Knowing when and where to park can make a difference in the daily lives of local drivers. These codes protect disabled parking spots for those who need them. Knowledge of these important codes also helps drivers avoid fines and having their cars towed.
These are some of the laws that govern parking in public lots and in private spaces in Washington State.
Washington State Public Parking Law Violations
Parking can be a tricky task in the city and in other heavy traffic spots. It’s a frustrating job, especially when people don’t park correctly or take advantage of special parking when they aren’t supposed to.
Washington’s Administrative Code (WAC) explains where people should park and where they shouldn’t.
WAC 132N-156-550 – Washington Public Parking Violations
No person shall stop, place, or park a vehicle at any place where official signs, curbs, or pavement markings prohibit parking, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, or at any place for which the vehicle does not have a valid parking permit. Any vehicle not parked in a parking stall shall be considered illegally parked.
People who park poorly are actually breaking the law. The code above mentions the violation:
(3) Parking any vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct, impede, hinder, or prevent the use of another parking space. This violation includes, but is not limited to, parking over the line, parking an oversized vehicle in a space too small, allowing part of a vehicle to protrude into another space, and parking too close to another vehicle.
Those are the basics, but the code goes further to list specific no-nos for Washington drivers roaming around looking for parking.
These are a few of the highlights that can get drivers cited:
- Must be at least 15 feet from a hydrant (mentioned above)
- Cannot block vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- Can’t allow car alarm to sound for long periods of time (false alarms)
- No parking overnight without authorization
- No use of parked vehicle for habitation without authorization
- Can’t park in a metered spot without paying the meter
- Can’t park in a spot where electric cars charge while not actively charging
- Drivers must have permission to park on private property
- Drivers cannot provide false information to secure a disabled parking placard. Drivers should never use a parking place reserved for the disabled without a placard. Drivers also shouldn’t block the space beside a disabled parking place set aside to allow the disabled to enter and exit their vehicles. More guidance is found at RCW 19.050
You can find out more about using a disabled parking placard from the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Spokane Public Parking Laws
Spokane has its own parking codes that may supersede Washington State’s Codes.
Spokane Municipal Code (SMC) mandates how long a passenger vehicle can stay in one space.
SMC Section 16A.05.310 Maximum Time Parked in Space
- No person shall stop, stand, or park a passenger vehicle, as defined in SMC 16A.04.100, for a continuous seventy-two (72) hour period on any one block face upon any public right-of-way in this City located within any area not inclusive of the Paid Parking Zone (SMC 16A.04.100), unless a City-approved posted sign provides a shorter period of time.
Generally, Spokane’s public spaces downtown must be paid for from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can learn more about parking fees here.
Spokane doesn’t allow car owners to park and maintain or repair their vehicles unless it’s an emergency situation.
SMC Section 16A.05.480 Vehicle Repairs
No person shall stand or park a vehicle upon any public right-of-way for lubricating or repairing the vehicle, except repairs necessitated by emergency.
KREM2-TV also confirms that vehicles cannot park on a street facing against the flow of traffic.
You can read through a long list of parking codes for Spokane here.
Private Parking Lot Violations
Drivers and passengers with disabilities are protected in private parking spots, too.
Drivers without the proper placards or license plate designations are not allowed to park in spots reserved for disabled people in private parking lots and spaces.
RCW 46.19.050
(4) Parking without placard/plate. It is a parking infraction, with a monetary penalty of two hundred fifty dollars, for any person to park a vehicle in a parking place provided on private property without charge or on public property reserved for persons with physical disabilities without a placard or special license plate issued under this chapter.
Spokane City Codes also go into detail on what residential parking places should be and where they should be located. These codes even go into home garage parking.
- Parking Space Sizes
A parking space must be at least nine feet by eighteen feet. The minimum driveway width on private property is nine feet.
You can find out more about Spokane’s residential parking laws here.
Contact a Spokane Car Accident Lawyer If You Are Hurt in a Collision
If you are struck by a driver in a parking lot or your accident is caused by a driver who didn’t obey parking laws, and your injuries are serious, you should speak to a lawyer.
Your case may be worth much more than you think, and you may require more injury support than you’ve been told. CCD Law’s Spokane Car Accident Lawyers offer free case consultations to all injured victims.
There’s no obligation, but if you require our help to earn more in an accident settlement, you don’t need any money to hire us. CCD Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement money that a car insurance company must pay you.