Chapter 10.30
PARKING
Sections:
10.30.005 Description and purpose.
10.30.010 Parking zones established.
10.30.020 Restriction of unlicensed vehicles and/or other equipment on city streets.
10.30.040 No parking – Commercial vehicles.
10.30.050 Blocking mailboxes with motor vehicle prohibited.
10.30.095 No parking near intersection.
10.30.110 Parking on right-of-way.
10.30.120 Parking within 20 feet of crosswalk prohibited.
10.30.130 Parking within 15 feet of fire hydrant prohibited.
10.30.140 Blocking or obstructing sidewalk prohibited.
10.30.150 Parking on city streets restricted.
10.30.160 No parking against oncoming traffic.
10.30.170 Seventy-two-hour restriction.
10.30.005 Description and purpose.
PMC 10.04.020 adopts by reference the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance, Chapter 308-330 WAC, except as provided in PMC 10.04.025. Pursuant to RCW 46.61.570, the Model Traffic Ordinance authorizes the city to restrict parking and establish no parking zones on city streets and other rights-of-way within the city. The city council finds that it is necessary and appropriate for public safety reasons to establish restricted parking and no parking zones on city streets and other rights-of-way within the city. It is the intent of this chapter to promote and protect property values and to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens. (Ord. 1370 § 1, 1998).
10.30.010 Parking zones established.
A. Definitions. The terms “park,” “parking,” and “vehicle” shall be as defined in PMC 10.30.090(A).
B. Parking shall be permitted adjacent to the west- and eastbound lanes of 3rd Avenue Southwest, between West Valley Highway and Frontage Road, from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
C. Parking shall not be permitted adjacent to 3rd Avenue Southwest, between Frontage Road and Seattle Boulevard South, at any time.
D. It is unlawful for any person to park any vehicle on those portions of 3rd Avenue Southwest identified in subsection B of this section after 8:00 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.
E. Parking shall not be permitted adjacent to west side of Butte Avenue Southeast, south of County Line Road and terminating 500 feet north of Stewart Road, at any time, residential parking in front of their own home excluded.
F. Parking shall not be permitted adjacent to south side of 1st Avenue East, west of Skinner Road and terminating 150 feet west of Skinner Road, at any time.
G. Parking shall not be permitted on Strawberry Court Southwest at any time.
H. Violation of this section shall be a class 2 civil infraction. Vehicles parked in violation of this section are subject to impoundment. (Ord. 1979 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1969 § 1, 2017; Ord. 1762 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1733 § 1, 2009; Ord. 1560 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1448 §§ 1 – 5, 2000; Ord. 1370 § 2, 1998; Ord. 724 §§ 1, 2, 1979).
10.30.020 Restriction of unlicensed vehicles and/or other equipment on city streets.
No person shall park, leave, or allow to remain any unlicensed vehicle and/or other equipment on any city street. Violation of this section shall be a class 2 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 3, 1998; Ord. 847 § 1, 1981).
10.30.030 No parking – Third and Milwaukee.
Repealed by Ord. 1370. (Ord. 859 § 1, 1982).
10.30.040 No parking – Commercial vehicles.
It is unlawful to park any commercial vehicles including detached commercial trailers on any public right-of-way in the city. Commercial vehicle parking along Frontage Road shall be permitted from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from Third Ave. SW to Third Ave. NW. The Frontage Road exception specifically does not include detached truck trailers. Violation of this section is a class 2 civil infraction. (Ord. 1632 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1560 § 2, 2003; Ord. 1370 § 4, 1998; Ord. 1171 § 1, 1992).
10.30.050 Blocking mailboxes with motor vehicle prohibited.
It is unlawful to park a motor vehicle within 15 feet of a clearly visible mailbox which is located directly adjacent to curbside or on a public right-of-way, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except on Sundays and holidays. Vehicles in violation of this section are subject to impoundment as provided by law. Violation of this section is a class 4 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 5, 1998; Ord. 1078 §§ 1, 2, 1989).
10.30.060 No parking – Passenger loading and unloading – Intersection of Milwaukee Boulevard South and Third Avenue Northwest.
Repealed by Ord. 1370. (Ord. 1082 § 1, 1989).
10.30.070 No parking – Third Avenue between Skinner Road and West Valley Highway.
Repealed by Ord. 1370. (Ord. 1136 § 1, 1991).
10.30.080 No parking – Frontage Road and Ellingson Road.
Repealed by Ord. 1370. (Ord. 1252 § 1, 1995).
10.30.090 Fire lanes.
A. Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this section:
1. “Fire lane” means that area within any public right-of-way, easement, or private property designated for the purpose of permitting fire trucks and other fire-fighting or emergency equipment to use, travel upon and park.
2. “Park,” “parking,” “stop,” “stand” or “standing” means the halting of a vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or fire official or traffic-control sign or signal.
3. “Vehicle” means a machine propelled by power other than human power, designed to travel along the ground or rail by use of wheels, treads, runners or slides, and transport persons or property, or pull machinery, and shall include, without limitations, automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle, tractor, buggy, wagon and locomotive.
B. Requirements – Standards. When required by the fire department, hard-surfaced driving fire lanes shall be provided around facilities which by their size, location, design or contents warrant access which exceeds that normally provided by the proximity of city streets.
1. Fire lanes shall provide a minimum, unobstructed continuous width of 20 feet and a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet, six inches.
2. Fire lanes shall be either asphalt or reinforced concrete, or, when specifically authorized by the fire department, compacted crushed rock.
3. Where fire lanes connect to city streets or parking lots, adequate clearance and turning radius shall be provided. All proposed plans for fire lanes must have fire department approval.
C. Fire Lanes as Part of Driveways and/or Parking Areas. The fire department may require that areas specified for use as driveways or private thoroughfares shall not be used for parking. These areas, when specified, shall be marked or identified by one of the two means detailed in subsection E of this section.
D. Parking in Fire Lane Prohibited. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer or fire official or traffic-control sign, signal or device, no person shall:
1. Stop, stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, in a designated fire lane, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers, or temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property; or
2. Allow continued violations of this section on private property which they own or manage.
E. Fire Lane Identification. Lanes shall be identified by a four-inch-wide line or by painting of the curb in bright yellow color. Marking shall be by one of the following methods:
1. Fire lane signs (in accordance with the Washington State Highway Commission Sign Fabrication Manual M24-70 HT and the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices issued by the Federal Highway Administration), per illustration:
Lettering Specifications
3′′ – Class C width
3′′ – Class B width
2′′ – Class C width
1/2′′ – Class C width
a. Reflective in nature;
b. Red letters on white background;
c. Signs to be spaced 50 feet apart and posted on or immediately next to the curb, or on the building;
d. Signs to be no less than four feet from the ground.
2. Fire lane painting (where signs cannot be safely or securely posted, or where required in addition to signs).
a. Block letters 18 inches high, 12 inches wide and four-inch stroke stating “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING” shall be painted on the lane at 50-foot intervals in bright yellow color using paint that shall be suited for traffic markings.
3. Alternate Materials and Methods. The fire chief may modify any of the provisions herein where there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the standard; provided, that the spirit of this section shall be complied with, public safety shall be secured and substantial justice shall be done. The particulars of such modification shall be granted or allowed and the decision of the fire chief shall be entered upon the records of the fire department.
F. Existing Buildings. When the fire chief determines that a hazard due to inaccessibility of fire apparatus exists around existing buildings, he may require fire lanes to be constructed and maintained as detailed in subsections B and C of this section.
G. Enforcement. It shall be the joint duty of the police chief and the fire chief and/or their authorized designees to enforce subsection D of this section. It shall be the duty of the fire chief or his authorized designee to enforce the other subsections of this section.
H. Violation. It is a violation of this section for any person, firm or individual to sign or to attempt to designate an unauthorized fire lane.
I. Penalties. A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $75.00. Vehicles parked in a fire lane are subject to immediate impoundment, in addition to other penalties. (Ord. 2008 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019; Ord. 1358 § 1, 1998).
10.30.095 No parking near intersection.1
It is unlawful to park a motor vehicle upon the roadway within 30 feet of an intersection. Violation of this section is a class 4 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 6, 1998).
10.30.100 No parking zones.
It is unlawful to park a motor vehicle upon any portion of the roadway designated as a no parking zone by an official sign defining the area and times of prohibited parking. Violation of this section is a class 4 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 7, 1998).
10.30.110 Parking on right-of-way.
A. A motor vehicle may not be parked on a city street or right-of-way unless the vehicle can be placed completely off the traveled portion of the roadway.
B. No person shall park a vehicle upon any street or right-of-way in a manner that obstructs, interferes with, or impedes the flow of traffic or in any manner that otherwise creates a safety hazard.
C. No person shall park a vehicle upon any street or right-of-way in such a manner as to leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic.
D. Violation of this section shall be a class 3 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 8, 1998).
10.30.120 Parking within 20 feet of crosswalk prohibited.
No person shall park a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk. Violation of this section is a class 2 civil infraction. (Ord. 2008 § 3 (Exh. B), 2019; Ord. 1370 § 9, 1998).
10.30.130 Parking within 15 feet of fire hydrant prohibited.
No person shall park a vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Violation of this section is a class 1 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 10, 1998).
10.30.140 Blocking or obstructing sidewalk prohibited.
No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle on or over a sidewalk. Violation of this section is a class 2 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 11, 1998).
10.30.150 Parking on city streets restricted.
It is unlawful for the owner, operator, or user of any recreational vehicle, including but not limited to a travel trailer, camper, motor home, or mobile home, or other trailer, to park or leave such vehicle parked on a city street right-of-way. Violation of this section is a class 4 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 12, 1998).
10.30.160 No parking against oncoming traffic.
It is unlawful for any person or business to park any vehicle, including but not limited to any motor vehicle, motorcycle, bicycle, trailer, camper, motor home, or mobile home, on a city street in a direction facing the oncoming traffic which results in parking against the oncoming traffic. Violation of this section is a class 3 civil infraction. (Ord. 1370 § 13, 1998).
10.30.170 Seventy-two-hour restriction.
It is unlawful for any person or business to park or leave any licensed vehicle or licensed equipment on a city street or city right-of-way for a period exceeding 72 hours. It is not a defense that the vehicle was moved to a different geographical location, unless the vehicle is moved prior to the expiration of 72 hours, and to a location other than a city street or city right-of-way as permitted by law or ordinance. Violation of this section is a class 3 civil infraction. (Ord. 1383 § 1, 1998).
10.30.180 Vehicle repairs.
It is unlawful to park, keep or store a motor vehicle on any premises in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped, dismantled, repaired, or overhauled, unless such work is performed inside an enclosed area. “Enclosed area” means within a structure that conceals the motor vehicle from the view of the roadways adjacent and near to the property, and which conceals the vehicle from the view of adjoining properties. Violation of this section is a class 3 civil infraction. (Ord. 1388 § 1, 1998).
Code reviser’s note: Ordinance 1370 adds these provisions as Section 10.30.090. The section has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.