Chapter 10.12
PARKING
Sections:
10.12.010 Parking, stopping, or standing prohibited.
10.12.015 Parking for certain purposes unlawful.
10.12.020 Parking for certain vehicles prohibited.
10.12.025 Parking of trailers prohibited.
10.12.030 Parking of recreational vehicles.
10.12.040 Unlicensed vehicle prohibited.
10.12.045 Nonvehicles prohibited.
10.12.050 Parking in alley prohibited.
10.12.055 Parking in designated fire lanes prohibited.
10.12.060 Parking prohibited at all times on designated streets.
10.12.065 Parking limitations – Streets and times.
10.12.070 Limited or prohibited sign required.
10.12.080 Parallel parking – Required.
10.12.090 Prosecution – Prima facie evidence.
10.12.100 Penalty for violation.
10.12.005 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms or words and their derivations shall have the following meanings:
“Alley” shall mean a narrow service way, not less than 20 feet wide, providing a secondary public means of access to abutting properties and dedicated to the city.
“Camp trailer,” “travel trailer” or “fifth wheel” shall mean a structure designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational camping or travel use, constructed with integral wheels to make it mobile and/or towable by a motor vehicle.
“Camper (pickup)” shall mean a structure designed to be mounted on a pickup or truck chassis and with sufficient equipment to render it suitable for use as a temporary dwelling for recreational use, camping or vacation use.
“Fire lane” means an area, as designated by the city, on public or private property reserved for providing fire service access to structures, fire-fighting fixtures, or equipment.
“Improved roadway” means (A) on those streets without curbs, the paved portion of the roadway, plus the graveled shoulder adjacent thereto; and (B) on paved streets with curbs, the pavement between the curbs.
“Maximum gross weight” shall mean the scale weight of any motor vehicle, truck, truck tractor, trailer or semi-trailer or combination thereof to which shall be added a maximum load to be carried thereon, as set by the licensee on his/her application for a license, or as marked on the vehicle, whichever is greater; provided, however, that when the gross weight marked on the side of a truck tractor includes the gross weight of the trailer, which is not then attached to the tractor, then “maximum gross weight” shall mean the scale weight of the truck tractor alone.
“Motor home” shall mean a vehicular type of unit or device, whether licensed or unlicensed, primarily designed as a temporary living quarters for recreation, camping or travel use, which contains its own motive power.
“Nonvehicle” shall mean any object which is not a vehicle as defined in this chapter. A “nonvehicle” includes but is not limited to: construction materials or equipment, dirt, soil, rock, landscaping block or yard materials and debris, recreational items, moving and storage containers and dumpsters. “Nonvehicle” does not include residential size garbage containers as authorized under Chapter 8.04 WRMC.
“Street” means every street, boulevard or avenue or similar way which is publicly maintained, when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, except alleys.
“Street in a residential zone” refers to the situation where the street is bordered on either side by property which is in a residential zone.
“Trailer” shall mean a vehicular structure or device, with or without its own mode of power, licensed or unlicensed, and designed and/or used for the transportation of boats, snowmobiles, other goods, equipment, other vehicles or devices and materials.
“Vehicle” and/or “motor vehicle” includes every device capable of being moved upon a public street and in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public street. The term does not include bicycles or other devices primarily moved by human power. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 18-11 § 1, 2011; Ord. 21-10 § 1, 2010; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998].
10.12.010 Parking, stopping, or standing prohibited.
A. Except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with 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 or within 30 feet of the curb or edge of pavement of an intersecting street measured from the point of intersection of the curb line or the projection of the edge of the pavement;
d. On a marked or unmarked crosswalk and/or adjacent to an ADA ramp;
e. Within 30 feet of a crosswalk within a school zone when properly signposted;
f. On a street in such a manner and under such conditions as to leave available less than 20 feet width of improved roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic.
g. Within 30 feet of the driveway entrance(s) to any elementary, middle, or high school when properly signposted;
h. Upon a street in such a position or in such a manner as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property, unless the person is the owner or occupant of the only property served by the driveway entrance.
i. On a street or within the public right-of-way for more than seven consecutive days.
j. 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;
k. Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;
l. Upon any bridge;
m. Upon any railroad tracks; or
n. At any place where official city signs prohibit stopping;
o. Alongside a signed transit bus stop and or within a signed transit bus stop pull-out.
2. Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers or to pick up or drop off mail from a U.S. Postal Service mailbox or mailbox cluster unit:
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 signposted; or
f. At any place where official city signs prohibit standing.
g. In front of U.S. Postal Service mailbox or mailbox cluster unit.
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:
a. Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; or
b. At any place where official city signs prohibit parking.
B. No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such a distance as is unlawful.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person to reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of a street for the purpose of stopping, standing, or parking to the exclusion of any other like person, nor shall any person be granted such right. [Ord. 24-24 § 1, 2024; Ord. 2-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98, 1998; Ord. 295 § 1, 1979].
10.12.015 Parking for certain purposes unlawful.
A. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle upon any city right-of-way, city or public property for the principal purpose of:
1. Displaying advertising;
2. Displaying such vehicle for sale; or
3. Selling merchandise from such vehicle, except when expressly authorized through the issuance of an appropriate permit by the city.
B. No person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle upon any city right-of-way, city or public property for the principal purpose of changing oil, greasing, lubricating or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency, except that in no case may traffic safety or access be impeded for more time than is necessary to remove the vehicle from the roadway.
C. No person shall park a commercial vehicle (truck tractor, hitched or unhitched semi-tractor trailer, utility truck, truck, van or recreational vehicle) in any residential, commercial, or industrial zone or upon any public right-of-way within 500 feet of residential dwellings and permit any motor, engine, compressor, or other device to operate between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 4-03 § 1, 2003; Ord. 20-01 § 1, 2001].
10.12.020 Parking for certain vehicles prohibited.
Excluding recreational vehicles, no vehicle with a maximum gross weight of 12,000 pounds or more and/or with a length in excess of 24 feet or a width in excess of eight feet six inches (rear vision mirrors which extend no more than five inches beyond the extreme limits of the body of the vehicle shall not be included within the eight feet six inches) shall park upon any street or right-of-way in any area of the city zoned residential; provided, however, that parking in these zones may be permitted in the course of making deliveries, loading or unloading, and provided further, that such parking for the purpose of making deliveries, loading or unloading shall not exceed 12 hours in any 24-hour period. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 2, 1979].
10.12.025 Parking of trailers prohibited.
No trailer shall be parked, stored or maintained upon any street, right-of-way, or other public area for a period longer than 24 hours in a seven-day period, while the trailer is detached from the towing vehicle; provided, that a trailer and towing vehicle so parked must not be in violation of any other parking restriction. West Richland police department trailers are exempt from the time limitation on trailer parking. All other parking related laws are required to be observed. [Ord. 34-14 § 1, 2014; Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012].
10.12.030 Parking of recreational vehicles.
No motor home, camp trailer, travel trailer, fifth wheel, unmounted camper or trailer, as defined herein, shall be parked, stored or maintained upon any street, right-of-way or other public area, except such items, if owned or authorized by the property owner, may be parked in the public right-of-way immediately in front of and adjacent to the owner’s property for a period not to exceed 36 hours in a seven-day period; provided, that the item so parked must not be in violation of any other parking restriction. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 3, 1979].
10.12.040 Unlicensed vehicle prohibited.
It is unlawful to park any unlicensed vehicle upon any street or alley. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 4, 1979].
10.12.045 Nonvehicles prohibited.
No “nonvehicle” shall be allowed to be placed, parked, piled or stored on any city street, sidewalk, alley or within an improved portion of the public right-of-way within the city limits of the city of West Richland.
A. The city engineer, or designee, may issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to temporarily allow a “nonvehicle” to be placed, parked, piled or stored within the public road right-of-way of the city of West Richland. The city engineer, or designee, may condition said permit to protect the health and safety of the citizens of the city of West Richland and integrity of the city curb, sidewalk and improved road right-of-way. No permit shall be issued to place, park or store construction materials or equipment, dirt, soil, rock, landscaping block or yard materials and debris or recreational items.
B. The permit fee shall be as set by city council in the master fee schedule.
C. City or franchised utilities and city-approved maintenance activity and capital projects are exempt.
D. Nonvehicle items placed, parked, piled or stored on any city street, sidewalk, alley or within any public right-of-way within the city limits of the city of West Richland shall be considered abandoned by the property owner and may be removed and disposed of by the city of West Richland at the property owner’s expense. In addition to fines and fees, violators may be charged for actual damages to city of West Richland property. [Ord. 11-14 § 3 (Att. C), 2014; Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 18-11 § 2, 2011].
10.12.050 Parking in alley prohibited.
It is unlawful to park any vehicle in any alley, except for loading and unloading purposes. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 5, 1979].
10.12.055 Parking in designated fire lanes prohibited.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to stop, stand or park any motor vehicle, whether occupied or not, within a designated fire lane, except:
1. When under explicit direction of a police or fire official;
2. When stopping is momentary in nature and is for the immediate pick-up or discharge of passengers and during such time the vehicle is attended; or
3. While the vehicle is stopped for the actual loading or unloading of property and during such time the vehicle is attended.
B. Each fire lane shall be conspicuously marked by sign, painted surface, or both. Signs shall have a white background with red lettering, and be posted between two and one-half feet and eight feet from the ground. Signs shall be required at both ends of the designated zone. Painted surfaces shall be red or yellow in color and must clearly denote the area designated as a fire lane.
C. Penalties. Any person, firm or corporation found to have committed a violation of this section shall be fined the sum of $50.00. Any vehicle found in violation of this section may also be subject to impoundment upon the order of the police chief, the fire chief or their designees. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 21-10 § 2, 2010].
10.12.060 Parking prohibited at all times on designated streets.
It is unlawful, when signs are erected giving notice thereof, for any person to park a vehicle at any time upon any of the following streets, parts of streets, access easements and/or road rights-of-way:
A. Arena Road from Kennedy Road to Dallas Road.
B. Aria Court from Paradise Way north 200 feet to the end of the roadway.
C. Augusta Street from South 39th Avenue west a distance of 375 feet.
D. Belmont Boulevard from 1,600 feet south of Keene Road to Van Giesen.
E. Bombing Range Road from West Van Giesen Street to Kennedy Road.
F. Butte Court (east side/Yakima River frontage) beginning 300 feet east of the intersection of Butte Court and South 38th Avenue south a distance of 465 feet along the Yakima River frontage to the end of roadway.
G. Butte Street from South 39th Avenue west a distance of 335 feet.
H. Champion Avenue (east side) from Mt. Adams View Drive south to Bombing Range Road Sports Complex parking lot.
I. Charger Court from Keene Road south 350 feet to end of the roadway.
J. Cooperative Way from Keene Road south 800 feet to end of the roadway.
K. Dallas Road from Kennedy Road to south city limits (Arena Road).
L. Deer Street (north side) from Grosscup Boulevard to North 62nd Avenue and (south side) from North 58th Avenue to North 59th Avenue.
M. Dodge Street from South 35th Avenue to South 38th Avenue.
N. Fallon Drive from westernmost intersection with West Van Giesen Street north a distance of 240 feet.
O. Fallon Place from North 46th Avenue to Fallon Drive.
P. Gray Street (south side) from Grosscup Boulevard to North 62nd Avenue.
Q. Grosscup Boulevard from West Van Giesen Street to North 62nd Avenue.
R. Harrington Road from North 62nd Avenue to Twin Bridges.
S. Keene Road from east city limits to Ruppert Road.
T. Kennedy Road from east city limits to west city limits.
U. Mt. Adams View Drive from Iris Street to east city limits.
V. North 46th Avenue from West Van Giesen Street north a distance of 180 feet.
W. North 62nd Avenue from West Van Giesen Street to 320 feet south of Gray Street.
X. Northlake Drive from Bombing Range Road southeast a distance of 275 feet.
Y. Paradise Way from Bombing Range Road to Keene Road.
Z. South Highlands Boulevard from Keene Road to Kirkwood Lane.
AA. South 35th Avenue from Everett Street north a distance of 560 feet to the end of the cul-de-sac.
BB. South 38th Avenue from West Van Giesen Street to South 39th Avenue.
CC. South 38th Avenue (east side) from West Van Giesen Street to Grant Street.
DD. South 38th Avenue (east side and west side) from Columbia Irrigation Canal to 150 feet south of Orchard Street.
EE. South 38th Avenue (west side) from Grant Street north 165 feet.
FF. South 38th Avenue (west side) from West Van Giesen Street south a distance of 320 feet.
GG. South 39th Avenue from Grant Street north 250 feet to the end of the roadway.
HH. South 39th Avenue (west side) from West Van Giesen Street to Butte Street.
II. South 41st Avenue (west side) from West Van Giesen Street south a distance of 175 feet.
JJ. South 41st Avenue (east side) from West Van Giesen Street south a distance of 165 feet. [Ord. 24-24 § 2, 2024; Ord. 25-22 § 1, 2022; Ord. 16-22 § 1, 2022; Ord. 27-20 § 1, 2020; Ord. 6-20 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1-20 § 1, 2020; Ord. 34-19 § 1, 2019; Ord. 27-19 § 1, 2019; Ord. 13-19 § 2, 2019; Ord. 26-18 § 1, 2018; Ord. 13-17 § 1, 2017; Ord. 11-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 25-14 § 1, 2014; Ord. 21-14 § 1, 2014; Ord. 15-14 § 1, 2014; Ord. 28-13 § 1, 2013; Ord. 22-13 § 1, 2013; Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 22-11 § 1, 2011; Ord. 3-09 § 1, 2009; Ord. 36-08 § 1, 2008; Ord. 20-08 § 1, 2008; Ord. 29-05 § 1, 2005; Ord. 19-05 § 1, 2005; Ord. 9-05 § 1, 2005; Ord. 29-02 § 1, 2002; Ord. 29-01 § 1, 2001; Ord. 11-00 § 1, 2000; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 6, 1979].
10.12.065 Parking limitations – Streets and times.
A. Front-In Parking Only. The vehicle parking on the following described streets shall be only allowed as front-in or nose-in parking as appropriately designated by signs and/or street markings. Vehicles parked in such locations must be parked with the front of the vehicle to the curb and remain within the designated spaces. Vehicles are prohibited from utilizing more than one space for any vehicle or combination of vehicles. Parking is limited to 24 hours. Streets subject to this limitation are:
1. Butte Court (west side) from end of roadway north a distance of 100 feet. [Ord. 25-14 § 2, 2014; Ord. 28-13 § 2, 2013].
10.12.070 Limited or prohibited sign required.
Whenever any parking time is limited or prohibited on a designated street, in accordance with the provisions of WRMC 10.12.060, it shall be the duty of the mayor or his duly appointed representative to erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof. No such regulation shall be effective unless such sign is erected and in place at the time of any alleged offense. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 7, 1979].
10.12.080 Parallel parking – Required.
Except as otherwise provided, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way street, or cul-de-sac, shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or the right-hand edge of the right shoulder of the roadway. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 295 § 8, 1979].
10.12.090 Prosecution – Prima facie evidence.
In any prosecution charging a violation of any law or regulation governing the standing or parking of a vehicle, proof that the particular vehicle described in the complaint was parked in violation of any such law or regulation, together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was, at the time of said parking, the registered owner of such vehicle, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the registered owner of such vehicle was the person who parked or placed such vehicle at the point where and for the time during which the violation occurred. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998; Ord. 42-95 § 7, 1995; Ord. 295 § 9, 1979].
10.12.100 Penalty for violation.
Every person, firm or corporation found to have committed a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed an infraction and:
A. Shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50.00 for each such infraction. A violation of this chapter, which continues for more than 72 hours, shall constitute a separate offense hereunder, and for each additional 72 continuous hours thereafter, an additional separate offense.
B. No person may impound, tow or otherwise disturb any unauthorized vehicle standing on nonresidential private property or in a public parking facility for less than 24 hours unless a sign is posted near each entrance and on the property in a clearly conspicuous and visible location to all who park on such property that clearly indicates:
1. The times a vehicle may be impounded as an unauthorized vehicle; and
2. The name, telephone number, and address of the towing firm where the vehicle may be redeemed. [Ord. 28-12 § 1 (Att. A), 2012; Ord. 32-01 § 1, 2001; Ord. 20-01 § 2, 2001; Ord. 33-98 § 1, 1998].