Chapter 11.34 PARKING REGULATIONS

Chapter 11.34
PARKING REGULATIONS

Sections:

11.34.020 Limited-hour, limited-use parking areas.

11.34.010 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter the words and phrases used herein, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, shall have the following meanings:

“Assigned parking stall” means any parking stall visibly marked by painted lines and located within an area designated as assigned parking on a posted sign.

“Assigned vehicles” means those vehicles owned by the county or other public motor vehicle or private motor vehicle displaying a parking lot authorization duly issued by the county which permits such motor vehicles to be parked in certain areas which are designated by the county.

“Authorized officer or agent” means any officer, agent, employee or independent contractor authorized by the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners (Board) to enforce the provisions of this chapter and in addition, includes any police officer or deputy sheriff authorized by law to execute criminal process or to make arrest for the violations of the statutes of the state or ordinances of the county, upon property subject to this chapter.

“Impoundment-in-place” means the prevention of free movement of a motor vehicle by the installation on such motor vehicle of a “vehicle immobilizer.”

“Motor vehicle” means every vehicle capable of being moved, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn.

“Operator” means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle.

“Owner” means any person who holds a title of ownership of a vehicle or who is named or designated as registered owner thereof on the registration certificate issued by proper state authorities, or who is in lawful possession of the vehicle, pursuant to the terms of a lease, contract or agreement.

“Parking” means the standing of a motor vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.

“Public parking stall” or “parking stall” means any parking stall visibly marked with painted lines and located in any area not designated as “assigned parking,” or designated for any other special purpose.

“Vehicle immobilizer” means any device capable of being physically attached to a motor vehicle thereby impounding it in place. [Ord. 16-018, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-23-16.]

11.34.020 Limited-hour, limited-use parking areas.

A. Except during normal business hours or for purposes of official county business after normal business hours, no motor vehicle shall park, stand or stop upon any county parking lot, public way or property except to avoid conflict with other traffic, except as directed by law enforcement personnel, or except in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Cowlitz County Facilities Services Department, governing the use of the above-described property. No motor vehicle other than assigned official county vehicles may park in county assigned public areas and parking stalls, so designated in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Facilities Services Department.

B. No person shall stop, stand, park or store any vehicle at any location upon any county parking lot, public way or property for a period exceeding 24 consecutive hours. Further, no person shall stop, stand, park or store any vehicle at any location upon any county parking lot, public way or property if such vehicle does not display (1) valid license plates and valid state tabs indicating that the vehicle is currently licensed and registered, or (2) other proof of current registration permitting use of the vehicle on the public roads. Further, no person shall stop, stand, park or store any vehicle in a disabled parking stall on any county parking lot, public way or property unless they possess a valid, current state disabled parking permit. In addition to any other penalty established by this chapter, any vehicle violating this provision shall be deemed an unauthorized vehicle and may be impounded pursuant to this chapter.

C. In addition to any other penalty established by this chapter, any vehicle violating this section of the County Code shall be deemed an unauthorized vehicle and may be impounded under this chapter. [Ord. 16-018, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-23-16.]

11.34.030 Parking regulations.

The Facilities Services Department is authorized to promulgate rules and policies governing parking on any county parking lot, public way or property, including the regulation of public parking, the use of assigned or designated parking areas, charges for the use of public parking, together with provisions for the enforcement of such regulations, including facilitating the towing or impoundment-in-place of vehicles in violation of those regulations or of other provisions of this chapter. Rules governing impoundment or towing of vehicles shall comply with Chapter 46.55 RCW, as now existing or hereafter amended. Charges for parking, impoundment, towing or release set by rules and policies of the Facilities Services Department shall not be effective until approved by the County Board. [Ord. 16-018, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-23-16.]

11.34.040 Speed limit.

It is unlawful for any person to operate, drive or otherwise move a vehicle at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour upon any portion of any county parking lot unless otherwise posted. [Ord. 16-018, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-23-16.]

11.34.050 Penalty for violations.

Any violation or failure to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or with any rule or regulation promulgated by the Board and posted upon the premises shall, in addition to any charges set forth in the regulations of the Board or collected for impoundment or removal of offending vehicles, constitute a traffic infraction, the penalty for which shall be the maximum penalty authorized for other parking infractions of the jurisdiction authorized to issue parking infractions. [Ord. 16-018, § 1 (Exh. A), 2-23-16.]