Chapter 10.32
PARKING
Sections:
10.32.010 Restricted parking – Street storage.
10.32.020 Restricted parking – Daisy Street.
10.32.045 Right to contest impound.
10.32.050 Parking in a fire lane or near hydrant – Restrictions and penalties.
10.32.070 Driving on sidewalk prohibited – Exception.
10.32.010 Restricted parking – Street storage.
A. No person shall park any vehicle upon any public street, alley, or way or leave such vehicle in the same public place for a period exceeding 72 hours.
B. Police officers or persons designated by the chief of police are authorized to mark vehicles parked from time to time to aid in enforcement of the parking ordinances. Such mark shall be by chalk upon the tires of the vehicles or by some other convenient method, but which will not be injurious to or damage such vehicle. The marks placed upon any such vehicle shall not be interfered with, concealed, obliterated or erased by any person other than a police officer or an enforcement officer of the city while the same shall remain parked or standing at the place where marked. The standing or parking under the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed continuous despite any movement of the vehicle unless the vehicle is moved sufficiently to pass through or across a minimum of three street intersections. Such movement is deemed to be the termination of any parking or standing period.
C. A law enforcement officer discovering an unauthorized vehicle left within city limits after 72 hours shall attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification sticker. The sticker shall contain the following information:
1. The date and time the sticker was attached;
2. The identity of the officer;
3. A statement that, if the vehicle is not removed within 24 hours from the time the sticker is attached, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner’s expense;
4. A statement that, if the vehicle is not redeemed as provided in RCW 46.55.120, the registered owner will have committed the traffic infraction of littering – abandoned vehicle; and
5. The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
D. 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 or her department shall make a reasonable effort to contact the owner by telephone in order to give the owner the information on the notification sticker.
E. If the vehicle is not removed within 24 hours from the time the notification sticker is attached, the law enforcement officer may take custody of the vehicle and provide for the vehicle’s removal to a place of safety. A vehicle that does not pose a safety hazard may remain on the roadside for no more than 72 hours if the owner or operator is unable to remove it from the place where it is located and so notifies Soap Lake law enforcement officials and requests assistance. If the additional 48 hours is requested and granted, and the vehicle is not removed after the additional requested 48 hours, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner’s expense.
F. For the purposes of this section, a place of safety includes the business location of a registered tow truck operator. (Ord. 1234 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1055 § 1, 2006).
10.32.020 Restricted parking – Daisy Street.
It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to park for longer than two hours on Daisy Street (North or South), from 6th Ave SE to 4th Ave NE, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. of any day when signs are erected in each block giving notice thereof. Any person violating this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.30 SLMC and shall be subject to a C-20 monetary penalty. (Ord. 1308 § 1, 2020).
10.32.040 Restricted parking.
A. On those streets which in the opinion of the public works superintendent are too narrow to permit the safe passage of vehicles while other vehicles are parked on the street, the public works superintendent shall have the authority to recommend the adoption by the city council of a resolution prohibiting parking on one or both sides of those streets. Upon approval of a resolution prohibiting such parking by the city council, the public works superintendent shall post appropriate signs and the police department shall begin enforcement of the parking restriction.
B. No person shall park other than parallel to the curbing or shoulder of the roadway of a cul-de-sac or dead end road unless such parking is officially marked and/or designated.
C. Any person violating this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.30 SLMC and shall be subject to a C-20 monetary penalty. (Ord. 1328 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1234 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1072 § 1, 2007).
10.32.045 Right to contest impound.*
Any vehicle owner may contest an impound under this chapter pursuant to RCW 46.55.120(2) as now enacted or hereafter amended. (Ord. 1234 § 1, 2016).
* Code reviser’s note: Ord. 1234 adds the provisions of this section as 10.32.040. The section has been editorially renumbered to prevent duplication of numbering.
10.32.050 Parking in a fire lane or near hydrant – Restrictions and penalties.
A. It shall be unlawful to park a motor vehicle in any area designated a fire lane by the fire chief or designee, or any restricted parking area so designated by a red curb or signage, except for fire department, police department, or public works vehicles in the performance of official duties, and except for vehicles parked pursuant to directions from an emergency services provider during an emergency event.
B. It shall be unlawful to park a motor vehicle within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
C. Any person violating this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.30 SLMC and shall be subject to a C-20 monetary penalty. (Ord. 1328 § 2, 2022; Ord. 1267 § 1, 2018).
10.32.060 Wrong-way parking.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder.
B. Except when otherwise provided by local ordinance, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a one-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway, in the direction of authorized traffic movement, with its right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder, or with its left-hand wheels within 12 inches of the left-hand curb or as close as practicable to the left edge of the left-hand shoulder.
C. Any person violating this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.30 SLMC and shall be subject to a C-20 monetary penalty. (Ord. 1292 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1267 § 1, 2018).
10.32.070 Driving on sidewalk prohibited – Exception.
No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a “designated driveway” as defined in Chapter 8.36 SLMC. Any person violating this section shall be subject to enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1.30 SLMC and shall be subject to a C-20 monetary penalty. (Ord. 1292 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1267 § 1, 2018).