CHAPTER 10
PARKING REGULATIONS
SECTION:
10-10-3: Stopping, Standing Or Parking Restricted Or Prohibited At All Times
10-10-5: Stopping, Standing And Parking Of Transit Coaches And Taxicabs Regulated
10-10-6: Signs And/Or Markings Required
10-10-11: Existing Ordinances Repealed
10-10-12: Overnight Parking Of Certain Vehicles Prohibited
10-10-14: Extended Unauthorized Parking
10-10-1 DEFINITIONS:
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this Chapter:
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT: That area within the district bounded as follows: beginning at the northeast corner of South Second Street and Mill Avenue South, thence westerly along the north margin of South Second Street to the west margin of Rainier Avenue, thence southerly along the west margin of Rainier Avenue to the south margin of South Fourth Place, thence easterly along the south margin of South Fourth Place to the east margin of Shattuck Avenue South, thence northerly along the east margin of Shattuck Avenue South to the south margin of South Fourth Street, thence easterly along the south margin of South Fourth Street to the east margin of Main Avenue South, thence northerly along the east margin of Main Avenue South to the south margin of Houser Way South, thence easterly along the south margin of Houser Way South to the south margin of South Third Street, thence easterly along the south margin of South Third to the east margin of Mill Avenue South to the northeast margin of South Second Street, the place of beginning.
CROSS-HASHED BARRIER AREA: That portion of the street or public property designated by painted, or otherwise marked, diagonal lines and bordered by a solid line.
CURB: The lateral boundaries of that portion of the street designated or intended for the use of vehicles, whether marked by curbing construction or not.
FIRE ZONE: 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 prevention equipment to use, travel upon and park.
RAILROAD CROSSING: The crossing of a street and a railroad track, one over the other.
TRAVEL or MOVING LANE: That portion of the street, divided by markings and/or devices into two (2) or more lanes, or in the absence of such markings and/or devices that portion of the street located five feet (5′) both to the left and to the right of the center of the street, and intended for the movement of vehicular traffic. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77; amd. Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-2 METHOD OF PARKING:
A – F. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
G. Parking Of Commercial Vehicles Within The Central Business District: Commercial vehicles, as defined herein, may park within a single travel or moving lane within the boundaries of the central business district whenever there is no off street loading or unloading facilities servicing that area, for the expressed purpose of expeditiously loading or unloading materials or freight, for a period of time not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes; provided, that at least nine feet (9′) of the width of the street, excluding that portion of the street designated for parking if indicated by painted stalls, is left available for the free movement of vehicular traffic; further provided, that such parking shall be permitted only between the hours of eight o’clock (8:00) A.M. to two o’clock (2:00) P.M. Monday through Friday; further provided, that such parking shall not be permitted on Sunday or on any public holiday. No person shall park such vehicle in a travel or moving lane in violation of this subsection or fail to immediately remove such vehicle upon the order of a police officer. (Ord. 3528, 4-20-81)
H. Directional Parking: Upon those City streets or public properties which have been marked with signs or other markings for “head-in,” “back-in” or “parallel” parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than in the direction indicated by such sign or markings.
I. Boat Trailer Parking:
1. Upon those City properties which provide for parking of motor vehicles with boat trailers, no person shall park or stand a vehicle without an attached boat trailer in those spaces provided for vehicles with boat trailers.
2. No person shall park or stand a vehicle with an attached boat trailer in any space(s) other than such space that has been designated for vehicles with boat trailers.
3. No person shall park or stand a boat trailer, disconnected from a motor vehicle, on any public property at any time. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-3 STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES:
A. Application Of Chapter: The provisions of this Chapter prohibiting or restricting the standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times 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 directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
B – E. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
F. Parking An Unlicensed Vehicle Prohibited: No person driving or in charge of a vehicle shall park or permit it to stand on a street, highway, alley or public property unless said vehicle possesses a proper and current vehicle license plate or plates, and such plate or plates are properly mounted thereon in accordance with the State of Washington Department of Licenses Rules and Regulations except as provided in this Chapter. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
G – Q. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
R. Parking In Fire Zone Prohibited: Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the direction of a police officer, fire official, or traffic-control sign, signal or device, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, in a fire zone, whether on public or private property, 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. Vehicles parked in a fire zone are subject to immediate impoundment. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
S. Storage Of Material In A Fire Zone Prohibited: No person shall store materials, wares or merchandise in a fire zone. (Ord. 3312, 4-23-79)
T. Parking Fee Required: Any person who parks a vehicle in a zone where a parking fee is required must deposit the appropriate amount of money in the provided collection box. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
U. Parking Next To Mail Boxes: No person shall park within fifteen feet (15') of any clearly visible residential mail box. (Ord. 5800, 5-2-16; Ord. 5084, 6-21-2004)
10-10-4 PARKING PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY TIME LIMIT, DURING CERTAIN HOURS, OR LIMITED TO HANDICAPPED PERSONS:
A. Overtime: No person shall park a vehicle upon a street or public property for a longer period of time than the limit that is sign posted except as provided in this Chapter.
B. Overtime-Repeated: Each subsequent period of time, as sign posted, lapsing following affixation to a vehicle of a notice of overtime parking shall constitute a separate offense except as provided in this Chapter.
C. Moving Vehicle in Same Block: No person shall move and repark a vehicle within the same block or public property to avoid a time limit regulation specified in that particular area except as provided in this Chapter.
D. Parking Prohibited During Certain Hours: When official signs are erected in each block giving notice thereof no person shall park a vehicle between the hours specified. (Ord. 3552, 6-8-81)
E-F. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
G. Parking Restricted to Handicapped Persons: The unauthorized use of the special card, decal or special license plate, shall include, but not be limited to, its use in or on a vehicle when not actually transporting a disabled person. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90; amd. Ord. 4396, 4-5-93)
H. Permit Parking: The City may designate certain areas in the City for parking by permit only. Said permit parking may regulate parking by day and/or time in the area and/or vehicle occupancy. The regulations shall be designated by signs or markings on the ground or similar method that will communicate the restrictions to drivers intending to park in a restricted area. (Ord. 4517, 5-8-95)
1. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any area designated for permit parking unless that person displays on his/her vehicle the appropriate permit for that designated permit parking area.
2. No person having obtained a permit for parking in a designated area for permit parking shall transfer said permit to another individual for use in a vehicle other than the vehicle registered with the City on the permit application.
3. Permit parking may require a specific permit for a particular area. A person seeking a permit for parking in a designated area for permit parking must register with the City as follows: City employees register with the Personnel Department; residents register with the Customer Services Division of the Public Works Department. Obtaining a permit by any other means shall be an infraction. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90; amd. Ord. 4396, 4-5-93)
4. Permit parking may require a specific permit for a particular area. A person seeking a permit for parking in a designated area for permit parking must register with the City as follows: City employees register with the Personnel Department; residents register with the Development Services Division of the Department of Community and Economic Development. Obtaining a permit by any other means shall be an infraction. (Ord. 4517, 5-8-95; Ord. 5450, 3-2-09)
5. Parking permits for residential street parking shall be limited to one per residence or as authorized by the Public Works Department.
6. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any area designated for permit parking and display on his/her vehicle the appropriate permit for that designated permit parking area unless that vehicle is registered to the permit displayed.
7. Only passenger vehicles and vanpools shall qualify for a permit. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90; amd. Ord. 4396, 4-5-93)
8. No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle displaying a City employee general or carpool parking permit, in a time restricted stall of any parking lot of the Municipal Campus, Liberty Park (including the pool) and the Community Center, for any length of time between the hours of eight o’clock (8:00) A.M. and four thirty o’clock (4:30) P.M., with the exception of thirty (30) minute time restricted stalls. Doing so will subject the vehicle owner to a parking infraction and monetary penalty, according to the fee schedule in effect for parking time restriction violation. Thirty (30) minute stalls may be used by vehicles with City employee parking permits, provided the time limitation is not exceeded. If the time limitation is exceeded, the owner of the vehicle is subject to a parking infraction and monetary penalty for exceeding the thirty (30) minute time restriction. (Ord. 4442, 3-14-94)
I. Moving Vehicle in Same Lot: In parking lots where parking is limited to a period of time, no person shall move or cause to be moved, a vehicle from one such stall to another, where said stalls are in the same lot.
For purposes of this Section, the lot south of and contiguous to City Hall, and the lot south of and contiguous to the City Library are considered as one and the same lot.
J. Where Overtime Parking Permitted:
1. On certain City streets, where parking has been restricted by time limit, residents of the area may obtain one permit per residence for overtime parking. The provisions of permit parking, subsection H, above, shall also apply to overtime parking permits.
2. On certain City streets, where parking has been restricted by time limit, construction contractors who are performing construction duties in the area, may obtain a temporary overtime parking permit. The provisions of permit parking, subsection H, above, shall also apply to this temporary overtime parking permit. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
K. Display: All permits shall be conspicuously displayed on the backmost window of the appropriate vehicle in a location that is clearly and easily visible. (Ord. 4306, 2-11-91)
L. Restricted Location: As to parking on City streets where parking has been restricted by time limit, no person shall move or cause to be moved, a vehicle from one restricted location to another, within a four (4) block radius. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
M. Parking shall be limited in the City Center Parking Garage to the times posted and subject to payment of the parking fees, if any, imposed under City Code Section 5-1-6. Overtime parking or parking in violation of the posted requirements shall be an infraction punishable under Section 10-10-7A. (Ord. 5011, 6-2-03)
10-10-5 STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING OF TRANSIT COACHES AND TAXICABS REGULATED:
A. The operator of a transit coach shall not stand or park same upon any street or public property at any place other than a public carrier zone or stop so designated as provided herein.
B. The operator of a transit coach shall not stop same upon any street or public property at any place for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or baggage other than that at a public carrier zone or stop so designated as provided herein, except in case of emergency. Under special circumstances, exemption from this subsection may be granted by written approval by the Public Works Department.
This provision does not apply to the operation of paratransit services that have obtained the authority to operate within the City by registration with the Public Works Department. (Ord. 4517, 5-8-95; Ord. 5450, 3-2-09)
C. The operator of a transit coach shall enter a public carrier zone or stop on a street in such a manner that the transit coach, when stopped to load or unload passengers or baggage, shall be in a position with the right front wheel of such vehicle not further than eighteen inches (18") from the curb and the transit coach approximately parallel to the curb so as not to impede unduly the movement of other vehicular traffic. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
D. The operator of a taxicab or paratransit vehicle shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street or public property at any place other than in a designated public parking area. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a taxicab from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping 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. (Ord. 4517, 5-8-95)
10-10-6 SIGNS AND/OR MARKINGS REQUIRED:
Whenever by this Chapter or any amendments thereto, or by order of the Public Works Administrator, there is imposed a particular parking time limit or parking restriction or prohibition on any particular street or public property, or in any particular district, it shall be the duty of the Public Works Administrator to erect appropriate signs and/or markings giving notice thereof, and no regulation shall be effective unless said signs are erected and in place at the time of any alleged offense; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to any parking restriction or prohibition that is enforced through the city; and this provision shall not require the sign posting of a fire hydrant, railroad crossing, crosswalk, intersection, travel lane, driveway, bridge, tunnel, cross-hashed barrier or multiple laned street on which curb parking is not specifically authorized by appropriate markings.
A. Number of Signs Required: The number of signs shall be determined on the basis of sight distance impairment.
B. Painted Curbs Required: With exception of fire hydrants, painted curb markings shall not be utilized except in conjunction with appropriate signs.
1. The curbs of all areas designated as fire zones shall be painted red.
2. The curbs of all areas designated as prohibited parking zones or areas and the location of fire hydrants may be painted red. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
3. The curbs of all areas designated as loading zones and school bus zones shall be painted yellow. (Ord. 3990, 5-12-86)
4. The curbs of all areas designated as public carrier zones or stops shall be painted in alternating strips of red and yellow. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77; Ord. 5363, 3-10-08; Ord. 5450, 3-2-09)
10-10-7 PENALTIES:
A. Infraction: Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punished by a penalty of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). The fee schedule for infractions shall be set by the Renton Municipal Court Judge.
B. Late Penalties: Any person having been assessed a penalty for a infraction of this Chapter or Title must pay said penalty in the time provided on the ticket or imposed by the court. A monetary late penalty fee will be imposed for failure to respond and/or pay the fee imposed within the time required. Said late penalty fee will be set by the Renton Municipal Court Judge. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-8 AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS, TIME LIMITS, PARKING ZONES AND APPROPRIATE SIGNS AND/OR MARKINGS:
The Director of Public Works shall hereafter possess the authority and is required to: (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
A. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
B. Designate fire zones, school zones, school bus stops or zones, restricted and prohibited parking zones or areas on such public streets or properties and in such places and in such number as he/she shall determine appropriate. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
C-E. (Rep. by Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
F. Designate all parking time limits. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
G. To designate zones wherein parking fees are required.
H. To install parking fee collection boxes in the established zone wherein parking fees are required.
I. Establish a parking fee schedule and post said schedule in the established zone wherein parking fees are required. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-9 SEVERABILITY:
If any provision of this Chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid the remainder of this Chapter and the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
10-10-10 EMERGENCY POWERS:
The Police Department is hereby authorized to direct all stopping, standing or parking of vehicles, either in person or by means of visible or audible signals, in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter; provided, that when necessary to prevent or eliminate congestion or to safeguard persons or property, such officers may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter. (Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
10-10-11 EXISTING ORDINANCES REPEALED:
The following ordinances and all amendments thereto, insofar as the same are inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter, and all other ordinances or parts thereof, insofar as the same are inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter, are hereby repealed:
1143, 1152, 1155, 1167, 1187, 1194, 1195, 1204, 1224, 1234, 1245, 1258, 1268, 1282, 1305, 1310, 1339, 1364, 1369, 1401, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1425, 1443, 1444, 1454, 1460, 1471, 1484, 1491, 1501, 1540, 1558, 1576, 1578, 1585, 1595, 1605, 1610, 1624, 1668, 1678, 1695, 1852, 1875, 1904, 1936, 1954, 1957, 1992, 1995, 2011, 2012, 2025, 2033, 2089, 2131, 2141, 2181, 2392, 2699, 2726, 2737, 2740, 2746, 2749, 2823, 2928, 2938
(Ord. 3177, 11-21-77)
10-10-12 OVERNIGHT PARKING OF CERTAIN VEHICLES PROHIBITED:
It shall henceforth be unlawful to park within any residential zone (SR-1, SR-2, R-1 through R-4, T and G) within the City from the hours of nine o’clock (9:00) P.M. to six o’clock (6:00) A.M. the following types of vehicles:
A. All types trailers designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle except recreation trailers.
B. Buses and trucks used for business purposes in whole or in part excluding pickup or panel trucks of less than one ton rated capacity. (Ord. 3428, 4-28-80; amd. Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-13 PARKING OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES OR VEHICLES OVER TWELVE THOUSAND POUNDS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT REGULATIONS:
A. Parking; Residential Developments: It shall be unlawful to park any commercially licensed or any vehicle over twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight on any public right-of-way in which all of the adjacent structures are occupied as residential dwellings. Adjacent structures shall mean those structures on the same side of the right-of-way as the area for parking and within the same block.
B. Existing Commercial Developments: On any public right-of-way in which not all of the adjoining structures are developed and occupied as residential units but there are existing developed commercial or business occupancies, parking will be permitted for commercial vehicles or vehicles above twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight only on that portion of the public right-of-way abutting developed commercial or business property. For purposes of this Section, public right-of-way abutting commercial property shall mean that public right-of-way bounded by lines created by the commercial property line extended to where they intersect the public right-of-way and on the same side of the public right-of-way as the commercial property.
C. Hours: Commercial vehicles or vehicles over twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight are prohibited from parking on public right-of-way between the hours of twelve o’clock (12:00) midnight and three o’clock (3:00) A.M. Between the hours of nine o’clock (9:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M. no person shall park a commercial vehicle upon the public right-of-way within five hundred feet (500’) of residential dwellings and permit any motor, engine, compressor or other device to operate for more than ten (10) consecutive minutes or a total of ten (10) minutes within any two (2) hour period.
D. Time Limit: Commercial vehicles or vehicles over twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight are prohibited from parking on public right-of-way for more than two (2) hours.
E. Gross Vehicle Weight: “Gross vehicle weight” is defined in RCW 46.16.111, or as amended.
F. Home Business: For purposes of this Section, any structure or residence enjoying a home business occupancy permit shall be considered a residential occupancy and not a commercial occupancy.
G. Public Right-of-Way: Public right-of-way shall include any dedicated or developed property used or intended for use as public streets, alleys or other means of public ingress, egress or passage whether the property of the City, County or State.
H. Exemptions:
1. Commercial vehicles or vehicles over twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight engaged in deliveries or as support to an ongoing business activity such as construction or moving are exempt from the provision of this Section, but only for the time reasonable and necessary to support the activity or make the delivery.
2. Commercial vehicles typically used for passenger or commuting purposes (sedan, station wagon, small van, small pickups) that are under twelve thousand (12,000) pounds are exempt from the provisions of this Section.
3. Privately owned recreational vehicles and boats shall not be regulated under this Section unless the vehicles are being parked as part of a commercial activity such as repairs, sales or servicing or are being used for a commercial purpose.
4. Utility trucks when owned by a public or quasi-public agency and when the drivers are required by their employment to respond to emergencies. (Ord. 4046, 3-2-87)
I. Trailers and Semi-Trailers: No person may park or stand, or cause to be parked or stood, any trailer to semi-trailer disconnected from a commercial vehicle on any street or public property in the City at any time.
J. Central Business District: A person may park a commercial vehicle in the street in the central business district, under the following conditions:
1. There must be a minimum of two (2) lanes of travel in the same direction;
2. Said person must be loading or unloading merchandise or passengers;
3. Such parking shall not exceed a period of fifteen (15) minutes; and
4. Said parking shall not block more than one lane of travel. (Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
K. Impound: Any vehicle found to be in violation of this Section is declared to be a public nuisance, and such vehicle may be impounded if no operator is present who will immediately comply with this Section. (Ord. 4046, 3-2-87; amd. Ord. 4271, 6-18-90)
10-10-14 EXTENDED UNAUTHORIZED PARKING:
A. No person shall park a vehicle on any street or other municipal property for a period of time longer than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, unless an official posted sign provides a shorter period of time, or unless otherwise provided by law.
B. Authorized vehicles on municipal property are excluded from the provisions of this Section, as are vehicles displaying valid proof of payment when parked in spaces controlled by a parking payment device.
C. Impound: Any vehicle found to be in violation of this Section is declared to be a public nuisance, and such vehicle may be impounded if no operator is present who will immediately comply with this Section.
D. Notice to Owner:
1. A law enforcement officer discovering an unauthorized vehicle left within a highway right-of-way shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification. The notification 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 twenty-four (24) hours 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;
e. The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
2. If the vehicle has current Washington registration plates, the officer shall check the records to learn the identity of the last owner of record. The officer or his department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner by telephone, mail, or in person, in order to give the owner the information on the notification.
3. A vehicle that does not pose a safety hazard may remain on the roadside for more than twenty-four (24) hours if the owner or operator is unable to remove it from the place where it is located and so notifies law enforcement officials and requests assistance. (Ord. 5310, 10-8-07)