Parking Fines, Parking Permits, and Other Parking Issues

Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 April 2018 14:31

The State of Washington authorizes local entities to establish fines for civil parking infractions. The purpose of parking infraction enforcement is to encourage and gain compliance with parking regulations. The City establishes parking infraction fine amounts by Resolution. The last time that there were any parking fine increases was in 2000.  Low fine amounts do little to gain compliance. 

According to a survey conducted in October 2017 of thirteen similarly sized entities in Washington and Idaho, Pullman parking infraction fines fall well below the averages. Pullman PD staff are recommending increases to these fine amounts, aligning more closely with rates used by other cities.  

Staff recommendations for City Council consideration include: 

Establishment of a progressive fine structure for downtown overtime parking, illegal parking in a municipal lot, parking without a residential permit, parking in a fire lane, and parking too near a fire hydrant; and repealing the chain parking violation

Discounts for speedy payment

Late fees for infractions paid after the due date

Increased fees for immobilization of nuisance vehicles

Decreasing the timeline required for declaring a vehicle a nuisance

Reducing the number of delinquency notices and sending unpaid infractions to collections earlier

Increasing fees for annual parking permits in downtown lots and Restricted Residential Parking Areas

Repealing the yellow curb parking violation

Reducing the length of time that a vehicle can be legally stored on the street, and expanding the enforcement area to include all municipal parking lots

Granting authority to the Public Works Director to establish parking regulations in all municipal parking lots, including parks, City Hall, etc.

Restricting parking in City park lots between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.

 

Discussion will take place during the April 17 meeting of the Pullman City Council. Those wishing to express their opinions are invited to appear in person, or provide input to the Police Department ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), which will be shared with Council.  

 

 Pullman Police Department Staff Report to City Council

 Parking Fines Survey (Attachment A)

 Parking Infraction Timeline (Attachment B)