A. 
Pursuant to RCW 46.63.220, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, the City has authorized the use automated traffic safety cameras and related automated systems.
B. 
For the purpose of this chapter, "automated traffic safety camera," defined in RCW 46.63.210 as it exists or as hereinafter amended, means a device that uses a vehicle sensor installed to work in conjunction with an intersection traffic control system, a railroad grade crossing control system, or a speed measuring device, and a camera synchronized to automatically record one or more sequenced photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images of the front or rear of a motor vehicle at the time the vehicle fails to stop when facing a steady red traffic control signal or an activated railroad grade crossing control signal, or exceeds a speed limit as detected by a speed measuring device. "Automated traffic safety camera" also includes a device used to detect stopping at intersection or crosswalk violations; stopping when traffic obstructed violations; public transportation only lane violations; stopping or traveling in restricted lane violations; and public transportation bus stop zone violations detected by a public transportation vehicle-mounted system.
C. 
Law enforcement officers of the City are authorized to implement and issue infractions under the automated traffic camera system.
D. 
The automated traffic safety cameras and related systems can detect one or more of the following infractions as authorized pursuant to RCW 46.63.220 as it exists or as hereinafter amended:
1. 
Stop light infractions;
2. 
Railroad grade crossing violations; or
3. 
Speed zone violations, including:
a. 
Hospital speed zones;
b. 
Public park speed zones;
c. 
School speed zones;
d. 
School walk zones;
e. 
Roadway work zones, except that a notice of infraction may only be issued if an automated traffic safety camera captures a speed violation when workers are present; and
f. 
State highways within City limits that are classified as City streets under RCW 47.24.
E. 
The City shall clearly mark all locations where automated traffic safety cameras are in use by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by automated traffic safety camera.
F. 
Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures of the vehicle and the vehicle license plate and only while the infraction is occurring. Pictures taken by the automated traffic safety camera may not reveal the face of the driver or of the passengers in the vehicle.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 27822 Ex. A, 2009-07-28; Ord. 28479 Ex. A, 2017-12-19; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
A. 
Whenever any vehicle is photographed by an automatic traffic safety camera, a notice of infraction shall be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 14 days of establishing the registered owner's name and address under this section, or to the renter of a vehicle within 14 days of establishing the renter's name and address under subsection B of this section.
B. 
If the registered owner of the vehicle is a rental car business, before a notice of infraction is issued, the law enforcement agency will provide a written notice to the rental car business that a notice of infraction may be issued if the rental car business does not within 18 days of receiving the written notice, provide the issuing agency by return mail:
1. 
A statement under oath stating the name and known address of the individual driving or renting the vehicle when the infraction occurred; or
2. 
A statement under oath stating the business is unable to determine who was driving or renting the vehicle at the time the infraction occurred; or
3. 
In lieu of identifying the vehicle operator, the rental car business may pay the applicable penalty.
Timely mailing of this statement to the issuing law enforcement agency relieves the rental car business of any liability under this chapter for the notice of infraction.
C. 
The law enforcement officer issuing the notice of infraction shall include with it a certificate or facsimile thereof, based upon the inspection of photographs, micro-photos, or electronic images by an automated traffic safety camera, stating the facts supporting the notice of infraction. This certificate or facsimile is prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it and is admissible in a proceeding charging a violation under this chapter.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
A person receiving a notice of infraction based on the evidence detected by an automated traffic safety camera may respond to the notice by mail, or request a hearing.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17)
A. 
In a traffic infraction case involving an infraction detected through the use of a photo enforcement system under this chapter, or detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera under this section, proof that a particular vehicle described in the notice of infraction was in violation of any such provision of this chapter, together with proof that the person named in the notice of infraction was at the time of the violation the registered owner of the vehicle, constitutes a prima facie presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle was the person in control of the vehicle at the point where, and for the time for which the violation occurred.
B. 
This presumption can be overcome only if the registered owner states, under oath, in a written statement to the court or in testimony before the court that the vehicle involved was, at the time, stolen or in the care, custody, or control of some person other than the registered owner.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
Infractions detected though the use of automated traffic safety cameras are not part of the registered owner's driving record under RCW 46.52.101 and 46.52.120, as now enacted or hereafter amended. Additionally, infractions generated by the use of automated traffic safety cameras under this section shall be processed in the same manner as parking infractions prosecuted under this code, including for the purposes of RCW 3.50.100, 35.20.200, 46.16A.120, and 46.20.270(2) and any other applicable statutes.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
The fine for infractions committed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be $145, as aligned with the maximum articulated in RCW 46.63.220(16), as it exists or as hereinafter amended, as adjusted for inflation by the office of financial management every five years, beginning January 1, 2029, based upon changes in the consumer price index during that time period. Pursuant to RCW 46.63.220(16) the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, may double the infraction amount for a school speed zone infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera.
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 28046 Ex. A, 2011-12-13; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
Nothing in this section prohibits a law enforcement officer from issuing a notice of infraction to a person in control of a vehicle at the time the violation occurs under RCW 46.63.030(1).
(Ord. 27605 § 2 Ex. A, 2007-04-17; Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)
Pursuant to RCW 46.63.220(11) as it exists or as hereinafter amended, photographs, microphotographs, or electronic images, or any other personally identifying data prepared under this chapter are for the exclusive use of authorized City employees, as specified in RCW 46.63.030(1)(d), in the discharge of duties under this chapter and are not open to the public and may not be used in a court in a pending action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding relates to a violation under this section. No photograph, microphotograph, or electronic image, or any other personally identifying data may be used for any purpose other than enforcement of violations under this chapter nor retained longer than necessary to enforce this chapter.
(Ord. 29083, 2025-12-09)