Chapter 10.10 PARKING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES

The purpose of this chapter is to promote traffic safety and maintain streets free from hazardous and nuisance conditions by enforcing a uniform parking code. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.020 Authority.

A Police Officer or designated employee of the City of Mountlake Terrace may enforce the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.030 Designation of zones and restrictions.

In addition to the applicable MTMC Title 19 zoning provisions, the City of Mountlake Terrace shall establish designated no parking zones, time, zones, loading zones, and other restrictions or exceptions by resolution. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.040 Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter and in addition to their common meaning, the following words shall be defined as meaning:

A. “Alley” means a public right-of-way for the secondary access of a property not intended for general traffic use.

B. “Abandoned vehicle” means a vehicle left by the owner or person in possession of the vehicle with the intent to relinquish responsibility of the vehicle.

C. “Boat” means any water vessel, designed to carry persons and/or property upon water, propelled by engine, oars or sail.

D. “Commercial vehicle” means any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, merchandise, produce, freight, animals, or passengers for hire or a vehicle marked and directly used in association with a licensed business or a truck or tractor trailer that is 10,000 pounds or more gross weight, and/or 20 feet or more in length, and/or is eight feet or more in width.

E. “Electric vehicle” means, for the purpose of this chapter, any vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the grid, or an off-board source, that is stored on board for motive purpose. “Electric vehicle” includes: (1) a battery electric vehicle; (2) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; (3) a neighborhood electric vehicle; and (4) a medium-speed electric vehicle.

F. “Planting strip” means that part of a street right-of-way between the abutting property line and the curb or the traveled portion of the street, exclusive of any sidewalk, whether or not the property has been improved.

G. “Legal owner” means that person or entity with only a financial interest in a vehicle.

H. “Recreation vehicle” means any vehicle commonly known as a “house trailer,” “motor home,” “utility trailer,” or other name designed or used for human habitation or for carrying persons and/or property therein.

I. “Registered owner” means the person or persons with legal possession and responsibility of a vehicle.

J. “Safety zone” means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians and which is protected or is marked or indicated by painted marks, signs, buttons, standards, or otherwise, so as to be plainly discernible.

K. “Shoulder” means that area between the traveled portion of the roadway and the planting strip, whether or not the property has been improved.

L. “Storing” means the keeping of any vehicle on the public right-of-way in excess of 72 consecutive hours.

M. “Street” means the portion of a public right-of-way improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder, even though persons riding a bicycle use such a sidewalk or shoulder. For the purpose of this chapter street may also be described as a road, roadway or highway.

N. “Vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, any car, truck, motorcycle, or motor home, or other automobile that is motorized and licensed for street use for the purpose of transporting goods and/or people, electric vehicles and any trailer or towed object licensed for street use. (Ord. 2643 § 2, 2014; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.050 Stopping, standing or parking prohibited.

A. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the law or the directions of a police officer or official traffic control device, no person shall:

1. Stop, stand or park a vehicle:

a. On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

b. On a sidewalk or street-planting strip;

c. Within an intersection;

d. On a crosswalk;

e. Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless official signs or markings indicate a different no-parking area opposite the ends of a safety zone;

f. Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic;

g. Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel;

h. In the area between roadways of a divided highway, including cross-overs;

i. At any place where official signs prohibit stopping; or

j. Within any fire zone or fire exit;

2. Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:

a. In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading thereto;

b. Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;

c. Within 20 feet of a crosswalk;

d. Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;

e. Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance when properly signed;

f. At any place where official signs prohibit standing; or

g. At any place where City barricades are placed;

3. Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading property or passengers at any place where official signs prohibit parking;

4. Reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of a street or alley for the purpose of stopping, standing, or parking to the exclusion of any other like person, nor shall any person be granted such right.

B. Parking or standing shall be permitted in the manner provided by law at all other places except where a time limitation or parking restriction has been imposed.

C. No person shall move a vehicle that is not lawfully under his or her control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such a distance as is prohibited. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.060 Disabled parking – Violations.

A. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in a parking space provided and legally marked for disabled persons on private property without charge, or public property, reserved for physically disabled persons without clearly displaying a special license plate, or government issued placard or decal. If a person is cited with a violation, the person will not be determined to have committed an infraction if the person produces to the Hearing Examiner either prior to or at the contested hearing the placard or special license plate.

B. No person shall stop, stand, or park in, block or otherwise make inaccessible the access aisle located next to a space reserved for persons with physical disabilities. (Ord. 2643 § 3, 2014; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.065 Electric vehicle charging stations – Violations.

No person shall park a vehicle in an electric vehicle charging station provided on public or private property if the vehicle is not connected to charging equipment. For the purposes of this section “electric vehicle charging station” means a public or private parking space that is served by charging equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy to a battery or other energy storage devices in an electric vehicle. (Ord. 2643 § 4, 2014).

10.10.070 No parking zones.

No person shall park a vehicle of any kind in an authorized public no parking zone. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.080 Stopping, standing or parking next to curb.

A. Parallel Parking. Every vehicle standing or parked upon a roadway shall be:

1. With the wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb or as close as practicable to the curb;

2. In the authorized direction of travel; and

3. Parallel to the curb.

B. Angle Parking. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on any space which has been officially signed or marked for angle parking other than at the angle to and within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings or so that any portion of the vehicle extends into the traveled portion of the roadway.

C. Parking on Grade. No person shall stand or park a vehicle upon any perceptible grade without first turning the front wheels toward the curb or the side of the roadway.

D. Parking in a Cul-de-Sac or Dead End. No person shall park other than parallel to the curbing or shoulder of the roadway of a cul-de-sac or dead end unless such parking is officially marked and/or designated. (Ord. 2417 § 1, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.090 Parking within designated spaces.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any designated public parking space so that any part of such vehicle protrudes beyond the markings designating such space. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.100 Stopping, standing and parking of buses and taxicabs.

A. The operator of a bus shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street or alley at any place other than a designated bus stop. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a bus from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping, standing or parking regulations at any place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers or their baggage.

B. The operator of a taxicab shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street or alley at any place other than in a designated taxicab stand. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a taxicab from stopping in accordance with other stopping, standing or parking regulations at any place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers.

C. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in an officially authorized bus stop, or other than a taxicab in an officially authorized taxicab stand, except the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop there for the purpose of or while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such stop or stand. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.110 Repair on a public street.

No person shall wash, perform maintenance or repair work on any vehicle parked upon a roadway unless repairs are necessitated by an emergency. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.120 Parking in passenger loading zone.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time other than for the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers in any place marked as a passenger loading zone during hours when the regulations applicable to the loading zone are effective, and then only for a period not to exceed three minutes. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.130 Parking in a loading zone.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of property in any public place marked as a loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to such zone are in effect. In no case shall the stop for loading and unloading of property exceed 30 minutes. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.140 Parking in time zones.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any public parking space for a period of time longer than the period allowed in that time zone. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.150 Parking in a fire lane.

No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in a designated fire lane on private or public property. Vehicles found to be parked in a fire lane may be towed without notice and may be towed by any designated police or fire personnel in an urgent situation where the vehicle is impeding emergency apparatus. (Ord. 2417 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.160 Parking not to obstruct traffic.

A. No person shall park a vehicle upon a street in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the designated or adjacent travel lane of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic.

B. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley unless otherwise specifically permitted in this chapter. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.170 Driving over curb or on sidewalk prohibited.

A. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area, or over the constructed curbing of a roadway, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

B. No person shall park a vehicle across a sidewalk in a manner that in any way obstructs or prohibits use of the sidewalk. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.180 Parking commercial vehicles.

A. Parking of commercial vehicles in any public place or on any public right-of-way is prohibited between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 6:00 a.m.

B. In addition, commercial vehicles are prohibited in certain areas of the city at all times unless actively engaged in the loading or unloading of materials or passengers, or in connection with an approved construction project in accordance with the applicable regulations in MTMC Title 19; provided further, commercial vehicles are subject to specific parking zones as set by resolution by the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 2417 § 3, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.190 Storing vehicles on a public street.

No person shall store, abandon, or display for sale a vehicle of any kind on a public right-of-way in excess of 72 consecutive hours. Violation of this section shall be a civil violation and subject to a fine amount as shall be established and set forth by resolution. Vehicles remaining in excess of 72 consecutive hours shall be marked with a 72-hour notice of intent to tow and, if unmoved, subsequently towed. (Ord. 2417 § 4, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.200 Parking boats, trailers, and campers.

A. No person shall park on a public right-of-way at anytime:

1. Trailers of any kind disconnected from a motor vehicle unless they are securely blocked to prevent movement;

2. Campers or canopies of any kind not on a vehicle;

3. Boats not on a trailer designed for transporting boats.

B. Parking of recreational vehicles in any public place or on any public right-of-way is prohibited between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 6:00 a.m. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.210 Vehicles for sale or display.

No person shall park any vehicle upon any street or alley for the principal purpose of:

A. Displaying of commercial, noncommercial or political signs;

B. Selling merchandise from a vehicle, except when authorized by the City of Mountlake Terrace. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.220 Moving vehicles to avoid violation.

No person shall re-park an infrequently used or inoperable vehicle for the purpose of avoiding a violation of the codes. This act is defined as intentionally moving a vehicle a limited distance and re-parking the vehicle to appear as though it is being used. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.230 Abandoned/inoperable vehicles.

A. No person shall abandon, park or leave on public property or a right-of-way any inoperable vehicle. Abandoned vehicles are defined as appearing to be inoperable by having any one or more characteristics that include but are not limited to:

1. Vehicle license expired in excess of 30 days;

2. One or more flat tire;

3. Broken windshield;

4. Extensive body damage or rust;

5. Partially dismantled;

6. Wrecked or in a condition that would inhibit or prevent use;

7. Missing the rear vehicle license plate.

a. Vehicles that appear to be abandoned but are not a hazard may be impounded after 72 hours’ notice.

b. Vehicles that have an expired license or missing rear vehicle license plate are prohibited and, in addition to being subject to impound after 72 hours’ notice, the registered owner is subject to a civil violation with a fine amount as shall be established and set forth by resolution.

B. An abandoned vehicle shall be issued a “Notice of Intent to Tow,” affixed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle and containing the following information:

1. A description of the vehicle;

2. The location of the vehicle;

3. A description of the violation;

4. The time and date the notice was issued;

5. The time and date of tow if not moved;

6. The officer’s name and identifying number; and

7. The address and phone number of the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. (Ord. 2417 § 5, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.240 Hazardous vehicles.

Any vehicle that is left unattended or abandoned on public property or on a public street in such condition as to pose a threat to public health and safety is prohibited and may be impounded immediately without notice. These conditions include but are not limited to:

A. Blocking or obstructing a roadway or driveway;

B. Blocking or obstructing the view of oncoming traffic or a traffic control device;

C. Blocking a fire hydrant or blocking or obstructing the mobility of emergency vehicles;

D. A vehicle that is leaking or containing hazardous materials;

E. A vehicle that could be an attractive or harmful nuisance, or subject to damage or vandalism;

F. Vehicles parked in a designated fire lane. (Ord. 2417 § 6, 2006; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.250 Registered owner responsible.

The current registered owner of a vehicle is assumed responsible and liable for any violations and expenses unless:

A. There is a report of sale on the vehicle;

B. The vehicle was stolen or taken without permission;

C. The current actual owner can be identified and located, and ownership verified. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.260 Impounding vehicles.

Any unattended vehicle that is a hazard, is in violation of public parking zones, or is parked in violation of the terms of a notice of tow, or any occupied vehicle that is in a condition not fit to be driven on a public right-of-way, or the driver is arrested or prohibited from driving the vehicle may be impounded. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.270 Parking infractions – Fines.

Violations of this chapter shall be an infraction. Parking infractions shall be a dollar amount as set by resolution. A parking infraction shall be issued by being left or affixed in a conspicuous place on the vehicle, and shall state:

A. The time and date issued;

B. The location of the violation;

C. A description and/or identifying number of the vehicle;

D. A description of the violation;

E. The dollar amount of the fine;

F. The issuing officer’s name and badge or personnel number;

G. A statement about the payment process, how to contest the infraction, and the compliance date; and

H. The address of the Violations Bureau. (Ord. 2643 § 5, 2014; Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.280 Payment of fines.

Parking fines shall be paid at the Mountlake Terrace Violations Bureau in person or by mail within 15 days of issuance. For payments made by mail, a postmark shall serve as the date the payment is made. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.290 Contested fines.

A parking fine may be contested by notifying the Violations Bureau in writing within 15 days of issuance of the citation of a request for a hearing. The requested hearing shall be brought before the Hearing Examiner in accordance with and pursuant to Chapter 2.120 MTMC. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).

10.10.300 Failure to pay.

A parking fine not contested and not paid within 15 days will be double the amount of the original fine. Parking fines not paid after notice of delinquency may be forwarded to a collection agency or may be collected by any means authorized by law. (Ord. 2294 § 1, 2001).