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(33 posts)

West Seattle Parking - NEWS FLASH - You do not own the street

Started 2 years ago by jociep
Latest reply from MrJT

jociep
Member Profile

Sorry folks, contrary to what you may think you still live in the city and you do not own the street - that is right, even in quaint West Seattle it is not private property...specifically you lovely people on 35th in Belvidere. So, next time I cannot find a space and I have to park in front of your house and unload my two small children in the rain please skip confronting me about parking. Or, maybe you could keep your hands off my car and leave the air in the tires. Also, I am growing tired of the notes...save a tree and a plastic bag and just do not do it. Anyone can park on the street as long as it is a legal parking spot, 5 feet from a driveway and no longer than 72 hours and that includes the spot right in front of your house and mine. I am following the law - are you?

Posted 2 years ago #
pam
Member Profile

On that note..... what's the law when it comes to parking on Alki. Can you park along the curb as long as it's not marked for a bus stop or painted yellow - even though a car is parked on the parking strip and if you parked there that car would be blocked in? Obviously it would be polite to not park there but with the limited parking is it legal to park there?

Posted 2 years ago #
matthewdarling
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right on!

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
Member Profile

Despite what some residents seem to think, parking rules are the same in Alki as in the rest of Seattle. Parking on the planting strip is illegal. (That's probably why the city calls it a "planting strip", rather than a "parking strip".) Go ahead and park 'em in!

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
Member Profile

@pam, what do you mean about the "parking strip"...or maybe you could describe which part of Alki Ave you're referring to? I can't imagine an area where your parking along the curb would block someone in...unless you meant to say "planting strip", as KBear mentioned.

Also, there are some parts of Alki Ave designated for police/fire vehicles only. I don't recall if the curb is painted a different color there, but there are signs at such spots.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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I think the confusion occurs in areas where the strip between the sidewalk and curb is paved. It's still not legal to park there. It's not legal to pave the planting strip, either, so I'm not sure how so many of them got that way.

Posted 2 years ago #
Garden_nymph
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Why is it that we drive in parkways and park in drive-ways?! I realize that it is an off subject question, but worth pondering nonetheless.

Posted 2 years ago #
pam
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you are right - planting strip, not parking strip. You know.... say between Anchor Park and Pepperdocks (but not that far either way, just not sure what the house numbers are) where the houses are, not the condo/apartments. People park on the planting strip, sometimes vertically and sometimes horizontally. No one parks behind/next to their cars on the street but it seems to me the street is a legitimate area to park.

just askin'......

Posted 2 years ago #
JSR
Member Profile

absolutely! I have a neighbor a few houses down who has a little hand-written sign on the curb of the public street: please do not park in this space - it's reserved for my tenant. ha ha ha

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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I think a call to SDOT or Parking Enforcement would get that sign removed.

Posted 2 years ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

/begin_sardonicism

First of all, good grief -- ignore the sign. Eventually, the rains will come and it will be washed away. It does say "Please." I'd figure it was an example of the diminishing and (to an easterner, annoying) Seattle Nice. Don't call SPD or Parking Enforcement (would this be No Parking Non Enforcement?)

/end_sardonicism

Now, THANK YOU FOR THIS POSTING!! I can't say it better than you did. We live in a city. The Bob and I CHOSE to live in a city. If it had been "small town America" I can assure you, we wouldn't be here. Perversely, I find the fact that people park in front of my house encouraging. It means they're going somewhere and I'm in the middle of that somewhere. I don't need acres of empty curbspace in front of my house.

c

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
Member Profile

Speaking of paved over planting strips, they WILL give you a ticket for parking on one, even if it has a years-old strip of engine oil staining it. Believe me. And photographic evidence (at least in my case) won't reduce the amount of the ticket.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
Member Profile

I've never understood why people get so territorial about parking spots in front of their house. We have a parking spot in the back of our house, so the curb spot is not used other than by those who park there to take the bus. I don't care at all if someone parks there. It's not like in NYC where you could (in some neighborhoods) park 5 blocks from your house. Someone might have to :gasp: walk an extra 25 feet to their house.

The only time in my life I've ever been concerned with "my" parking spot was in NYC after a blizzard and I spent 4 hours digging 2' of snow out of my parking space, and I "saved" it with two garbage cans in it when I pulled the car out (a common activity in NYC during bad storms). After doing all that work I was damned if someone else would take the spot and make me start over elsewhere. But obviously that was an extreme circumstance.

When I lived in NJ, I was renting the 2nd floor of a house and my landlord (on the 1st floor) yelled at me several times because I parked in front of a neighbor's house - I "wasn't allowed" to do that. Granted, my landlord was crazy on many levels, but it was a ridiculous request as far as I was concerned.

Pam, I know exactly which spots you're talking about on Alki. Yes, I would think it would be legal to park at that curb. As far as I'm concerned, they're all parking on the sidewalk. Granted, I wouldn't park there for the politeness factor of blocking them in (and, honestly, more because of what retaliation could potentially happen to my car). If I lived there and it affected me, I would call it in.

Posted 2 years ago #
KBear
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I'm thinking about parking over on 35th near Belvidere. It's a long walk back to my house, but I can use the exercise.

Posted 2 years ago #
Smitty
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It's common courtesy to park in front of your own house.

Legal or not, don't be a prick.

Posted 2 years ago #
johnnyblegs
Member Profile

I am so happy that I'm not the only one that feels this way.

Smitty: Of course I would park in front of my house if I could. Why wouldn't I? But if the next closest space is right in front of YOUR house, well...I'm gonna take it. Not because I'm a prick, but because I am a citizen of Seattle, I pay taxes, pay for the roads and I will park wherever I dang please (within the law of course).

To my neighbor that greeted me 3 years ago to my neighborhood by telling me not to park in front of his house, in all politeness, "screw off". I told you I will park wherever I like on my street and I will. Not because I'm a prick but because our street already has parking space problems. You still let newbies who aren't familiar with your rules know how you feel with those orange cones on the street. I know where those cones disappeared BTW.

So everyone (and this includes me), take a deep breath and remind yourself that while you live and pay taxes in Seattle, you don't own the street in front of your house and you have no right controlling others.

Besides, with crime and other things going on in a city, shouldn't neighbors be watching each others back and not creating problems that divide each other?

I would like to point out however, that if the city came by and painted lines or if some Seattleites would take a few lessons in parking, we could fit a lot more cars on my street. Some car drivers REALLY like to spread out their spot. Just saying.

Posted 2 years ago #
odroku
Member Profile

I think the shocking thing here is that someone in Seattle actually confronted someone about something directly and to their face!

Posted 2 years ago #
jociep
Member Profile

Ouch Smitty, that smarts. I most certainly am not a prick - thank you very much. I do park in front of my house when a spot is available otherwise I park where I can. I live in the city and sometimes the spot is not available...I am not freaking out and writing notes about laws or common courtesy. I find it amazing that my neighbors confront me in the rain while unloading my small children and I am the prick? I do not need to justify the placement of my vehicle to anyone unless I am breaking the law. I do not need to be lectured about the number of cars I own and where I put them - ever. My lovely neighbors (I failed to mention) also have parking pads and two and three car garages off the alley on the rear of their homes and they park ALL their cars on the street right smack dab in front of their homes and if someone else parks there they try to park you in or leave you a note...how is that for courtesy? I think it is pathetic, unneighborly and downright rude. You do not own the street, you do not own the parking space in front of your home and you should be nice to your neighbors. Now, if I were a prick I would invite you all over to my block for a park-in...hum, what to do, what to do.

Posted 2 years ago #
alki_2008
Member Profile

@pam - I think I know what area you're referring to. The spots where people park perpendicular to the street (west of Bonair and before the point)? I've wondered about the parking there, as they sometimes seem to block the sidewalk...especially the non-compact vehicles. I don't recall there being an actual curb though, so it almost seems like where they're parking are "driveways". I can't imagine that all those cars have been parking illegally for so long and haven't been ticketed though, so maybe they're legal? I might not be thinking of the same area you are though.

Regarding other posters' comments about parking in front of their own houses...seems to me that folks that are SO concerned about having a spot always available should either be more selective about what house they choose, or else deal with the fact that it's a public street and close parking is NOT "guaranteed". Proximity is definitely good for safety, and for handicapped issues...but the latter can apply for a handicap designated space in front of their house.

Posted 2 years ago #
datamuse
Member Profile

Wow, this seriously blows my mind. I used to live in the Capitol/First Hill area and didn't have a parking permit, so sometimes parked up to a quarter of a mile away from my apartment. It's really not a big deal! Okay, it is if you have mobility issues, but seriously? People get this het up over who parks where on a public street? Good lord.

Posted 2 years ago #
SarahScoot
Member Profile

And datamuse, if a person has mobility issues, there's a good chance he can work with the city to get a reserved disabled spot in front of his home. I know I've seen these on a few streets in West Seattle.

Posted 2 years ago #
dhg
Member Profile

Hey, Eddie Vedder parked his Audi about two feet into my driveway access, but did I leave a snooty note???? NOOOOO. I'm way too nice.
However, a few years ago I was in the Endolyne Joe's neighorhood looking for a space and parked in front of a house that had a sign on the fence that said "No Parking". When I returned an hour later there was a police car next to my car. The officer was looking a little confused and so I asked him if he was called about a parked car. He said the guy had called in to say there was a car blocking traffic in the intersection. I told him my car hadn't moved the last hour. He drove off. He SHOULD'VE issued a ticket to the guy who called in a false report and the city should force anyone with a no parking sign to take them down.

Posted 2 years ago #
me on 28th Ave SW
Member Profile

Eddie Vedder could park his Audi in my kitchen and I'd probably be okay with it...

Posted 2 years ago #
dmc
Member Profile

I think this is funny, as in odd, not ha ha. I admit it. I like to park in front of my own home. So does my husband. We don't have nice cars but they are paid for and we want them to stay as nice as possible. One of our side streets is busy so we tend to prefer the area in front of our home. But try this on for size, when I don't have a spot directly in front of my home, I park on the side street. I don't want to inconvenience my neighbors. I like them. They have small kids, groceries, long days at work and I figure I can walk a bit further if needed. Of course my elderly neighbor will chew your a$$ out if you park in front of her house. I like to watch it happen. She doesn't have a car AND she has a parking area in front of her home. But she figures it is her spot. I love Seattle. And I love that we get fired up over parking spots.

Posted 2 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

i am grateful to have an alley to park in because the city is not all that helpful with handicapped spaces if you rent.

Posted 2 years ago #
dawsonct
Member Profile

Isn't there a 15' easement from the curb/edge of the pavement? So not only do you not "own" the street in front of your house, you don't own the planting strip or the sidewalk either.
---
That doesn't absolve you from maintenance though!

Posted 2 years ago #
Bofus
Member Profile

Street improvements within the right-of-way(ROW)vary in location but generally the extent of the ROW is about two feet behind the sidewalk on most WS streets. Parking strips between the sidewalk and pavement edge are within the ROW and not an easement.

Posted 2 years ago #
anonyme
Member Profile

First, I'd like to repeat what several people above have already stated: the area between curb & sidewalk is a PLANTING strip, not a parking strip. There are several folks on my block who think this is their private parking pad and the sidewalk a public driveway for their convenience.

While it is legal to park anywhere you like on the street, there is an issue I did not see addressed in previous posts. That is the issue of "car ranching" something we have in abundance in Arbor Heights. There are many houses (often rentals) that have backyard mechanics who "ranch out" their junk cars all over the neighborhood. Most of the small, urban properties in West Seattle with driveways and small garages were meant to accommodate one, possibly two cars. Four, five, six cars (and up) per household is not sustainable, nor should it be tolerated in the City limits. Just take a drive by the corner of 35th & 98th and you'll know what I'm talking about. The 72 hour abandoned vehicle law does not really address the issue; more needs to be done to prohibit this activity and the burden it places on neighborhoods.

I have no problem at all with neighbors and respectful guests parking around my house. What I resent is being surrounded by junk cars driven by transient tenants.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sue
Member Profile

I saw a mention or two about getting a handicapped spot installed by the city for those who have mobility problems. Keep in mind that those spots are also still public spots - you may request one and have it put in, but anyone with a valid permit may park there - it's not reserved for the homeowner.

http://www.cityofseattle.net/transportation/parking/disabledparking.htm
(scroll down to "residential parking")

Posted 2 years ago #
MargL
Member Profile

Yes the whole 'car lot' at 98th and 35th is very unfortunate... And if you view the lot from overhead in Google maps you can see just how bad it is!
He's been there quite awhile tho' - so not really 'transient'.

Posted 2 years ago #
johnnyblegs
Member Profile

Wow MargL, you weren't kidding! I just google mapped it and the aerial view IS quite impressive. What do you do with that many cars? Cash for Clunkers man!

Posted 2 years ago #
anonyme
Member Profile

To clarify, I didn't mean to suggest that all problem houses belong to "transients". I'm pretty sure the house at 35th & 98th is owned, not rented. The City went in and violated them on some code issues within the last year, but the car situation has not improved a great deal. The guy even owns a huge flat bed tow truck (also parked on the right of way about 300 days per year) that he brings the junk vehicles in on. Some of them are even parked in the yard of the adjacent property. I'm wondering if this could be declared a nuisance property under the new guidelines...?

Posted 2 years ago #
MrJT
Member Profile

Don't bother the City.. Call Hoarders.

Posted 2 years ago #