Parking Rules in Auburn, WA

If you live in Auburn or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Auburn has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Loading Zones

Auburn limits vehicles in marked loading zones to expeditious loading or unloading only, capping the stop at 15 minutes under ACC 10.36.520. The restriction runs during business hours only: it does not apply between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or on Sundays and holidays. Curbs are painted white to mark the zones under ACC 10.36.480.

Key details: Loading time limit: 15 minutes maximum per stop. Hours restriction applies: Not 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m., Sundays, holidays. Fine: $30.00 infraction under ACC 10.36.530. Curb marking: White paint, or signs in the CBD. Impound authority: Chief of police under ACC 10.36.360.

Parking beyond the 15-minute loading window, or parking in a loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading, is an infraction under ACC 10.36.530 punishable by a $30.00 fine. Vehicles left in a loading zone in violation of ACC 10.36.190 through 10.36.520 may also be impounded by the chief of police or a designee under ACC 10.36.360, with towing and storage costs billed to the owner before the vehicle is released.

Preferential Parking Districts

Auburn's city engineer creates Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs) under ACC Chapter 10.41 to reserve on-street parking for abutting residents where a documented parking problem exists. Each property gets up to three resident permits plus one visitor permit, and parking without a valid permit draws a $50 fine, rising to $60 after 15 days.

Key details: Governing chapter: ACC Chapter 10.41. Permits per property: 3 resident permits + 1 visitor permit. Violation fine: $50.00, or $60.00 after 15 days. Permit abuse penalty: 1-year permit ineligibility. Who establishes zones: City engineer, per ACC 10.41.010.

Parking in a restricted zone without displaying a valid city-issued permit under ACC 10.41.030 is a $50.00 infraction if paid within 15 days, rising to $60.00 after 15 days. Separately, selling, renting or otherwise transferring a permit for money violates ACC 10.41.040, and the responsible permit holder loses eligibility for a new permit for a full year.

RV & Boat Parking

Auburn caps unpermitted recreational-vehicle parking in the public right-of-way at 24 hours and bans overnight occupancy of a parked RV under ACC 10.36.191. Residents can get a permit letting an RV sit up to three consecutive days, capped at two permits per property per year, but violations carry a $250.00 fine per day.

Key details: Unpermitted RV limit: 24 hours in the right-of-way. Overnight occupancy: Prohibited, permit or not. Permit duration: Up to 3 consecutive days. Permit frequency cap: 2 permits per property per year. Fine: $250.00 per violation, per day.

Violating ACC 10.36.191 is a parking infraction carrying a $250.00 fine, with each calendar day of violation, and each RV or trailer parked unlawfully, charged as a separate offense. RVs left in violation are subject to impoundment under ACC 10.36.360, with towing and storage costs billed to the owner. The same $250.00 per-violation fine applies to an unlawfully parked trailer under ACC 10.36.192.

This is one of the stricter rules in Auburn's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

EV Charging

Auburn allows electric vehicle charging stations by right in every zoning district under ACC 18.47.020, from the PUD, RC and R-1 districts through commercial and industrial land, with rapid charging in residential zones limited to restricted-type stations. The city sets no minimum number of stations, but ACC 18.47.060 lets a charging stall count toward a site's required parking.

Key details: Governing chapter: ACC 18.47, adopted 2011, amended 2022. Minimum stations required: None; installation is voluntary citywide. Rapid charging in residential zones: Restricted-type stations only (ACC 18.04.354). Accessible stations: 1 per 50 stations, rising with total count. Signage: Must state time limits, hours, charging-only use.

ACC 18.47 does not set a stand-alone fine for misusing a charging space; a vehicle parked in a marked charging stall without charging, or blocking accessibility to one, is enforced through the space's posted signage and the city's general zoning and parking rules. Property owners who install charging equipment must keep it in working order and post a repair contact number, or risk a code compliance complaint under Chapter 1.25 ACC.

Driveway Rules

Auburn requires every parking area on private property, including driveways, to be paved with concrete, asphalt, grass block pavers or pervious pavement under ACC 18.52.050(E). Single-family and duplex driveways must be at least 11 feet wide, and no more than 50 percent of the front yard or 800 square feet, whichever is smaller, may be used for off-street parking surface.

Key details: Required surface: Asphalt, concrete, grass block pavers, or pervious pavement. Minimum driveway width: 11 feet for single-family/duplex lots. Front-yard parking cap: 50% of front yard or 800 sq ft. Right-of-way crossing: Must be cement concrete. Gravel allowance: Only for extra RV/boat/trailer spaces, contained.

ACC 18.52.050 is enforced as a zoning violation under the city's general code compliance process in Chapter 1.25 ACC: an unpaved or undersized driveway found during a permit inspection, complaint, or redevelopment review can be ordered corrected, with the property owner responsible for bringing the surface, width and front-yard coverage into compliance before the city closes out the violation.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Auburn bans parking any commercial vehicle on residential property zoned R-2, R-3, R-4 or planned unit development under ACC 18.52.065. In the R-1 zone, a property may host only one commercial vehicle, and in the RC residential conservancy zone up to two, with no exception for larger fleet or delivery trucks.

Key details: Zones with total ban: R-2, R-3, R-4, and PUD. R-1 zone cap: One commercial vehicle per property. RC zone cap: Two commercial vehicles per property. Enforcement: Zoning violation under Chapter 1.25 ACC.

Parking a commercial vehicle in violation of ACC 18.52.065, whether an outright ban in R-2, R-3, R-4 or PUD zones or exceeding the one- or two-vehicle cap in R-1 or RC zones, is enforced as a zoning violation under Chapter 1.25 ACC. Code enforcement can issue a notice to remove the vehicle and pursue civil penalties for continued noncompliance after the correction period in the notice expires.

This is one of the stricter rules in Auburn's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicles left over 72 hours on Auburn streets, or with expired tabs and flat tires, can be tagged and towed as abandoned under RCW 46.55 and ACC Title 10 enforcement.

Key details: Street Threshold: 72 hours. Private Property: ACC 8.12 junk vehicles. Tow Authority: RCW 46.55. Hearing: RCW 46.55.120. Report: Police (253) 288-2121.

Street Parking Limits

On-street parking in Auburn is governed by ACC Title 10 and RCW 46.55, with a 72-hour limit on continuous parking and strict no-park zones near hydrants, driveways, and intersections.

Key details: Time Limit: 72 hours maximum. Hydrant Clearance: 15 feet minimum. Curb Distance: Within 12 inches. Code: ACC Title 10 + RCW 46.55. Report: Police (253) 288-2121.

The Bottom Line

Auburn is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Auburn, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Auburn's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.