streets shall apply during the hours of eight a.m. to six p.m. but shall not apply on Saturdays or Sundays or those public holidays enumerated in RCW 1.16.050 unless otherwise posted. (Ord. 2520 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2033 § 1, 1999: Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 860 § 1 (part), 1948).

11.20.022 Camping on roadway prohibited.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to camp, use camping equipment, or use other items or materials for the purpose of sleeping, camping, or permanent or temporary habitation upon a roadway, alley, or publicly owned parking lot.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a motor vehicle, trailer, camper, motor home, or other recreational vehicle for the purpose of camping or permanent or temporary habitation upon a roadway, alley, or publicly owned parking lot.

C. Permanent or temporary habitation may be shown by the presence of items commonly used for cooking, sleeping, or sanitation, the storage or accumulation of personal property, or any other conditions or factors that would lead a reasonable person to believe the location, vehicle, trailer, or equipment is being used as a dwelling or accommodation.

D. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not to exceed seven days, or both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2534 § 6, 2023).

11.20.025 Parking in city-owned lots.

A. No vehicle shall be parked (remain stationary) for more than forty-eight hours in any city-owned or maintained lot. Vehicles may park in the lot daily, but must not occupy a single stall for more than forty-eight hours.

B. All city-owned or maintained lots shall be clearly marked with reference to this section and with towing/storage information to inform the parking lot users of the time limits, prohibitions and location of their vehicle in the event of removal.

C. Vehicles parked in city-owned or maintained lots shall be operational and currently licensed.

D. Prohibitions. No person shall park any vehicle, including utility trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers, motor homes, mobile homes, campers, boats or recreational vehicles, or automobiles, trucks or other vehicles, on a city-owned, maintained or controlled parking facility, or upon other city property within the city limits of Centralia, for the purpose of storing, repairing, or rehabilitating any inoperative vehicle, except repairs, necessitated by an emergency, which can be accomplished within a single twenty-four-hour period.

E. “Inoperative vehicle” is defined as and may include, but is not limited to:

1. Expired license;

2. Flat tires;

3. Body damage that makes vehicle inoperable;

4. Broken windshield that impairs driver’s ability to see;

5. Nonmovement for forty-eight hours or longer.

F. Violations.

1. Upon a report of a vehicle remaining in a city-owned or maintained lot for more than forty-eight hours without being moved or of an inoperative vehicle in a city-owned or maintained parking lot, the Centralia police department or code enforcement officer shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notice.

2. The notice shall contain the following information:

a. The date and time the notice was attached to the vehicle;

b. The identity of the officer;

c. A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within twenty-four hours from the time the notice is attached, the vehicle may be towed and impounded at the owner’s expense. Information regarding the towing company responsible for impound shall be clearly posted in the parking lot;

d. The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.

3. If the vehicle has registration plates, the officer shall check the records to learn the identity of the last owner of record. In the event that there are no plates, the officer will check the vehicle from the outside for a visible vehicle identification number (VIN). The officer or his or her department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner by telephone in order to give the owner the information on the notice.

4. RCW 46.55.120, as now in force or hereafter amended, added to or deleted from, is adopted by reference as part of this chapter and shall govern the process for contesting the validity of an impound.

5. Vehicles parked at the Amtrak station shall be afforded the defense of “travel” if operable vehicles are parked in said lots more than forty-eight hours. Owners of said vehicles would be required to show proof of a valid train ticket for the period of time in question.

G. For the purposes of this chapter a place of safety includes the business location of a registered tow truck operator.

H. Financial Responsibility. The last known registered owner of the vehicle shall be financially responsible for all towing and storage fees in the event that the vehicle necessitates removal from a city-owned or maintained parking lot. (Ord. 2520 § 2, 2022; Ord. 2448 § 1, 2020).

11.20.030 Unlawful parking between two a.m. and five a.m.—Streets designated.

It is unlawful to park motor vehicles on either side of the street between the hours of two a.m. and five a.m. on all days except Sunday where indicated by signage. (Ord. 2520 § 3, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 865 § 1, 1949: Ord. 860 § 1 (part), 1948).

11.20.040 Four-hour parking Monday through Friday from nine a.m. to five p.m.—Streets designated.

Parking of automobiles or other motor vehicles shall be limited to four hours in duration between the hours of nine a.m. and five p.m. Monday through Friday on the portions of streets within the city of Centralia as indicated by signage and/or striping. (Ord. 2520 § 4, 2022; Ord. 2281 § 1, 2012: Ord. 2033 § 2, 1999: Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1356 § 1, 1976; Ord. 1298 § 3, 1972; Ord. 873 § 1, 1949: Ord. 860 § 1 (part), 1948).

11.20.045 Twenty-minute parking—Streets designated.

Parking of automobiles or other motor vehicles shall be limited to twenty minutes on the portions of streets within the city of Centralia as indicated by signage and/or striping. (Ord. 2520 § 5, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1631 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 1988).

11.20.047 Unlawful parking between seven a.m. and four p.m.—Streets designated.

Parking of automobiles or other motor vehicles is prohibited from seven a.m. to four p.m. on the portions of streets within the city of Centralia designated as follows:

East side of Tower Avenue from Oakview Avenue to Burt Avenue. (Ord. 2520 § 6, 2022; Ord. 2048 § 1, 2000).

11.20.048 On-street parking in residential zones.

A. No vehicle shall be parked (remain stationary) for more than forty-eight hours in any zone that allows residential uses within the city. This includes, but is not limited to, R-5A, R:2, R:4, R:8. R:15, R:20, C-3 and LBD zones. Vehicles may park within a residential zone on a city street for no more than one hundred twenty consecutive hours.

B. Vehicles parked on city streets shall be operational and currently licensed.

C. Prohibitions. No person shall park any vehicle, including utility trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers, motor homes, mobile homes, campers, boats or recreational vehicles, or automobiles, trucks or other vehicles, on a city street within the city limits of Centralia, for the purpose of storing, repairing, or rehabilitating any inoperative vehicle, except repairs, necessitated by an emergency, which can be accomplished within a single twenty-four-hour period.

D. “Inoperative vehicle” is defined as and may include, but is not limited to:

1. Expired license;

2. Flat tire(s);

3. Body damage that makes vehicle inoperable;

4. Broken windshield that impairs driver’s ability to see;

5. Nonmovement for one hundred twenty hours or longer.

E. Violations.

1. Upon a report of a vehicle remaining within a residential zone on a city street for one hundred twenty hours or more without being moved or of an inoperative vehicle in a residential zone on a city street, the Centralia police department or code enforcement officer shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notice.

2. The notice shall contain the following information:

a. The date and time the notice was attached to the vehicle;

b. The identity of the officer;

c. A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within forty-eight hours from the time the notice is attached, the vehicle may be towed and impounded at the owner’s expense;

d. The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.

F. For the purposes of this chapter a place of safety includes the business location of a registered tow truck operator.

G. Financial Responsibility. The last known registered owner of the vehicle shall be financially responsible for all towing and storage fees in the event that a vehicle necessitates removal from within a residential zone on a city street. (Ord. 2520 § 7, 2022).

11.20.049 Recreational vehicle parking restrictions.

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to park a camper, motor home, or other recreational vehicle upon any street, alley, or publicly owned parking lot for more than sixteen hours.

B. Moving a camper, motor home, or other recreational vehicle to another parking location upon any street, alley, or publicly owned parking lot within a forty-eight-hour period shall not reset the time limit and shall be considered a continued violation of this section. Each instance the vehicle is parked at a different location shall constitute a separate offense.

C. Unlawfully parked campers, motor homes, and other recreational vehicles may be towed and impounded pursuant to Chapter 46.55 RCW.

D. A violation of this section is a traffic infraction for the first violation and a misdemeanor for the second and subsequent violations within a twelve-month period. Penalties for violations of this section shall be specified in CMC 11.56.050. (Ord. 2534 § 7, 2023).

11.20.050 Parking prohibited—Streets designated.

Parking of automobiles or other motor vehicles is prohibited at all times on the portions of streets within the city of Centralia as indicated by signage and/or striping. (Ord. 2520 § 8, 2022; Ord. 2039 § 1, 1999: Ord. 2033 § 3, 1999: Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1624 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 1988; Ord. 1291 §§ 1, 2, 1972; Ord. 1278 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 1272 § 6, 1971: Ord. 898 § 1, 1950: Ord. 731 § 43, 1937).

11.20.051 Compact car parking restrictions.

Only compact cars may park on the portions of certain streets as indicated by signage and/or striping. (Ord. 2520 § 9, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1624 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1988).

11.20.052 Spaces for handicapped drivers—Need declared.

There is a need for parking spaces to accommodate handicapped drivers, particularly in the Centralia College area. (Ord. 2520 § 10, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 64 (part), 1995: Ord. 1330 § I, 1975).

11.20.054 Spaces for handicapped drivers—Designated.

The city engineer and the chief of police are authorized and directed to establish parking spaces on the streets of Centralia for the exclusive use of handicapped drivers. The spaces so designated may be occupied only by automobiles with a handicapped driver decal and driven by a handicapped driver. The spaces to be designated may be created in any public parking zone within the city of Centralia. Installation of handicapped parking stalls with the right-of-way shall be considered upon request from the adjacent property owner to the city engineer. (Ord. 2520 § 11, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 64, 1995: Ord. 1330 § II, 1975).

11.20.055 Special parking privileges for persons with disabilities—Prohibitions, violations, penalties.

RCW 46.19.050, as now in force or hereafter amended, added to or deleted from, is adopted by reference as part of this title. (Ord. 2520 § 12, 2022; Ord. 2343 § 1, 2014).

11.20.057 Bus stops.

Designated bus stop areas shall be clearly marked by the installation of bus stop signs. The city engineer and the chief of police are authorized and directed to approve bus stop locations as requested by a public transit provider. (Ord. 2520 § 13, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1631 § 1 (Exh. A)(part), 1988).

11.20.058 Stopping for utility payment.

Designated stopping for utility payment areas are as follows:

A. That area located 20 feet south to 51.5 feet south of the south R/W line of Maple Street along the east curb line of Pearl Street. (Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1631 §1 (Exh. A)(part), 1988).

11.20.059 Parking for official cars only—Fire—Police.

Designated parking for official cars only (fire, police) are as follows:

A. Fire. That space located 69.9 feet north to 141.9 feet north of the north R/W line of Center Street along the east curb line of Pearl Street;

B. Police. That area located 51.5 feet south to 97.8 feet south of the south R/W line of Maple Street along the east curb line of Pearl Street. (Ord. 2520 § 14, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1631 §1 (Exh. A) (part), 1988).

11.20.060 North and south through streets designated.

North and south direction streets within the city of Centralia to be designated as through streets shall be established by ordinance. (Ord. 2520 § 15, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1272 §2, 1971: Ord. 1180 §§ 1—7, 1966: Ord. 864 §§ 2, 3, 1949: Ord. 731 § 413, 1937).

11.20.065 East and west through streets designated.

East and west direction streets within the city of Centralia to be designated as through streets shall be established by ordinance. (Ord. 2520 § 16, 2022; Ord. 1848 § 63 (part), 1995: Ord. 1272 § 3, 1971: Ord. 1180 § 1—7, 1966: Ord. 864 §§ 2, 3, 1949: Ord. 731 §43, 1937).

11.20.067 Maximum speed on city streets.

The maximum speed limit for all city streets is established at twenty-five miles per hour except where a lower or greater maximum lawful speed is established by this chapter or by state law. (Ord. 2520 § 17, 2022).

11.20.070 Speed limit on Highway 507.

All of the provisions of the Washington Motor Vehicle Code and including all “rules of the road,” and any amendments to said vehicle code hereafter to be adopted by the state of Washington, and adopted by the city of Centralia in CMC 11.04.010, shall be applicable on that portion of secondary State Highway No. 507 within the city of Centralia; provided, however, that speed limits set forth in this chapter shall be observed on that portion of secondary State Highway No. 507 with the exception of such circumstances or conditions as would indicate a lesser speed as set forth shall be observed. (Ord. 2520 § 18, 2022; Ord. 2128 § 1, 2004).

11.20.080 Speed limit on South Gold Street.

On South Gold Street from Summa Street and continuing southerly on South Gold Street to the south city limits of Centralia, the speed limit shall be indicated by posted speed limit signs with the exception of such circumstances or conditions as would indicate a lesser speed. (Ord. 2520 § 19, 2022; Ord. 2128 § 2, 2004).

11.20.090 Speed limit on Kresky Avenue.

The speed limit on that portion of Kresky Avenue within the city of Centralia shall be indicated by posted speed limit signs. (Ord. 2520 § 20, 2022; Ord. 2128 § 3, 2004).

11.20.092 Speed limits.

A. Increased Speed Limit in Certain Zones. It is determined upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the twenty-five-mile-per- hour speed limit established by state law upon the following streets is less than is necessary for safe operation of vehicles thereon. This is due to the designation and signposting of the streets as collector or arterial and/or by reason of widely spaced intersections. It is declared that the speed limit shall be as set forth below on those streets or parts of streets designated, to be effective when signs are erected giving notice thereof.

Street	From	To	Speed Limit
6th Street	Oxford Street	N. Pearl Street	30
Alder Street (SR 507)	Mellen Street	Cherry Street	30
Borst Avenue	Johnson Road	City limits	30
Burlington Northern Overpass	S. Tower Avenue	Summa Street	30
Burlington Northern Overpass	S. Pearl Street	Summa Street	30
Cherry Street (SR 507)	Alder Street	S. Pearl Street	30
Cooks Hill Road	Mellen Street	1,300 feet west of Scheuber Road	30
Cooks Hill Road	1,300 feet west of Scheuber Road	West city limits	35
Downing Road (SR 507)	N. Pearl Street	City limits	35
Galvin Road	Steelhammer Lane	City limits	35
Gold Street	Marion Street	Summa Street	30
Gold Street	Summa Street	South city limits	35
Harrison Avenue	Main Street	NW city limits	30
Kresky Avenue	South city limits	State Street	35
Kresky Avenue	State Street	Summa Street	30
Main Street	Washington Avenue	Harrison Avenue	30
Marion Street	Oxford Street	City limits	30
Mellen Street (SR 507)	Interstate 5	Alder Street	30
Pearl Street	Cherry Street	Chestnut Street	30
Pearl Street (SR 507)	Skookumchuck River Bridge	First Street	30
Pearl Street (SR 507)	Skookumchuck River Bridge	Downing Road	35
Reynolds Road	N. Pearl Street	River Road	30
Reynolds Road	Van Wormer Street	Blair Road	35
Scheuber Road	Borst Avenue	Russell Road	30
Tower Avenue	Chestnut Street	Cherry Street	30
Tower Avenue (SR 507)	First Street	6th Street	30
Yew Street	Main Street	Mellen Street	30

Provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary the speed limits established above shall have no application to such portions of those streets as may be duly designated school zones where the appropriate speed limit for such school zones shall apply in any event. (Ord. 2520 § 21, 2022; Ord. 2306 § 1, 2013: Ord. 2128 § 4, 2004).

11.20.095 Penalty for violation.

Unless another penalty is expressly provided by law, any person found to have committed an act designated as a traffic or parking violation under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties specified in CMC 11.56.050. (Ord. 2534 § 8, 2023; Ord. 2520 § 22, 2022; Ord. 2128 § 5, 2004).