As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated by the context in which the term is used. Terms not defined herein shall be interpreted using the meaning they have in common usage and to give this chapter its most reasonable application.
1. 
"Class 1 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 pounds or less as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Figure 9-2 is included as an attachment to this title.
2. 
"Class 2 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,001 pounds to 10,000 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
3. 
"Class 3 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds to 14,000 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
4. 
"Class 4 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,001 pounds to 16,000 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
5. 
"Class 5 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,001 pounds to 19,500 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
6. 
"Class 6 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19,501 pounds to 26,000 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
7. 
"Class 7 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds to 33,000 pounds as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
8. 
"Class 8 vehicle"
means vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds or more as indicated in official state records. See Figure 9-2.
9. 
"Pick-up truck"
means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained for carrying, pulling or transporting property, typically with an enclosed cab and an open bed and low sides and a tailgate, and may be used with or without a canopy covering the bed.
10. 
"Recreational vehicle"
means travel trailer, motorhome, fifth-wheel trailer, or similar vehicles used for temporary accommodations while traveling. “Recreational vehicles” also includes boats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles and the like.
11. 
"Trailer"
means every vehicle without motive power designed for being drawn by or used in conjunction with a motor vehicle, constructed so that no appreciable part of its weight rests upon or is carried by such motor vehicle, whether attached or unattached to a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to semitrailers and pole trailers. “Small trailer” is defined as any trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 16,000 pounds as indicated in official state records.
(Ord. 2494 § 5, 2016)
No person shall park a vehicle within a City alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available 10 feet of the roadway for the free movement of vehicular and emergency traffic, and no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle within a City alley in such a position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property.
(Ord. 2494 § 6, 2016; Ord. 2704 § 1, 2023)
A. 
Generally.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any garage, City of Tukwila park, parking area, or other property operated by the City, where signs prohibit or restrict such stopping, standing or parking without lawful authority or permission.
B. 
Municipal Parks and Trails.
No person shall stand, stop or park a vehicle in any municipal park or trail areas except in areas designated for such purposes. No person shall stand, stop or park any vehicle in a parking stall designated for a municipal park or trail area for a period of time exceeding the maximum amount of time permitted as posted or, if a time limit is not posted, for a period of time exceeding 6 hours, without lawful permission or authority.
(Ord. 2494 § 7, 2016; Ord. 2704 § 2, 2023)
A. 
Generally.
No person shall stop, park, leave standing, or store any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, on any street or highway within the City for more than 72 hours.
B. 
Restricted Parking.
Any street with a sign denoting limited hours for parking shall be restricted for general street parking. The street or area shall be marked by a sign clearly indicating limited hours for parking.
(Ord. 2494 § 9, 2016; Ord. 2704 § 3, 2023)
A. 
Except where necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the law or the directions of a law enforcement officer, no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle:
1. 
In front of a public or private driveway or within 5 feet of the end of the radius leading thereto.
2. 
In a place that restricts vehicular access to mailboxes.
3. 
In any place where official signs prohibit parking.
4. 
In such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular and emergency traffic.
5. 
When signs are displayed giving notice thereof, on one or both sides of a street where parking is prohibited.
6. 
On cul-de-sacs when such action reduces the radius of the cul-de-sac to less than 35 feet.
7. 
Wrong way parking: To facilitate the safe flow of traffic entering a lane of travel, vehicles parked along the curb or on a City right-of-way must be parked facing the direction of vehicle travel for that lane of travel.
B. 
Any vehicle stopped, parked, stored, or left unattended on any street, alley or highway within the City without a valid and current registration record (a license plate issued by any of the United States), and with the expiration of said registration confirmed through checking the license plate attached to the vehicle, or the VIN number of the vehicle, through the applicable State Department of Licensing, shall be subject to immediate issuance of a notice of infraction without regard to the length of time the vehicle has been stopped, parked, stored, or left unattended.
C. 
It is unlawful for any person to alter or remove a mark placed upon a vehicle by a law enforcement officer to monitor and enforce the parking time limits in this chapter when the alteration or removal is intended to extend the period of parking time authorized.
D. 
Re-parking the vehicle in the same block to avoid a time limit regulation is a violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 2494 § 10, 2016; Ord. 2704 § 4, 2023)
A. 
Application.
This section shall apply to any vehicle Class 5 or greater, trailers and recreational vehicles.
B. 
Except as provided for in this section, no person shall park any vehicle Class 5 or greater, trailer or recreational vehicle on any street, alley or public right-of-way in the City.
C. 
Exceptions.
The parking prohibitions outlined in this section do not apply to the following:
1. 
Stopping or parking while in the process of actively loading or unloading provided that vision and traffic flow are not obstructed.
2. 
Stopping or parking while actively engaged in a construction or utility project, or while actively engaged in business with a property owner or tenant in the immediate vicinity.
3. 
Stopping or parking school buses for a period of three hours during the days and hours when students are in school or during school-related special events, provided that vision and traffic flow are not obstructed.
4. 
Stopping or parking recreational vehicles and small trailers in residential areas as regulated by TMC Section 9.20.090.
5. 
Stopping or parking authorized emergency vehicles.
(Ord. 2494 § 11, 2016)
A. 
Application.
This section shall apply to Class 3 vehicles and Class 4 vehicles.
B. 
No person shall park any vehicle subject to this section on or along any street, alley or public right-of-way in a residential zoning district of the City; provided that this restriction shall not apply to pick-up trucks falling within the Class 3 vehicle rating.
C. 
As used in this section, a street, alley or public right-of-way in a residential zoning district of the City shall be as defined and described in TMC Chapter 18.08, including the Community Residential (CR) zone, and the High Density Residential (HDR) zone. Mixed-use zoning districts shall not constitute a residential zoning district of the City for the purposes hereof. In order for a street, alley or public right-of-way to be considered in a residential zoning district of the City, the property on both sides of the roadway shall be zoned CR, and/or HDR.
D. 
Exceptions.
The parking prohibitions outlined in this section do not apply to the following:
1. 
Pick-up trucks falling within the Class 3 vehicle rating.
2. 
Stopping or parking recreational vehicles in residential areas as regulated by TMC Section 9.20.090.
(Ord. 2494 § 12, 2016; Ord. 2763, 6/9/2025)
A. 
Application.
This section shall apply to parking recreational vehicles and small trailers on City streets in residential zones.
B. 
Recreational vehicles and small trailers may be parked on any City street, alley or public right-of-way in any residential zone in the City for a period of up to 24 hours.
C. 
Recreational vehicles may be stored or parked on private property as specified in TMC Section 18.56.065.
(Ord. 2494 § 13, 2016; Ord. 2545 § 1, 2017)
No person shall stop, park, leave standing, or store any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, on any street or highway within the City, where such vehicle obstructs visibility or sight distance in such a manner as to jeopardize public safety.
(Ord. 2494 § 14, 2016)
A. 
The Public Works Department or designee is authorized to place and maintain traffic control devices, including signs indicating parking restrictions, as deemed necessary to regulate, warn, or guide traffic under any parking or travel on roadways, highways and intersections in the City.
B. 
For the purpose of issuing infractions under TMC Chapter 9.20, the Chief of Police may designate other individuals, including individuals not commissioned as police officers, to enforce TMC Chapter 9.20 and to issue citations to violators as provided therein.
(Ord. 2494 § 15, 2016)
A. 
Violations of the provisions of TMC Chapter 9.20 are parking infractions punishable by monetary penalties as set forth in the below table, and/or impoundment pursuant to this section.
B. 
Delinquent Fee Authorized.
Unpaid parking violations will incur a $25.00 late fee following 30 days from the date of violation or upon failure to comply with a time pay agreement.
Type of Parking Violation
Penalty
Unsafe parking on roadway (TMC Section 9.20.100)
$150
Parking on municipal property (TMC Section 9.20.030)
$30
Parking large vehicles, trailers and recreational vehicles on City streets (TMC Section 9.20.070)
1st violation: $30
2nd violation: $50
3rd or subsequent violation: $75
Parking over time limits on City streets and highways (TMC Section 9.20.050)
$20
Any parking violations not otherwise specified
$48
C. 
Impound Authorized.
Any vehicle parked on any City right-of-way or City owned, leased or operated property in violation of TMC Chapter 9.20 is subject to citation by a law enforcement officer and/or impoundment in accordance with this chapter by the law enforcement officer or a public official having jurisdiction over the right-of-way or property upon which the vehicle is located.
D. 
Immediate Impound.
Vehicles parked in violation of TMC Chapter 9.20 are subject to immediate impound under the following circumstances:
1. 
When the vehicle is impeding the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
2. 
When the vehicle is parked in violation of a parking restriction sign or when the vehicle is interfering, or is likely to interfere, with the intended use of the restricted parking zone; or
3. 
When the vehicle poses an immediate danger to public safety.
E. 
Other Impound.
A vehicle not subject to immediate impoundment under TMC Section 9.20.120.C may be impounded for violating any provision of TMC Chapter 9.20. A notice of impoundment shall be securely attached to, and conspicuously displayed on, the vehicle for a period of 72 hours prior to impoundment. The notice shall include:
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 72 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.
5. 
The address and telephone number where additional information may be obtained.
F. 
Post-Impoundment Redemption and Hearing.
1. 
Not more than 24 hours after impounding a vehicle, the tow operator shall send by first class mail to the last known registered and legal owners of the vehicle (1) a notice containing the full particulars of the impoundment, the redemption procedure, and the opportunity for a hearing to contest the validity of the impoundment pursuant to RCW 46.55.120(2), and forms for requesting the hearing. The tow operator also shall give the notice and forms to any person redeeming the vehicle within the 24-hour period.
2. 
The registered or legal owner of the vehicle may request a hearing in Tukwila Municipal Court to contest the validity of the impoundment. The request for a hearing shall be made on the form provided by the tow operator, and shall be received by the Tukwila Municipal Court within 10 days (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) of the date on which the notice and forms were mailed. If the request for such a hearing is not received by the Tukwila Municipal Court within the 10-day period, the right to a hearing shall be deemed waived and the registered and legal owners shall be liable for any towing, storage and other charges authorized by RCW 46.55.063.
3. 
The procedures for redemption of an impounded vehicle and for the hearing to contest the validity of an impoundment shall be in accordance with Chapter 46.55 RCW.
G. 
Costs.
Any costs incurred in the removal and storage of an impounded vehicle shall be a lien upon the vehicle. All towing and storage charges on that impounded vehicle shall be paid by the owner or his/her agent if the vehicle is redeemed. Either a registered or legal owner may claim an impounded vehicle by payment of all charges that have accrued at the time of reclamation. If the vehicle was impounded at the direction of a law enforcement agency, the person in possession of the vehicle prior to the time of reclamation shall notify such agency of the fact that the vehicle has been claimed, and by whom.
H. 
Nonexclusive Remedies.
The impounding of a vehicle shall not preclude charging the violator with any violation of the law on account of which such vehicle was impounded.
I. 
Contract with Registered Disposer to Dispose of Vehicles and Hulks—Compliance Required.
1. 
The City may contract with any tow truck operator who is engaged in removing and storing of vehicles and who is registered as a registered disposer of certain automobile hulks, abandoned junk motor vehicles and abandoned vehicles.
2. 
Any registered disposer under contract to the City for the removing and storing of vehicles or hulks shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations, including Chapter 46.55 RCW and the administrative regulations relative to the handling and disposing of vehicles or hulks as may be promulgated by the Police Chief or the Director of the Washington State Department of Licensing.
(Ord. 2494 § 16, 2016; Ord. 2704 § 5, 2023)