The following definitions are applicable in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:
“Block”
means the area comprised of properties along each side of a street between two intersections.
“Bus”
means every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten passengers and used for transportation of persons, and every motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.
“Bus stop”
means a fixed portion of the highway parallel and adjacent to the curb to be reserved exclusively for buses for layover in operating schedules or while waiting for, loading, or unloading passengers; provided, that such bus provides regularly scheduled service within the jurisdiction of the local authority.
“Commercial vehicle”
means any vehicle the principal use of which is the transportation of commodities, wood chips, refuse, merchandise, produce, freight, animals, or passengers for hire, or commercial equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and similar construction equipment.
“Crosswalk”
means the portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ten feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crosswalk. RCW 46.04.160 as enacted or hereinafter amended is hereby adopted by reference as if fully set forth herein.
“Director”
means director of public works or other department director authorized by the mayor to enforce this chapter, or their designee.
“Legal owner”
means a person having a security interest in a vehicle perfected in accordance with Chapter 46.12 RCW or the registered owner of a vehicle unencumbered by a security interest or a lessor of a vehicle unencumbered by a security interest. RCW 46.04.270 as enacted or hereinafter amended is hereby adopted by reference as if fully set forth herein.
“Loading zone”
means a space reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles during the loading or unloading of property.
“Park” or “parking”
means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers.
“Parking zone”
means any continuous section on the same street or either side of the street having the same parking time restriction.
“Passenger load only zone”
means a place reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles while receiving or discharging passengers.
“Planting strips”
means that portion of the roadway lying between the constructed curb, or edge of the roadway, and the property line exclusive of the sidewalk area.
“Private road or driveway”
includes every way or place in private ownership and used for travel of vehicles by the owner or those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
“Recreational vehicle”
means a travel trailer, motor home, truck camper, or camping trailer that is primarily designed and used as temporary living quarters, is either self-propelled or mounted on or drawn by another vehicle, is transient and is not immobilized or permanently affixed to a mobile home lot.
“Right-of-way” or “street”
means any highway, avenue, lane, road, drive, place, boulevard, alley, right-of-way, way, sidewalk, planting or parking strip, shoulder and every way or place in the city of Poulsbo open as a matter of right to public vehicular travel or parking or other similar public use.
“School bus zone”
means a designated portion of the roadway along the curb reserved for loading and unloading school buses during designated hours.
“Semi-trailer”
includes every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by a vehicle, motor vehicle, or truck tractor and so constructed that an appreciable part of its weight rests upon or is carried by such motor vehicle, but does not include a municipal transit vehicle or recreational vehicle.
“Sidewalk”
means that property between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a roadway and the adjacent property, set aside and intended for the use of pedestrians or such portion of private property parallel and in proximity to a public roadway and dedicated to use by pedestrians.
“Stand” or “standing”
means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
“Stop” or “stopping,”
when prohibited, means any halting even momentarily of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or when in compliance with the direction of a peace officer or traffic control sign or signal.
“Street”
means a city street.
“Taxicab”
means a motor vehicle for hire used for the transportation of persons for compensation, and not operated exclusively over a fixed route or between fixed termini.
“Taxicab stand”
means a fixed portion of a roadway set aside for taxicabs to stand or wait for passengers.
“Vehicle”
means every device capable of being moved upon a public roadway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public roadway, excepting devices moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, whether licensed or unlicensed, including boat trailer with or without a boat situated thereon and marine vehicle trailered or nontrailered.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 1, 2007)
The public works director or designee is authorized to adopt procedures, enforce the provisions, oversee a contracted third party to assist with enforcement and implementation, adopt a permit parking program, and establish, locate and post various restricted parking zones within the city rights-of-way where required to regulate parking. Such restrictions may include, but not be limited to, the prohibition of parking at all times, the prohibition of parking at certain times, the limitation of parking by durational limit, and such other restrictions as the public works director may determine to be necessary to ensure the availability of safe and efficient parking in the zone.
(Ord. 392 § 71, Schedule VI, 1971; Ord. 77-17 § 4, 1977; Ord. 80-3 § 1, 1980; Ord. 83-39 § 1, 1983; Ord. 83-50 § 1, 1983; Ord. 85-33 § 1, 1985; Ord. 88-18 § 1, 1988; Ord. 88-55 § 1, 1988; Ord. 89-19 § 1, 1989; Ord. 90-27 §§ 3, 4, 5, 1990; Ord. 91-10 § 1, 1991; Ord. 99-31 § 1, 1999; Ord. 2000-27 § 1, 2000; Ord. 2001-13 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2003-07 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2005-25 § 1, 2005; Ord. 2007-14 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2007-40 § 3, 2007; Ord. 2025-15 § 1, 2025)
The chief of police is authorized to temporarily vary, to the extent necessary, the parking regulations imposed by this chapter during any scheduled special event in the city of Poulsbo which, in his opinion, will generate additional traffic that would be likely to obstruct, restrict or alter the normal flow of traffic, thereby affecting the public health, safety or general welfare; provided signs are posted in conspicuous locations giving notice of such temporary regulations.
(Ord. 392 § 72, Schedules 7, 9, 1971; Ord. 83-36 § 1, 1983; Ord. 83-39 §§ 2, 4, 1983; Ord. 83-50 § 2, 1983; Ord. 89-19 § 2, 1989; Ord. 89-34 § 1, 1989; Ord. 90-27 § 7, 1990; Ord. 92-09 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2000-11 § 1, 2000; Ord. 2001-13 § 3, 2001; Ord. 2001-17 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2003-07 § 2, 2003; Ord. 2007-14 § 2, 2007; Ord. 2007-40 § 4, 2007)
No person shall:
A. 
Stop, stand or park a vehicle at any place or time where official signs prohibit stopping;
B. 
Stand or park a vehicle at any place or time where official signs prohibit standing; or
C. 
Park a vehicle at any place or time where official signs prohibit parking.
(Ord. 83-39 § 7, 1983; Ord. 2007-40 § 5, 2007)
A. 
When official signs are erected in each block giving notice thereof, no person shall park a vehicle between the hours specified no parking.
B. 
When official signs are erected in each block with parking limits, no person shall park a vehicle to exceed the specified parking limits.
C. 
Obliterating Tire Markings. It is unlawful to conceal, obliterate, or erase markings on vehicle tires made by a parking enforcement officer or police officer for the purpose of recording parking time.
D. 
“Public holidays,” within the meaning of this section, embrace only days for the observance of the birth of George Washington on the third Monday in February; for Memorial (Decoration) Day on the thirtieth day of May; for the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on the fourth day of July; Labor Day on the first Monday in September; for Veterans’ Day on the day fixed for the observance thereof by the Governor of the state of Washington; for Christmas Day on the twenty-fifth day of December; and for New Year’s Day on the first day of each new year. If any of these public holidays falls upon any Sunday, the day next following such date shall be the holiday therefor.
(Ord. 83-39 § 9, 1983; Ord. 2007-40 § 6, 2007)
Where a time limit is established by official signs, no vehicle may be reparked on either side of the same street in the restricted time zone in order to extend the vehicle’s parking time beyond the time limits established. For purposes of this section, a vehicle shall be deemed to be reparked and in violation of this section despite any movement of the vehicle unless the vehicle is moved to another street with a different street name than the street the vehicle was originally parked upon. It is no defense that the vehicle had been moved out of the zone for less than one hour before reparked in that zone.
(Ord. 83-39 § 10, 1983; Ord. 2005-17 § 1 (part), 2005; Ord. 2007-40 § 7, 2007)
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 twelve inches of the right-hand curb or as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder.
B. 
Except as 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 twelve 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 twelve inches of the left-hand curb or as close as practicable to the left edge of the left-hand shoulder.
C. 
The city may place official traffic control devices prohibiting, limiting, or restricting the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles on any road-way where they determine such stopping, standing, or parking is dangerous to those using the roadway or where the stopping, standing, or parking of vehicles would unduly interfere with the free movement of traffic thereon. No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle in violation of the restrictions indicated by such devices.
(Ord. 83-39 § 11, 1983; Ord. 2007-40 § 8, 2007)
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;
d. 
On a crosswalk;
e. 
Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within thirty 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;
f. 
Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;
g. 
Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a street or within a street tunnel;
h. 
On any railroad tracks;
i. 
In the area between roadways of a divided street including crossovers;
j. 
At any place where official signs prohibit stopping.
2. 
Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers:
a. 
In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading thereto;
b. 
Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant;
c. 
Within twenty feet of a crosswalk;
d. 
Within thirty 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 twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five feet of said entrance when property signposted; or
f. 
At any place where official signs prohibit standing.
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. 
At any place where official signs prohibit parking; or
b. 
Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.
B. 
Parking or standing shall be permitted in the manner provided by law at all other places except a time limit may be imposed or parking restricted at other places by such limitation and restriction per Section 10.12.040 or order of the Secretary of Transportation under their respective jurisdictions.
C. 
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.
D. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of a roadway for the purpose of stopping, standing, or parking to the exclusion of any other like person, nor shall any person be granted such right, unless city ordinance dictates otherwise.
(Ord. 83-39 § 3, 1983; Ord. 2007-40 § 9, 2007)
No vehicle shall stop, stand or park in any parking area designated by lines or marks in any manner that the vehicle extends over or across any such line or mark or in such manner that the vehicle is not within the area so designated by such lines or marks.
(Ord. 83-36 § 2, 1983; Ord. 83-39 § 8, 1983; Ord. 90-27 § 8, 1990; Ord. 2003-16 § 25, 2003; Ord. 2007-40 § 10, 2007)
Upon those streets which have been signed or marked for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the roadway indicated by such signs or markings.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 11, 2007)
A. 
No person shall park any vehicle upon a street in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than ten feet of width of the roadway for free movement of vehicular traffic.
B. 
No vehicle shall stop, stand or park in such a manner as to impede traffic. “Impede traffic” shall be defined as the stopping, standing or parking of a vehicle in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct or stop the lawful passage of pedestrians or other vehicles.
C. 
Subsection A of this section does not apply to the driver of a public transit vehicle who temporarily stops the vehicle upon the roadway for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers at a marked transit vehicle stop zone approved by the State Department of Transportation or a county upon highways under their respective jurisdictions.
D. 
Subsection A of this section and RCW 46.61.570 and 46.61.575 do not apply to the driver of a solid waste collection company or recycling company vehicle who temporarily stops the vehicle as close as practical to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder of the roadway or right edge of the roadway if no shoulder exists for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the collection of solid waste or recyclables, or both, under Chapters 35.21, 35A.21 and 81.77 RCW.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 12, 2007)
Except when necessary to temporarily avoid conflict with other moving traffic or in compliance with the direction of a police officer, fire official, traffic control sign, signal or device, no person shall:
A. 
Stop, stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, within any fire lane except:
1. 
Momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers; or
2. 
Temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property.
3. 
If stopped momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers, driver must remain with vehicle at all times and must immediately vacate the fire lane if fire engine, paramedic, or other emergency vehicle arrives.
B. 
Allow continued violations of this section on private property which they own or manage.
C. 
For purposes of this section, “fire lane” means an area on public or private property reserved for providing the fire department access to structure, fire-fighting fixtures or equipment for emergency vehicles. Designation of fire lane locations shall be designated by both the fire marshal and the city engineer.
D. 
Every person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of no more than two hundred fifty dollars. Each act in violation of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 13, 2007; Ord. 2017-09 § 1, 2017)
Parking of recreation vehicles, including, but not limited to, vans and pickup trucks and campers, vehicles larger than eight thousand pounds gross vehicle weight, camping trailers, tent trailers, boats and/or trailers, utility trailers and inoperable vehicles on city streets in residential areas for longer than twelve hours is prohibited.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 14, 2007)
No vehicle shall stop, stand or park on any city-owned property except in areas which have been clearly identified by the city by sign, painted lines or other marking as parking spaces.
“Municipal parking facilities” for the purposes of this section means any public parking area serving a municipal facility. Such facilities include, but are not limited to, the city commons, city golf facility, city senior center, all parks or recreation facilities owned or operated by the city, city shops, and City Hall.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 15, 2007)
In areas for which a sign has been posted limiting parking to certain types of vehicles, no vehicle other than the designated vehicle shall stop, stand or be parked for any purpose or period of time.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 16, 2007)
A. 
In areas where signs have been posted limiting parking to downtown employees only, no vehicles other than those registered with the city’s designated parking enforcement agency as employee vehicles may stop, stand, or park for any purpose or length of time.
B. 
Every person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of no more than two hundred fifty dollars. Each act in violation of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. 2025-15 § 2, 2025)
A. 
No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time other than for the expeditious loading or unloading of materials in any place marked as a commercial loading zone during hours when the regulations applicable to such loading zone are effective, and then only for a period not to exceed fifteen minutes.
B. 
Every person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of no more than two hundred fifty dollars. Each act in violation of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 17, 2007; Ord. 2025-15 § 3, 2025)
A. 
The driver of a bus shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street at any place other than a bus stand so designated as provided herein.
B. 
The driver of a bus shall not stop such vehicle upon any street at any place for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or their baggage other than at a bus stop, bus stand, or passenger loading zone so designated as provided herein, except in case of an emergency.
C. 
The driver of a bus shall enter a bus stop, bus stand, or passenger loading zone on a public street in such a manner that the bus when stopped to load or unload passengers or baggage shall be in a position with the right front wheel of such vehicle not further than eighteen inches from the curb and the bus approximately parallel to the curb so as not to impede unduly the movement of other vehicular traffic.
D. 
The driver of a taxicab shall not stand or park such vehicle upon any street at any place other than in a taxicab stand so designated as provided herein. This provision shall not prevent the driver of a taxi-cab from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping or parking regulations at any place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 18, 2007)
A. 
In areas designated “bus zone,” no vehicle other than a bus shall stop, stand or be parked for any purpose or period of time. Buses may stop, stand, or park in these areas solely for the expeditious loading and unloading of passengers.
B. 
For purposes of this section, the term “bus” shall mean:
1. 
Any motor vehicle used for the purpose of carrying passengers together with incidental baggage or freight, on a regular schedule of time and rates; or
2. 
Any motor vehicle designed for the purpose of carrying passengers (having a seating capacity for eleven or more persons) used regularly to transport persons in furtherance of any organized agricultural, religious, or charitable purpose; or
3. 
Any school bus.
C. 
Every person convicted of a violation of this section shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of no more than two hundred fifty dollars. Each act in violation of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 19, 2007; Ord. 2025-15 § 4, 2025)
In as much as the city desires to reduce, if not eliminate, the use of city streets for the general storage of vehicles or other objects on more than a temporary basis and for only short periods of time, accordingly, parking or storage of motor vehicles or other objects upon city streets and rights-of-way for any of the following purposes or in the following manner is prohibited:
A. 
Displaying such motor vehicle or other object for sale or for advertising the sale thereof;
B. 
Repairing a motor vehicle, camper, trailer, boat trailer, or boat except that emergency parking for repair upon a motor vehicle not requiring over twenty-four hours total time shall be permitted;
C. 
Parking or storage of a motor vehicle which is temporarily or permanently inoperative for any reason whatsoever, and excepting only parking for emergency repairs as authorized in subsection B of this section;
D. 
Parking or storage, at any time or for any reason, of a boat, boat trailer, house trailer, travel trailer, mobile home, camper or any other vehicle or object incapable of self-locomotion;
E. 
Parking or storage of any motorcycle, motor vehicle or motor home capable of self-locomotion for a continuous period of time in excess of seventy-two hours;
F. 
Storage of building materials, sand, gravel, sawdust, beauty bark, rocks or other materials of any kind whatsoever;
G. 
Storage of rubbish or vegetation of any kind for any period of time.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 20, 2007; Ord. 2012-16 § 1, 2012)
No trailer or semi-trailer shall be parked upon any city street unless the trailer or semi-trailer is attached to a vehicle by which it may be propelled or drawn. In case of accident, such trailer or semi-trailer may be moved to the side of the street, and if a good and sufficient red signal is displayed at both ends of the trailer or semi-trailer during the hours of darkness, such trailer or semi-trailer may be permitted or allowed to remain for a period not exceeding twenty-four hours pending removal except that such trailer or semi-trailer shall not remain upon any portion of a city street where standing or parking is limited or prohibited for a period longer than is necessary to effect its removal.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 21, 2007)
No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to block or impede the alley for the free movement of vehicular traffic, and no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley in such position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 22, 2007)
Parking in city parks is for park use only. Except as otherwise posted, all vehicle parking areas within the parks shall be closed when the parks are closed.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 23, 2007)
No person shall stop, stand, or park any vehicle on any public street, highway, alley or other public property within the city limits of the city of Poulsbo unless such vehicle possesses a proper and current vehicle license plate or plates, and such plate or plates are properly mounted thereon in accordance with the State of Washington Department of Licensing rules and regulations.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 24, 2007)
It is unlawful for any person while operating or in charge of a vehicle to park or willfully allow such vehicle to stand upon a public roadway or in a public place in the city, leaving a minor child or children under the age of seven years unattended therein. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 25, 2007)
A. 
Every person in whose name a vehicle is registered shall be responsible for any violation of this chapter caused by the parking of the vehicle in violation of this chapter.
B. 
It shall be no defense that the vehicle was parked illegally by another, unless proof is presented that the vehicle has been stolen and had not been returned to the registered owner by the date of the violation.
C. 
This section shall not apply to registered owners transferring vehicle ownership who have complied with RCW 46.52.140 prior to the date of the violation.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 26, 2007)
Pursuant to the authority established in Section 10.12.010, the parking regulations set forth in this chapter, and the Washington Model Traffic Ordinance as adopted, the city may contract permit parking programs and associated parking enforcement to a third party.
(Ord. 2025-15 § 5, 2025)
A. 
Unless otherwise designated, every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a monetary penalty in the amount of sixty dollars. Each act in violation of any of the provisions hereof shall be deemed a separate offense.
B. 
A monetary penalty of twenty-five dollars shall also be imposed for failure to respond or appear to a notice of traffic infraction relating to parking. Any person who fails to respond or appear on any violation of any provision of the Poulsbo Municipal Code set forth in this chapter shall be assessed a failure to respond or appear fee not to exceed the amount set forth in RCW 46.63.110(4), as the same now exists or as may be hereafter amended, which statute is incorporated herein by this reference as if fully set forth.
C. 
A notice of parking infraction represents a determination that a parking infraction has been committed.
(Ord. 2007-40 § 27, 2007; Ord. 2025-15 § 6, 2025)