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Blocking driveways and 72 hour on-street parking rule

Started 3 months ago by Alki ite
Latest reply from luckymom30

Alki ite
Member Profile

FYI - if you park on 45th Avenue S. W. near Glenn Way: "No person shall stand or park a vehicle in front of a public or private driveway within a street or alley or in front of or in an alley entrance or within five feet (5') of the end of a constructed driveway return or alley entrance return, or if none, within five feet (5') of the projection of the edge of the driveway or alley."

Which means you will be ticketed (on complaint)if you're parked within seven (7) feet of the end of a constructed driveway.

Also, if you park on the street legally for 6 hours and the homeowner reports(on complaint)you were parked there 72 hours, and parking enforcement puts a notice on your car, there is nothing you can say or do to dispute the time. So be careful where you park near the Junction.

Posted 3 months ago #
mpento
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parked for 71hours and 59min then....

Posted 3 months ago #
WSratsinacage
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Lol

Posted 3 months ago #
anonyme
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This is a big problem in Arbor Heights, where the lack of sidewalks seems to invite semi-permanent junk car collections on the right-of-way and planting strips.

There are several locations along 35th south of Rox. One grouping (a perennial problem house) has had two crappy vehicles on the street for over a year and a half - and that's just the latest stretch. The same vehicles have been stored on the street for over five years. SPD no longer responds to complaints.

Posted 3 months ago #
LAintheJunction
Member Profile

That's the rule everywhere in the city, not just West Seattle. There are plenty of places to park without blocking someone's driveway or parking so close that it's hard for the resident to back out. The city's really been cracking down on illegal parking and I can't say I'm too sorry about it.

It's crowded enough around the Junctions (Admiral, Alaska and Morgan) without adding in park-and-hiders that leave their cars there for days on end. Sounds like anonyme has an even bigger problem in Arbor Heights though, that sucks. Is that still city of Seattle though, or unincorporated White Center? Maybe reporting them to the KC Sheriff's Office would help.

Posted 3 months ago #
EdSane
Member Profile

For a 72 hour complaint parking enforcement will chalk your tire for a period of atleast 24 hours prior to putting a warning on your car. A citation will not be given until they have verified the vehicle has not moved for 72 hours. This has been my exp.

Posted 3 months ago #
quesera
Member Profile

Why are people so quick to call the police? Leave a note, or if you know who owns the car, go knock on their door. Everyone is so quick to turn a neighbor into an enemy. I've left my car parked in front of my house for days at a time because I was *gasp* on vacation (I know! I know! I'm e-v-i-l). Fortunately, my neighbors aren't jerks.

Posted 3 months ago #
PangolinPie
Member Profile

My next door neighbors were parking their car right up next to my driveway, making it hard to pull out onto a busy street. One morning I just asked the driver as he was getting into his car, to please park back a bit as it blocked my sightline. He said he would, and sure enough, he's been great about leaving space since then. Problem solved and no cops called.

Posted 3 months ago #
beer and cupcakes
Member Profile

I have a related concern and would love to know what you all think is the most appropriate thing to do.. I just moved to West Seattle from out of state. My new condo is on Alki Ave, and while I was moving in (about 2 weeks ago) I noticed that there were 2 cars in particular that were always parked in the same spot in front of my building. About a week later, I realized these cars are never moved, and are parked in a way so no one can park in front or behind them because of driveways on both side, so they are basically taking up 3 spots in an area that is "prime real estate" when it comes to parking. I only have street parking- no assigned spaces- and it's really frustrating when I have to walk 3 blocks in the rain because the spots in front of my building are eternally occupied by these mystery vehicles.

I only have 2 immediate neighbors, and the cars don't belong to them. When I asked them about it, they didn't seem to care or think it was a big deal. But honestly, I do. I'd prefer not to be a jerk and call the cops, but apparently note-writing is also frowned upon in Seattle. Any suggestions?

Posted 3 months ago #
Franci
Member Profile

I hate to break it to you b&c, but parking only 3 blocks away may seem like a luxury when summer comes. Alki Ave. is a very popular destination and parking is at a premium in that area, especially between May and September. Take a deep breath and enjoy the views. ;)

Posted 3 months ago #
skeeter
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B&C - if it was me, I would call parking enforcement.

Posted 3 months ago #
WSratsinacage
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B&C you can file a form on line or call the number on this link http://www.seattle.gov/police/parking/default.htm
There is nothing wrong with having to walk a few blocks since no one owns street spaces but it does suck in the rain. Parking is at a premium, especially on Alki, so people need to obey the 72 hour law.

I kind of hate the "snitchiness" of the form/phone number but if there's no way to figure out who the owner is so you can talk to them then the form is the way to keep people honest/accountable. Besides, trying to talk with someone these days will get you cussed out or worse ..

Welcome to West Seattle.

Posted 3 months ago #
beer and cupcakes
Member Profile

Thanks all - I agree that 3 blocks isn't anything to complain about, and I wouldn't have a problem with it if these were cars that are being used, but they're just sitting there taking up space... So I guess a call to parking enforcement is the way to go.
Thanks again, I'm stoked to be here!

Posted 3 months ago #
Talaki34
Member Profile

LAintheJunction

Just now saw your question. Arbor Heights has been a part of West Seattle for almost 60 years. It was annexed in 1954.

http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~public/annexations/Southwest_portions.htm
http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/public/nmaps/html/NN-1500S.htm

Not sure where “anonyme” lives, but on my street there isn’t any problem with parking. I think in the last 1-1/2 years, I have had maybe two cars park in front of my house that were not guests of mine.

Posted 3 months ago #
LKT
Member Profile

beer and cupcakes: A friend on Queen Anne had a similar situation in front of her home. After a couple of weeks and checking all around she called parking enforcement and learned that the vehicle was stolen, then abandoned there. Could be the case (though it is sort of odd that there are two of them).

Posted 3 months ago #
Alki ite
Member Profile

Thanks to you who offered kindness. I started this post. I parked my car near 45th and Glenn (west side of street)2 feet from the edge of the driveway and less than 4 hours later, I received a ticket - AND a warning on my windshield that my car would be towed in 24 hours. No chalked tires, no warning. Parking enforcement said I can do nothing to prove what time I parked (there are no time limits where I parked) - they take only the homeowner's word.

My post was for those who don't know the 7 foot rule - two feet from the edge of the driveway, and five feet from the curve of the edge of the driveway. If you walk along any Seattle street, most cars are not parked 7 feet from the edge of the driveway.

Also - because of this parking infraction, the first I've ever received, I had to check if my name/social security number were compromised in the recent court hacking. Yes, parking infractions were included. All for parking 2 feet from the driveway. I long for decency and kindness.

Posted 4 days ago #
JanS
Member Profile

Alki ite...a question. The law also says 5 feet from a hydrant, too. Would you only park 2 feet away because it works for you better?

Posted 4 days ago #
Spring Chicken
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That's 15 feet from a hydrant, not five.

Posted 4 days ago #
JanS
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spring chicken....not in my neighborhood - lol...thanks for the correction :)

Posted 4 days ago #
seaopgal
Member Profile

The 72 hours applies only if you are parked legally. If you are parked illegally (in front of hydrant, too close to corner, blocking a driveway or alley, etc.) they can ticket/tow without warning.

Sorry you got a ticket, Alki ite ... chalk it up to experience and carry on. : )

Posted 4 days ago #
waterworld
Member Profile

Alki ite: I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a seven foot rule, so I looked around and found this page, which depicts the five feet where you can't park:

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/drivewaymarking.htm

Posted 3 days ago #
JanS
Member Profile

ww,,,I think alki ite is saying that curve at the end of the driveway equals 2 ft., for a total of 7 feet...I think...

Posted 3 days ago #
mtnfreak
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On the flip side, home owners are allowed to paint that five foot margin from the end of the driveway, as waterworld's link describes. If you're having problems with line-of-site, this is an excellent way to address it.

Posted 11 hours ago #
luckymom30
Member Profile

I agree with you Anonyme with your assessment, I would like to add there is no parking along 35th between 100th and 102nd on the east side of the street, it is a planting strip not a parking strip. Double parking or any parking is not permitted in this area and too many people falsely believe tey are beyond the law and can park there anyway.

Posted 10 hours ago #