Seattle City Council Bills and Ordinances
Information modified on January 8, 2020; retrieved on May 7, 2025 8:45 PM
Ordinance 125944
Introduced as Council Bill 119653
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the City’s traffic code; conforming the Seattle Municipal Code with changes in state law; amending Sections 11.14.055, 11.14.184, 11.14.333, 11.14.360, 11.14.710, 11.20.347, 11.22.070, 11.22.160, 11.22.200, 11.30.040, 11.31.050, 11.31.115, 11.40.220, 11.44.120, 11.53.020, 11.53.230, 11.56.140, 11.58.198, 11.58.272, 11.60.130, 11.72.040, 11.80.080, 11.82.360, and 11.82.560 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and adding new Sections 11.14.321 and 11.14.378 to the Seattle Municipal Code. |
Description and Background | |
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Current Status: | Passed |
Fiscal Note: | Fiscal Note to Council Bill No. 119653 |
Index Terms: | TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC-REGULATION, MUNICIPAL-CODE |
Legislative History | |
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Sponsor: | Mike O'Brien | tr>
Date Introduced: | September 16, 2019 |
Committee Referral: | Sustainability and Transportation |
Committee Action Date: | September 17, 2019 |
Committee Recommendation: | Pass |
Committee Vote: | 1 (O'Brien) - 0 |
City Council Action Date: | September 23, 2019 |
City Council Action: | Passed |
City Council Vote: | 7-0 (Absent(NV): Herbold, Sawant) |
Date Delivered to Mayor: | September 27, 2019 |
Date Signed by Mayor: (About the signature date) | October 4, 2019 |
Date Filed with Clerk: | October 4, 2019 |
Signed Copy: | PDF scan of Ordinance No. 125944 |
Text | |
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CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________ AN ORDINANCE relating to the City’s traffic code; conforming the Seattle Municipal Code with changes in state law; amending Sections 11.14.055, 11.14.184, 11.14.333, 11.14.360, 11.14.710, 11.20.347, 11.22.070, 11.22.160, 11.22.200, 11.30.040, 11.31.050, 11.31.115, 11.40.220, 11.44.120, 11.53.020, 11.53.230, 11.56.140, 11.58.198, 11.58.272, 11.60.130, 11.72.040, 11.80.080, 11.82.360, and 11.82.560 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and adding new Sections 11.14.321 and 11.14.378 to the Seattle Municipal Code. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 11.14.055 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124950, is amended as follows:
11.14.055 Bicycle and (( A. “Bicycle” means every device propelled solely by human power , or an electric-assisted bicycle, upon which a person or persons may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is 16 inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is more than 20 inches in diameter.
B. “Electric-assisted bicycle” means a bicycle with two or three wheels, a saddle, fully operative pedals for human propulsion, and an electric motor. The electric-assisted bicycle’s electric motor must have a power output of no more
than ((
1. “Class 1 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour;
2. “Class 2 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour;
or
3. “Class 3 electric-assisted bicycle” means an electric-assisted bicycle in which the motor provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour and is
equipped with a speedometer.
11.14.184 Emergency or work zone ((
"Emergency or work zone" means the adjacent lanes of the roadway (( Section 3. A new Section 11.14.321 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows: 11.14.321 Medium-speed electric vehicle "Medium-speed electric vehicle" means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 25 miles per hour but not more than 35 miles per hour and otherwise meets or exceeds the federal regulations set forth in 49 C.F.R. Sec. 571.500. Section 4. Section 11.14.333 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123190, is amended as follows:
11.14.333 Motorized foot scooter ((
"Motorized foot scooter" means a device with (( Section 5. Section 11.14.360 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.14.360 Motor vehicle ((
A. "Motor vehicle" means ((
B. “Motor vehicle” includes:
1. A neighborhood electric vehicle;
2. A medium-speed electric vehicle; and
3. A golf cart for the purposes of chapter 46.61 RCW.
C. “Motor vehicle” excludes:
1. An electric personal assistive mobility device;
2. A power wheelchair; and
3. A golf cart, except as provided in subsection 11.14.360.B.
11.14.378 Neighborhood electric vehicle "Neighborhood electric vehicle" means a self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicle whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour and conforms to federal regulations under Title 49 C.F.R. Part 571.500. Section 7. Section 11.14.710 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123632, is amended as follows:
11.14.710 Vehicle ((
"Vehicle" means ((
A. A
B. A
C. An
D. A Section 8. Section 11.20.347 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 124302, is amended as follows:
11.20.347 Scope of financial responsibility sections (( The provisions of Sections 11.20.340 and 11.20.345 shall not govern:
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B. The operation of (( Section 9. Section 11.22.070 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123632, is amended as follows:
11.22.070 Licenses and plates required-Penalties-Exceptions ((
A. It is unlawful for a person to operate any vehicle over and along a street or alley without first obtaining and having in full force and effect a current and proper vehicle license and displaying vehicle license number plates as provided by
chapter 46.16A RCW ((
B. The licensing of a vehicle in another state by a resident of this state, as defined in RCW 46.16A.140, thereby evading the payment of any tax or license fee imposed in connection with registration, is a gross misdemeanor punishable, in lieu of the
fine in subsection 11.22.070. A ((
1. For a first offense, up to ((
2. For a second or subsequent offense, up to ((
C. This section shall not apply to vehicles exempt from registration under RCW 46.16A.080. (( Section 10. Section 11.22.160 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.22.160 License plates-Wrecker((
Every motor vehicle wrecker shall obtain a special set of license plates or an indicator tab pursuant to RCW 46.55.065 in addition to the regular licenses and plates required for the operation of such vehicles as provided in RCW 46.80.060.
(( Section 11. Section 11.22.200 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 109698, is amended as follows:
11.22.200 Special license plates-Hulk hauler ((
Every hulk hauler or scrap processor shall obtain a special set of license plates or an indicator tab pursuant to RCW 46.55.065 in addition to the regular licenses and plates required for the operation of vehicles owned and/or operated by
him or her and used in the conduct of his or her business as provided in RCW 46.79.060. (( Section 12. Section 11.30.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123632, is amended as follows:
11.30.040 When a vehicle may be impounded without prior notice ((
A. A vehicle may be impounded with or without citation and without giving prior notice to its owner as required in Section 11.30.060 ((
1. When the vehicle is impeding or is likely to impede the normal flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic((
4. When the vehicle poses an immediate danger to the public safety((
5. When a police officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle is stolen((
6. When a police officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle constitutes evidence of a crime or contains evidence of a crime, if impoundment is reasonably necessary in such instance to obtain or preserve such evidence((
9. When the vehicle is impounded pursuant to ((
10. When a vehicle with an expired registration of more than (( 11. When the vehicle is impounded pursuant to Section 12A.10.115.
12. When the vehicle is impounded pursuant to ((
13. When the vehicle is impounded pursuant to subsection 18.12.235.B.
* * * Section 13. Section 11.31.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123946, is amended as follows:
11.31.050 Response to notice of traffic infraction-Contesting determination-Hearing-Failure to appear ((
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E. In any hearing conducted pursuant to subsections 11.31.050. C or 11.31.050. D ((
* * * Section 14. Section 11.31.115 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123420, is amended as follows:
11.31.115 Monetary penalty doubled for certain traffic infractions ((
A person found to have committed a traffic infraction relating to right of way, speed restrictions, overtaking and passing or regard for pedestrians in a school or playground crosswalk zone under Sections 11.40.040, 11.44.120, 11.52.100, 11.53.400,
11.58.230 , or 11.58.310, speed restrictions in a roadway construction zone under Section 11.52.110 or an emergency or work zone under Section 11.58.272 , or overtaking and passing a school bus under (( Section 15. Section 11.40.220 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 115323, is amended as follows:
11.40.220 Walking on sidewalk ((
Where (( Section 16. Section 11.44.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.44.120 Riding on sidewalk or public path ((
Every person operating a bicycle upon any sidewalk or public path shall operate the same in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into
account the amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of sidewalk or public path, and condition of surface, and shall obey all traffic-control devices. Every person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the
right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon, and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. Operation of a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle on a sidewalk is unlawful, unless there is no alternative to travel over a
sidewalk as part of a bicycle or pedestrian path.
11.53.020 Driving on right side of roadway-Exceptions ((
A. Upon all roadways of sufficient width(( 1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement;
2. When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the centerline of the roadway((
3. Upon a roadway divided into three ((
4. Upon a roadway restricted to one ((
5. Upon a roadway having three ((
B. Upon any roadway having four (( Section 18. Section 11.53.230 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 121525, is amended as follows:
11.53.230 High-occupancy vehicle lanes ((
A. No person shall operate a vehicle in violation of a designation by the Washington Department of Transportation, the Director of Transportation , or the Traffic Engineer reserving all or any portion of a street or highway,
including any lane or ramp, for the exclusive or preferential use of transit coaches or other public transportation vehicles or carpools. ((
B. A person who commits a traffic infraction under Section 11.53.230 is also subject to the following additional monetary penalties, which are separate from the base penalty, fees, and assessments issued for the traffic infraction: $50 or, if the
person has already committed a violation under Section 11.53.230 within two years of committing the current violation, then $150; and if the person commits a violation under Section 11.53.230 and is using a dummy, doll, or other human facsimile to make
it appear that an additional person is in the vehicle, then $200.
C. The additional penalties collected under subsection 11.53.230.B shall be collected by the clerk of the court and transmitted to the state for deposit and distribution as provided by RCW 46.61.165.
11.56.140 Reckless endangerment of emergency or work zone workers (( A. A person is guilty of reckless endangerment of emergency or work zone workers if he or she drives a vehicle in an emergency or work zone in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any emergency or work zone worker or property.
B. Reckless endangerment of emergency zone workers is a gross misdemeanor. ((( Section 20. Subsection 11.58.198.F of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 123190, is amended as follows:
11.58.198 Safety belts required ((
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F. This (( Section 21. Section 11.58.272 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123420, is amended as follows:
11.58.272 Operation of vehicle approaching an emergency or work zone (( A. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching an emergency or work zone , shall:
1. On a street having four ((
2. On a street having fewer than four ((
3. If changing lanes or moving away would be ((
B. A person may not drive a vehicle in an emergency or work zone at a speed greater than the posted speed limit or greater than what is permitted under subsection 11.58.272.A.3 . (( Section 22. Subsection 11.60.130.B of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125344, is amended as follows: 11.60.130 Maximum lengths
* * * B. 1. It shall be a violation for any person to operate upon the streets and alleys any combination consisting of a tractor and semitrailer that has a semitrailer length in excess of 53 feet or a combination consisting of a tractor and two trailers in which the combined length of the trailers exceeds 61 feet, with or without load.
2. The restriction under this subsection 11.60.130.B does not apply to two trailers or semitrailers with a total weight that does not exceed 26,000 pounds and when the two trailers or semitrailers do not carry property but constitute inventory
property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of such trailers. The total combination under this subsection 11.60.130.B.2 may not exceed 82 feet of overall length.
* * * Section 23. Section 11.72.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.72.040 Blocking or obstructing traffic ((
A. No person shall stop, stand , or park a vehicle ((
B. This Chapter 11.72 and Chapter 11.74 do not apply to the driver of any vehicle that is disabled in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the vehicle in such position. The driver shall
nonetheless arrange for the prompt removal of the vehicle.
C. Subsection 11.72.040.A 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. However, public transportation service providers, including private, nonprofit transportation providers regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW, may allow the driver of a transit vehicle to stop upon
the roadway momentarily to receive or discharge passengers at an unmarked stop zone only if the driver stops the vehicle in a safe and practicable position, activates four-way flashing lights, and stops at a portion of the roadway with an unobstructed
view, for an adequate distance so as to not create a hazard, for other drivers.
D. This Chapter 11.72 and Chapter 11.74 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. Section 24. Section 11.80.080 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 120885, is amended as follows:
11.80.080 Color of clearance lamps, side marker lamps, back-up lamps , and reflectors ((
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C. All lighting devices and reflectors mounted on the rear of any vehicle shall display or reflect a red color, except the stop lamp or other signal device, which may be red, amber , or yellow, and except on any vehicle (( Section 25. Section 11.82.360 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 122742, is amended as follows:
11.82.360 Stop lamps ((
A. Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this ((
B. Any vehicle may be equipped and when required under this (( Section 26. Section 11.82.560 of the Seattle Municipal Code, enacted by Ordinance 108200, is amended as follows:
11.82.560 Maintenance equipment lamps ((
No person shall operate any snow-removal and other street maintenance and service equipment on any street or alley unless the lamps thereon comply with and are lighted when and as required by the standards and specifications adopted by the (( Section 27. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020. Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2019, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2019. ____________________________________ President ____________ of the City Council Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019. ____________________________________ Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2019. ____________________________________ Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk (Seal) |
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