Seattle ‘reviewing’ recently-reinstated 72-hour parking enforcement policy

The city of Seattle may consider changing its 72-hour parking enforcement policy for the second time soon after it came back into effect in early April.

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The city first suspended the policy in April 2020, while most cases of boating and towing vehicles were halted, with guides citing the goal of “better serving the needs of our community” at the start of the pandemic, especially as the people mostly too Stayed home.

It was brought back a year later, which sparked renewed criticism from local activists claiming the 72-hour parking limit unfairly targets those living in RVs and other vehicles. Seattle City Councilor Kshama Sawant also sent a letter to Mayor Jenny Durkan saying she was “appalled” to hear the city would resume enforcement of policies that she believed “criminalize people because they are poor and have no affordable housing ”.

However, some neighborhood shops and residents have defended the policy, complaining about trash, crime and other litter that they say is caused directly by RVs parked on the streets for days or weeks.

Mayor Jenny Durkan justified reinstating the ordinance at a time when COVID-19 cases seemed to be declining, saying that it would “encourage the use of transit, reduce reliance on single-person vehicles and maintain the potential for road clearance target”. Vehicles for various reasons. “

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However, as the Delta variant is fueling all-time highs in COVID cases and hospital admissions, the Seattle Department of Transportation says it may take a second look at how to handle politics in the future.

“The city of Seattle is currently reviewing the 72-hour enforcement process in light of current state guidelines,” SDOT said in a written statement. “We are working to develop an enforcement approach that balances the reality of changing travel patterns and current needs as public health policies continue to change due to the Delta variant.”

At the time of publication, Seattle Traffic Regulations permit no vehicle to be parked on a city street for more than 72 hours, regardless of the sign posted. Offenders are subject to a complaint and their vehicle can be towed away and confiscated.

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