FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction RPZ signs start arriving. What about enforcement?

Days after other new parking-limit signs went up in the West Seattle Junction, signage is now arriving for Restricted Parking Zone 35. Thanks to Sarah for the tip via this comment, in which she also wondered about enforcement. So we asked SDOT. The reply:

SDOT is not in charge of parking enforcement, but we did request that SPD Parking Enforcement consider issuing courtesy notices rather than citations for the first week or two to educate people about the change. With that said, neighborhood residents who park on the street should be sure to display their permits now. Anyone who qualifies but does not yet have a permit should get a permit as soon as they can.

Here’s how to do that. And here again is the map of the new parking restrictions:

The changes were announced in June, two and a half years after a Junction resident initiated the request – which in turn was seven years after the city had rejected the previous community request for one. This is West Seattle’s second RPZ; the only other one is near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal.

33 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction RPZ signs start arriving. What about enforcement?"

  • Notonholden November 18, 2019 (6:35 pm)

    I feel like a doofus, I didn’t realize that you have to get the $65 permit AND the $30 guest permit.  I already pay for off street parking every month and feel like there should be some kind of exception but I guess not?  And my next follow up question will be “so can my guest use the permit and I can give another guest the guest permit?” So no matter what there will be two permits issued at minimum even if you already have off street parking…

    • Gharper November 19, 2019 (9:13 am)

      can my guest use the permit and I can give another guest the guest permit?”

      My understanding is no – the resident permit is tied to your car’s license plate, and I had to provide proof of residency as well as car registration when I applied for my permit.  On top  of that, the resident permit sticker isn’t easy to remove once it’s on your windshield, and I seem to recall specific wording in the paperwork stating that I couldn’t share or give away the resident permit.

  • Scott November 18, 2019 (6:46 pm)

    Sign sign everywhere a sign—do this don’t do that can’t you read the sign?

    • Lisab November 19, 2019 (7:12 am)

      Good one, Scott!!:)

  • Elizh November 18, 2019 (7:16 pm)

    Yeah, I have the same question…

  • Rick November 18, 2019 (8:06 pm)

    Does this mean that if you have a permit you can park all day in 2 hour zones in front of businesses?

  • Sheila G November 18, 2019 (9:43 pm)

    Regarding the guest permit…I’m pretty certain that the first permit you buy (for $65, good for 2 years) is supposed to be attached permanently in your car. You are required to give your license plate number and it will be verified by the issuing agency as YOUR car.  So you aren’t supposed to use it as a guest permit. But the guest permit is a hangtag and you can use it for any of your guests.  I believe that  more than one sticker permit can be purchased if  you can verify more than one resident +vehicle at your address. It seems a little crazy that you can’t just buy one guest permit but that’s not the way the program works. You have to buy the $65 one for yourself, the resident. Then the guest permit.

    • Notonholden November 19, 2019 (4:23 am)

      That is correct; you have to buy the $65 permit AND a guest permit if you want one for guests. In my situation I am paying monthly for off street parking and it’s only me and one vehicle.  So I’m paying for a permit I will never use so I can also get one for guests.  

      • Eric needs RPZ November 19, 2019 (9:21 am)

        I will buy it from you, NOTONHOLDEN, I work in the Junction and have trouble getting up steep hills.  Please contact me if you would be willing to sell it:  emonic99@hotmail.comThanks, Eric

        • JD November 19, 2019 (10:22 am)

          You should apply for a disabled parking permit instead of asking someone to commit fraud. You are not entitled to an RPZ permit if you do not live inside the RPZ zone.

        • WS Guy November 19, 2019 (1:07 pm)

          RPZ permits are not legally transferable.  You are soliciting something illegal, Eric.  There is plenty of bus service and private parking at the Junction.  Maybe your employer would even help pay for it. 

      • KBear November 19, 2019 (9:40 am)

        Actually, you CAN get a guest permit alone, but it costs the same as a resident permit and you can’t use it on your own vehicle.

  • Mj November 19, 2019 (8:54 am)

    Lovely more public street space being gifted to the adjacent properties at well below market rates!  Setting the use rate at market value would be an easy and equitable way for the City to raise revenue.

  • Airwolf November 19, 2019 (9:33 am)

    I am confused. This makes me want to get rid of my car.  I’ll try to read and understand the rules. Thanks WSB for providing the links.

    • neighbor November 19, 2019 (9:51 am)

      Airwolf, I think that’s the point.

  • skeeter November 19, 2019 (12:35 pm)

    The map above isn’t totally accurate with respect to parking restrictions.  There is an on-street bike rack in front of Starbucks at the corner of Alaska and California.  It is free to park/lock a bike and there is no time restriction.  My family has used it many times.  It really makes life easy for us.  I encourage folks to give it a try — especially if you need more than 2 hours and you don’t want to pay for parking.

  • Hmmm November 19, 2019 (3:29 pm)

    Airwolf. The city would FREAK OUT if you get rid of your car!!!! Why? there would be ZERO income from car tab fee’s($30 or the inflated current one’s)plus there’d be ZERO income from gas tax’s. Plus the sales tax loss from car and car parts/repair’s.

  • Sarah McCaghren November 19, 2019 (7:32 pm)

    If you have an RPZ decal (because you are a resident in the Junction RPZ), it’s good anywhere in the RPZ, right?  Not just on your block?  Same with the Guest hashtag?  Anyone know? 

    • WSB November 19, 2019 (7:45 pm)

      A Zone 35 permit is a Zone 35 permit. But just Zone 35. Doesn’t mean you could park in the, say, Fauntleroy RPZ during restricted hours.

  • Readup November 19, 2019 (8:54 pm)

    Sounds like everyone has some reading to do!

  • MrB November 19, 2019 (9:40 pm)

    Alternative headline:  City implements new ways to criminalize everyday life.  

  • Rick November 20, 2019 (5:50 am)

    I lived just off Fauntleroy on Monroe St. just north of the north parking lot in the late 70’s and parking became an issue due to commuters. If I remember correctly (?) RPZ’s were instituted about the time I moved away.

  • Fed Up November 20, 2019 (8:19 am)

    Finally!  Bring on the enforcement. I see 5-8 commuters a day use the street in front of my house as a park n ride.  Leaves the residents no place to park. Tax dollars finally paying off. 

    • KBear November 20, 2019 (11:03 am)

      Everyone’s tax dollars paid for the street, and everyone should be allowed to use it. Residents can park in their garages and driveways if they need a spot reserved for them. People who buy or rent a place with no off-street parking shouldn’t count on the city to provide parking for them.

    • Jon Wright November 20, 2019 (6:53 pm)

      Oh NOES! Members of the public have the audacity to park legally in the public right-of-way! Next thing you know, those cretins will want to DRIVE on the public roads, too!

  • BJG November 20, 2019 (4:01 pm)

    Just noticed the new signs placed down 45th to Edmunds. Guess they’re coming. Wondering when the RPZ permits ordered some time ago will finally show up. Meantime, feel free to park 2 hrs at a time in all RPZ neighborhoods during the work week and whenever allowed at all other times. Nobody has stolen the public streets. Geesh!

  • BJG November 20, 2019 (4:24 pm)

    Answer to a question asked: My “just arrived” guest pass is specific to our address. The car decal is specific to my license plate so neither is transferrable.

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