Chapter 11.24 PARKING

Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, every vehicle stopped or parked within the city shall be parked parallel to the curb, sidewalk, or as close as practical to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder. [Ord. 911 § 2(a), 1981.]

11.24.020 Parallel orientation – Exception.

All motor vehicles within the city shall be parked parallel to curb or sidewalk, except that in special instances and places a different manner of parking may be provided by motion of the city council. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 487 § 3, 1953.]

11.24.030 Angle parking – Determination.

The chief of police shall determine upon what streets, other than those forming a part of the primary or secondary state highways, angle parking shall be permitted. [Ord. 911 § 2(b), 1981.]

11.24.040 Angle parking – Compliance.

Upon those streets which have been signed or marked for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at an angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings. Where not signed for angle parking, no person shall park or stand other than parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway. [Ord. 911 § 2(c)(1), 1981.]

11.24.050 Marked stalls or spaces.

Where parking stalls or spaces are marked or painted upon the curb and/or pavement of the street, it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to parallel or angle park so that any part of such vehicle occupies more than one such space or protrudes beyond the markings designating such a space or out into the traveled portion of any street. [Ord. 911 § 2(c)(2), 1981.]

Article II. Stopping, Standing or Parking – General Prohibitions

11.24.060 Vehicle license required.

It shall be unlawful to park or stand upon any street or public right-of-way in the city any vehicle not bearing the proper license or tag currently required for such vehicle. [Ord. 911 § 3(a), 1981.]

11.24.070 Wide vehicles.

No vehicle having an overall width at the widest portion of the body or chassis in excess of 84 inches shall be parked upon any street or public right-of-way, except for the purpose of loading or unloading. [Ord. 947 § 1, 1983; Ord. 911 § 3(b), 1981.]

11.24.080 Handicapped parking – Violation.

It is a traffic infraction, with a monetary penalty of $50.00, for any person to park a vehicle in a parking place provided on private property without charge or on public property reserved for physically disabled persons without a special license plate, card or decal. If a person is charged with a violation, the person shall not be determined to have committed an infraction if the person produces in court or before the court appearance the special license plate, card or decal required under RCW 46.16.381, or demonstrates that the person was entitled to the special license plate, card, or decal. [Ord. 1014 § 1, 1986.]

11.24.090 Obstructing traffic.

No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon a street in such a manner or under conditions which leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the lane of the roadway being traveled for free movement to vehicular traffic. [Ord. 911 § 3(c), 1981.]

11.24.100 Alleys.

No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under conditions which leave available less than eight feet of the width of the roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic. [Ord. 911 § 3(d), 1981.]

11.24.110 Schools.

(1) The chief of police is authorized to erect signs indicating no parking upon either or both sides of any street adjacent to any school property when such parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.

(2) When official signs are erected indicating no parking on that side of a street adjacent to any school property, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. [Ord. 911 § 8(e), 1981.]

11.24.120 Narrow streets.

When, under the provisions of RCW 46.90.265(11), official signs are erected on narrow streets, no person shall park a vehicle on any such street in violation thereof. [Ord. 911 § 8(f), 1981.]

11.24.130 Hazardous or congested places.

When, under the provisions of RCW 46.90.265(13), official signs are erected at hazardous or congested places, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in such a designated place. [Ord. 911 § 8(g), 1981.]

11.24.140 Fire lanes.

(1) Fire lanes are authorized up streets and ways open to the public, where, because of the congregating of people, the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles would create an especially hazardous condition in case of fire or other disaster. The chief of police is authorized to erect signs indicating such fire lanes.

(2) When official signs have been erected indicating such fire lanes, no person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in any such designated fire lane. [Ord. 911 § 8(h), 1981.]

11.24.150 Parking on municipal property.

In any garage, park, parking area or other property owned and operated by the city, where signs prohibit or restrict parking, any vehicle parked or standing without lawful authority or permission shall be subject to penalties set forth in CMC 11.24.380. Notwithstanding any penalty imposed or action taken pursuant to CMC 11.24.380, any vehicle found in violation of this section may be towed, after notice as required in CMC 11.24.170. [Ord. 1667 § 1, 2022; Ord. 911 § 8(1), 1981.]

11.24.160 Extended parking of unauthorized, abandoned, or unlicensed vehicles.

(1) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following words shall have the same meanings indicated unless the content clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “Vehicle” shall have the same meaning as in RCW 46.04.670.

(b) “Abandoned vehicle” means any hulk, junk vehicle or automobile hulk left within the right-of-way of any public street, highway, alley or way open to the public for a period exceeding 24 hours. Indicators of an abandoned vehicle may be, but are not limited to:

(i) Debris or wind-blown accumulations under or around vehicle suggesting it has not been moved recently.

(ii) Inoperable as indicated by flat tires, missing vehicle body parts, leaking fluids, broken windows, weeds growing around the vehicle, or other indicators.

(c) “Automobile hulk” or “hulk” or “junk vehicle” means the remnant or remains of a vehicle which is apparently inoperable and is extensively damaged or missing vital parts or mechanisms.

(d) “Unauthorized” means without lawful authority or without permission of a city official.

(e) “Unlicensed” means a vehicle with expired license plates, unregistered license plates, or absence of license plates.

(f) “Block face” means the side of the street where the vehicle was parked between two intersecting streets.

(2) The provisions in this code grant the Clarkston police department and its officers the authority to tow unauthorized, abandoned, or unlicensed vehicles, as defined in this section, and vehicles on public property and/or public roadways for criteria contained herein.

(3) No person may continuously park an unauthorized vehicle on any public street, highway, alley, or way for a period exceeding 14 days, unless an official sign provides a shorter period of time, or otherwise provided by law. Nor may a person allow an abandoned or unlicensed vehicle to remain continuously parked on a public street, highway, alley, or way for a period longer than 24 hours. Time limits imposed by this subsection shall begin to run when an officer observes the vehicle in person.

(4) Authorized or official vehicles on municipal property are excluded from the provisions of this section, as are vehicles displaying proof of payment when parked in spaces controlled by a parking payment device and vehicles displaying a parking permit issued by the city of Clarkston.

(5) Any vehicle which is moved from a parking spot and then reparked on the same street block face within 72 hours from the time of said removal shall be deemed to have been continuously parked for the purposes of this section. [Ord. 1667 § 1, 2022; Ord. 911 § 8(j), 1981.]

11.24.170 Towing and impoundment.

Chapter 46.55 RCW is adopted by reference as the towing and impoundment ordinance of the city as if set forth in full. [Ord. 1667 § 1, 2022; Ord. 947 § 3, 1983; Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 487 § 5, 1953.]

Article III. Prohibited Streets – Hour and Time Limits

11.24.180 Applicability of restrictions generally.

The provisions of this chapter prohibiting the standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified or as indicated on official signs, except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or official traffic-control device. [Ord. 911 § 4(a), 1981.]

11.24.190 Time limits not exclusive.

The provisions of this chapter imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times. [Ord. 911 § 4(b), 1981.]

11.24.200 All times on certain streets.

When signs are erected giving notice thereof, no person shall park any vehicle at any time on any street, where signs prohibit such parking. [Ord. 911 § 4(c), 1981.]

11.24.210 Libby Street, north side.

The north side of Libby Street from Sixth Street to Twelfth Street is designated a no parking zone, and it is unlawful and illegal for any vehicle to be parked or left standing upon the north side of Libby Street or upon the street right-of-way or upon the parking strip between the street and the sidewalk at any time.

The director of public works is directed to so post the north side of Libby Street. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 863 § 4, 1979.]

11.24.220 Bridge Street.

From and after the effective date of this section and the posting of adequate regulatory signs, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to park any motor vehicle, trailer or other object, whether mobile or immobile, on Bridge Street within the municipal limits of the city. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 589 § 1, 1963.]

11.24.230 Interstate Bridge and Diagonal Street.

From and after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section, it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle, regardless of the method of propulsion, from the west end of the Interstate Bridge to Second Street, and on Diagonal Street from Second Street to Sixth Street, all in city. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 732 § 3, 1974.]

11.24.240 Sixth Street.

(1) There shall be established a no-parking zone for the distance of 20 feet either side of the main door of the establishment located at 832 Sixth Street, known as the Asotin County Gerontology Council, Inc.

(2) Such no-parking zone shall be posted as “No Parking – Loading Zone Only.” [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 792 §§ 1, 2, 1977.]

11.24.250 Certain hours on certain streets.

When signs are erected in each block giving notice thereof, no person shall park any vehicle between the hours specified by the posting except Sundays and legal holidays. [Ord. 911 § 4(d), 1981.]

11.24.260 Time limited on certain streets.

Where signs are erected in each block giving notice thereof, no person shall park any vehicle for longer than the time designated by the posting, except Sundays and legal holidays. [Ord. 911 § 4(e), 1981.]

11.24.265 Time limited in public parking areas.

No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, in any garage, parking area or other property owned or operated and/or controlled by the city, or designated by its owners and/or operators as public parking overnight. “Overnight” is defined as continual occupation, parking, stopping or standing of a vehicle between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. of any day. [Ord. 980 § 1, 1985.]

11.24.270 Signs required.

Whenever by this article or any other provision of this chapter any parking time limit is imposed or parking is prohibited on designated streets, it shall be the duty of the chief of police to authorize the erection of appropriate signs giving notice thereof, and no such regulation shall be effective unless said signs are erected and in place at the time of any alleged offense. [Ord. 911 § 4(f), 1981.]

Article IV. Commercial or Recreational Vehicles

11.24.280 Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following words shall have the same meanings indicated unless the content clearly requires otherwise:

(1) “Boat” means any vessel or hull designed to float upon or in the water with dimensions that permit it to be taken over highways on attached wheels, on a trailer or as a self-propelled vehicle, including any trailer used for transporting the same.

(2) “Camper” is defined as and has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 46.04.085, when not mounted on a motor vehicle.

(3) “Commercial vehicle” means any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 12,000 pounds or greater, or vehicle registered with a gross weight of 12,000 pounds or greater, as indicated on its certificate of registration, or as defined by RCW 46.04.140, or semitrailer as defined by RCW 46.04.530, or truck tractor as defined by RCW 46.04.650, or pole trailer as defined by RCW 46.04.414, or motor truck as defined by RCW 46.04.310.

(4) “Motor home” is defined as and has the same meaning as set forth in RCW 46.04.305.

(5) “Trailer” is defined and has the same meaning as listed by RCW 46.04.620.

(6) “Vehicle” includes every device capable of being moved upon a public highway, in and upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, excepting devices moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks. [Ord. 863 § 1, 1979.]

11.24.290 Commercial vehicles prohibited where.

No commercial vehicle shall be parked or left standing on a street or alley or a street or alley right-of-way located in a residential, commercial or industrial zone in the city at any time, except when such is being loaded or unloaded. The provisions of this section shall not apply to commercial vehicles used in street construction work and street maintenance. [Ord. 1405 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1270 § 1, 1997; Ord. 1229 § 1, 1996; Ord. 863 § 2, 1979.]

11.24.300 Trailers, campers, motor homes and boats.

No trailer, camper, motor home or boat shall be parked or left standing on any street right-of-way, alley or alley right-of-way located in any residential or commercial zone in the city of Clarkston for longer than 24 hours or in such a way as to create a traffic or vision hazard, or as prescribed herein.

(1) No person may allow a stationary trailer, camper, motor home, or boat to remain upon a public right-of-way for more than 24 consecutive hours. A person may continuously park a trailer, camper, motor home or boat on the public right-of-way immediately fronting their residence for a period not to exceed 72 hours. The movement of the trailer, camper, motor home, or boat for the primary purpose of avoiding the provisions of this subsection is not a defense to a charge of violating this subsection. Time limits imposed by this subsection shall begin to run when an officer observes the vehicle in person.

(2) Authorized vehicles on municipal property are excluded from the provisions of this section.

(3) Notice to Owner. A law enforcement officer discovering a vehicle in violation of the terms of this section shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification, clearly visible as a “notice of tow impound.” The notice shall contain the following information:

(a) The date and time the notification was attached;

(b) The identity of the officer;

(c) A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within the proper number of hours (24 or 72 as set forth above) from the time the notification is attached, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner’s expense;

(d) A statement that if the vehicle is not redeemed as provided in RCW 46.55.120, the vehicle may be declared an abandoned vehicle and sold according to the terms of RCW 46.55.130; and

(e) The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.

(4) Relocation of the vehicle for the purposes of avoiding impound or citation is prohibited unless the vehicle is relocated to another block face for a minimum of 72 hours from the location where the vehicle notice or the citation was issued.

(5) It should be the general procedure that prior to removing a vehicle for the sole reason of being in violation of this section, an officer will attempt to contact the registered owner using reasonable means.

(6) Storage of personal effects, in conjunction with use of a vehicle or not, on any public street or municipal property is prohibited. Violation of this subsection is declared to be a nuisance, subject to civil or criminal penalty as authorized by Chapter 10.56 CMC.

(7) Nothing in this section prohibits an officer from immediately towing a vehicle under authority granted to them by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).

(8) Penalty. Any vehicle found to be in violation of this section is declared to be a public nuisance and shall be subject to penalties set forth in CMC 11.24.380. Notwithstanding any penalty imposed or action taken pursuant to CMC 11.24.380, any vehicle found in violation of this section may be towed, after notice as required in subsection (3) of this section. [Ord. 1662 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1437 § 1, 2008; Ord. 874 § 1, 1979; Ord. 863 § 3, 1979.]

Article V. Private Parking Lots

11.24.310 Purpose.

Vehicular parking on the public streets, alleys and public parking lots within the municipal limits of the city is insufficient to provide adequate and necessary parking space for business firms, employees, patrons and deliverymen. To relieve the growing congestion occasioned by such parking, it is deemed necessary and proper to encourage the establishment of private parking and customer parking lots and areas. Policing, regulation and protection thereof is deemed necessary to encourage development of private and customer parking lots and areas. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 519 § 1, 1957.]

11.24.320 Posting.

Any person, firm or corporation may designate and set aside for private parking space any area sufficient for the parking of one or more vehicles and shall so designate the area by adequate signs, posted in conspicuous places at or near the boundaries thereof, legibly printed with the words “Private Parking” or “No Parking” and referring to this article and chapter by number. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 519 § 2, 1957.]

11.24.330 Trespassing prohibited.

After designation and posting as provided by CMC 11.24.320, it is unlawful for any person to trespass or enter upon the parking lot without prior permission of the owner or any other person entitled to possession thereof. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 519 § 3, 1957.]

11.24.340 Customer lots.

Any person, firm or corporation may acquire and set aside for parking space for its customers a parking lot area, and shall so designate said area by adequate signs posted in conspicuous places at or near the boundaries thereof, legibly printed with the words “Customer Parking,” the name of the firm, reference to this article and chapter by number and designating a time limit for parking thereon. Thereafter it shall be unlawful for any person to park any motor vehicle thereon except by a customer of the firm, and in any event, for no longer than limited by the posted signs. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 519 § 4, 1957.]

11.24.350 Administration – Liability denied.

(1) The chief of police shall have the power and authority to determine the allocation of proper footage, alignment and means of ingress or egress and the number of vehicles which may be parked upon any particular property.

(2) The city, its officers, agents or employees shall not be liable for any damages occasioned to any person or vehicle upon said parking lot or lots, notwithstanding the authority to regulate the same as provided herein. [Ord. 911 § 6, 1981; Ord. 519 § 5, 1957.]

Article VI. Exhaust-System Brakes

11.24.360 Prohibited.

No person shall operate or cause to be operated any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles within the corporate limits of the city and use jake brakes or other exhaust-system brakes as a method of braking or slowing said vehicles. [Ord. 913 § 1, 1981.]

11.24.370 Posting.

The chief of police is authorized to post all entrances to the city with signs indicating and announcing the prohibition of the use of jake brakes or other exhaust-system brakes within the municipal limits. [Ord. 913 § 2, 1981.]

Article VII. Violations

11.24.380 Penalties.

Failure to perform any act or the performance of any act prohibited by this chapter or any other local ordinance relating to parking, including standing, stopping and pedestrian offenses, is designated as traffic infraction and is defined by Chapter 46.63 RCW and shall be regulated thereby; provided further, that the person found to have committed a traffic infraction under this chapter shall be assessed a monetary penalty of not more than $250.00. [Ord. 911 § 5, 1981.]