AN ORDINANCE related to authorizing and collecting fees under the Traffic Code; amending Seattle Municipal Code Section 11.23.420 to authorize curb space parking permits in limited circumstances; amending Section 11.23.440 to allow parking privileges for car sharing activities; amending Section 11.72.054 to clarify which vehicles are authorized to park in car sharing zones; adding a new Section 11.23.150 to codify car sharing permit fees; and amending Sections 11.16.315 and 11.16.319 to establish a maximum limit and a fee for single-day use guest permits for parking in restricted parking zones.

WHEREAS, in 1979, Ordinance 108354 established the Restricted Parking Zone program [known generally as the Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) program] to help ease parking congestion in residential neighborhoods, and Ordinance 122853 amended the permit fees to cover the increased cost of administration; and

WHEREAS, RPZs are often located in neighborhoods close to generators of high traffic demand, such as universities, high schools, hospitals, transit stations or stops, and business districts; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of RPZs in such neighborhoods limits the impact of employees, transit commuters, and students parking their vehicles for lengthy periods of time who use parking that might otherwise be utilized by residents and area visitors; and

WHEREAS, as of March 2009, Seattle had 27 restricted parking zones and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) issued approximately 17,000 RPZ permits annually; and

WHEREAS, SDOT conducted a broad-based community engagement effort regarding the RPZ program and received substantial feedback on draft recommendations issued in August 2008; and

WHEREAS, during community engagement on the RPZ program, broad support was expressed for a single-day use guest permit to address the difficulties users experience when multiple family members or friends visit at the same time; and

WHEREAS, car sharing provides an alternative to car ownership and complements the public transportation system; and

WHEREAS, recent studies indicate that car sharing programs reduce vehicle miles traveled and thus help alleviate traffic congestion; and

WHEREAS, the City has a finite supply of on-street parking spaces, and shared parking reduces the demand for parking; and

WHEREAS, the City needs to regulate the use of car share spaces to promote reduced traffic congestion and the increased availability of public parking; and

WHEREAS, both the City's Transportation Strategic Plan and Climate Action plan promote car sharing; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Section 11.23.420 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 115995, is amended as follows:

11.23.420 Curb space parking permits.

The Director of Transportation Engineering may authorize curb space parking permits for charitable, educational, or community purposes, including, for example, medically related programs, armed forces recruiting efforts, and street fairs; provided, that no permits other than those specifically authorized by this Title shall be authorized for commercial purposes except in conjunction with community events. For purposes of this section, curb space constitutes roadway area next to the curb.

Section 2. Section 11.23.440 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by the Ordinance introduced as Council Bill Number 116657, is amended as follows:

11.23.440 Parking privileges.

No person shall be granted a franchise or special privilege to the exclusion of any other like person for parking vehicles on any roadway. Zones may be granted for taxicabs, official foreign career consul vehicles, moving or loading, disabled persons, curb space parking including no parking zones, service parking, carpool parking, car share parking, or similar uses, or for any restricted parking zone program that may be developed. Establishment of such a zone does not constitute a grant of franchise.

Section 3. Section 11.72.054 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 122779, is amended as follows:

11.72.054 Car sharing vehicle zone.

No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle other than a car sharing vehicle displaying a car share parking permit of the type issued for the cost of that location within any space marked or signed as reserved for car sharing vehicles.

Section 4. Effective January 1, 2010, a new section 11.23.150 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:

11.23.150 Car Share Parking Fees

Annual car share permits are issued for use January 1 December 31. Car share permits for use July 1 to December 31 are issued at 50% of the cost of an annual car share permit.

Section 5. Section 11.16.315, as last amended by an Ordinance introduced as Council Bill Number 116657, is amended as follows:

11.16.315 Administration of and signage in restricted parking zones.

A. Signage: Restricted parking zones shall be appropriately signed and/or marked.

B. Administration:

1. A restricted parking zone may have one or more of the following components:

a. Parking in the street is reserved for the exclusive use of those vehicles displaying a valid RPZ permit, guest permit, or other identification issued by the Seattle Department of Transportation as part of the RPZ program; or

b. Parking in the street is reserved during certain posted hours for exclusive use of vehicles displaying a valid RPZ permit, guest permit, or other identification issued by the Seattle Department of Transportation as part of the RPZ program but available at all other times without restriction; or

c. Time limits are established for parking in the street that apply to all vehicles except vehicles with a valid RPZ permit, guest permit, or other identification issued by the Seattle Department of Transportation as part of the RPZ program.

2. In any restricted parking zone, the Director of Transportation or the Director's designee may issue permits or other means of identification, maintain lists of vehicles owned or used by permit holders , or adopt any other reasonable means of distinguishing vehicles that are validly parked in a restricted parking zone.

a. A permit shall not guarantee or reserve to the holder an on-street parking space within the designated RPZ.

b. If issued to a resident, a permit must be used within six contiguous city blocks of the household unit address or, if issued to a business or institution, a permit must be used within six contiguous city blocks of the place of business or the institution.

C. Application: In order to obtain an RPZ permit, any applicant shall present proof of residency in or adjacent to the restricted parking zone boundary in addition to submittal of a complete application to the Seattle Department of Transportation. As of January 1, 2010, any applicant must also present proof that the address of vehicle registration matches the applicant's household unit address or that the applicant is an out of state non-resident or active military personnel.

D. Permit Limit: As of January 1, 2010, each eligible household unit is entitled to obtain have no more than four RPZ permits at any one timeper permit cycle.

1. Exception: The Director of Transportation may issue more RPZ permits than the four-permit limit per household for the following land uses:

a. Adult family home;

b. Assisted living facility;

c. Domestic violence shelter; and

d. Permitted congregate residence.

In determining whether to grant additional permits in excess of the fourpermit per household limit, the Director of Transportation may also consider the availability of on-street parking in the requestor's residential area and demonstrated need for additional permits.

E. Guest Permits. Each eligible resident may obtain no more than one annual or biennial guest permit per household unit. It is illegal to use a guest permit on a resident's vehicle. As of January 1, 2010, eligible residents may obtain a limited number of no more than 50 single-day use guest permits per year.

F. Motorcycles and Scooters. As of January 1, 2010, motorcycles and scooters are authorized to park in an RPZ without an RPZ permit.

Section 6. Effective January 1, 2010, Section 11.16.319 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 123001, is amended as follows:

11.16.319 Fees for restricted parking zone permits; Waiver or reduction of fees.

A. The parking fees to be collected by the Seattle Department of Transportation for restricted parking zone permits are as follows.

* * *

Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from and after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten (10) days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.

Passed by the City Council the ____ day of ________________________, 2009, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this

_____ day of ___________________, 2009.

_________________________________

President __________of the City Council

Approved by me this ____ day of _____________________, 2009.

_________________________________

Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor

Filed by me this ____ day of __________________________, 2009.

____________________________________

City Clerk

(Seal)

Margo Polley/MAP

SDOT Parking Permit Fees 2010 ORD\

October 2, 2009

Version #13