Federal Way's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Federal Way, Washington, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Abandoned Vehicles

Federal Way treats junk and junked vehicles as a public nuisance under FWRC 7.20.020, letting code enforcement or police impound them from public or private property. FWRC 7.20.010 requires 15 days' written notice to the property owner and registered owner before removal, with a right to request a hearing before the vehicle is towed.

Key details: Notice period: 15 days' written notice before impoundment. Hearing right: Owner may request hearing before removal. Exemption: Enclosed or fenced dismantler-lot vehicles exempt. Warrant: Not needed if visible from right-of-way. Fines: $100 to $500 escalating per-day penalty.

Failing to correct a junk-vehicle violation after a code enforcement notice and order triggers the citywide civil penalty schedule under FWRC 1.15.040(5): $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second, $300 for a third, and $500 for each additional violation of the same nature, accruing per day the violation continues past the correction deadline. The city can also abate the nuisance directly and assess removal and towing costs against the vehicle's registered owner or the property owner under FWRC 7.20.010(4).

Snow Removal Parking Rules

When Federal Way's public works director declares a snow alert, FWRC 8.60.030 bans parking on any designated primary snow route until the alert ends, and Federal Way police can tow a vehicle left on that route under FWRC 8.60.040, with notice given under state law.

Key details: Who declares an alert: Public works director or designee. Where posted: City website (primary snow routes). Tow authority: Federal Way police, FWRC 8.60.040. Governing chapter: FWRC Chapter 8.60.

A vehicle parked on a designated primary snow route during a declared snow alert can be towed immediately by Federal Way police under FWRC 8.60.040, with notice given under Chapter 46.55 RCW, and the owner bears the towing and storage costs. Leaving a disabled vehicle blocking a snow-covered travelway in violation of FWRC 8.60.050 is enforced the same way.

Driveway Rules

Federal Way requires driveways and parking areas to be surfaced with a material comparable to the abutting right-of-way, and single-family lots must pave the first 40 feet of an unpaved driveway from the sidewalk or right-of-way under FWRC 19.130.210. Front-yard driveways and parking pads also face separate width and setback limits.

Key details: Unpaved driveway limit: First 40 feet must be surfaced. Front-yard driveway width: Max 20 feet, with named exceptions. Side setback: At least 5 feet from side line. Parking pad material: Asphalt, cement, gravel, pavers, or LID. Side yard parking: Not allowed at all.

Maintaining an unpaved driveway beyond the first 40 feet from the sidewalk or right-of-way, using a parking pad surface other than asphalt, cement, gravel, pavers, or an approved LID method, or building a front-yard driveway or parking pad wider than 20 feet or closer than five feet to a side line, violates FWRC 19.130.210, FWRC 19.130.246, or FWRC 19.130.240. Zoning code violations are enforced as civil code violations under the general penalty in FWRC 1.10.010, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both.

RV & Boat Parking

Federal Way lets residents keep one recreational vehicle, utility trailer or boat outside on a residential lot, but FWRC 19.130.260 requires it stay licensed, operable, out of the front yard unless there is no side or rear access, and clear of rights-of-way and driveway or intersection sightlines.

Key details: Max units stored: 1 RV, 1 trailer, 1 boat. Front-yard rule: Barred unless no side or rear access. Occupancy without permit: Max 14 days per 180 days. Equipment condition: Must be licensed and operable. Governing section: FWRC 19.130.260.

Parking or storing an RV, trailer or boat in violation of FWRC 19.130.260 is a zoning code violation that Federal Way's community development department can enforce through the civil abatement and penalty procedures set out in FWRC Title 1, which authorize fines and can require the vehicle's removal from the property until it complies.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Federal Way caps residential-lot commercial vehicle parking under FWRC 19.130.250: one vehicle under 10,000 pounds GVWR on most residential lots, or one of any weight on RS 35.0 and suburban estates lots, with a 48-hour loading exception and an active-construction-permit exception.

Key details: GVWR cap (most zones): 10,000 pounds, one vehicle. RS 35.0 / SE zones: One vehicle, any GVWR. Loading exception: 48 hours max. Small construction vehicle: Max 9 ft tall, 22 ft long. Governing section: FWRC 19.130.250.

A commercial vehicle parked or stored in violation of FWRC 19.130.250, including exceeding the one-vehicle cap or parking an oversized rig outside the loading or construction-permit exceptions, is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement action and civil penalties under FWRC Title 1's general nuisance and abatement provisions, which can require removal of the vehicle from the property.

Overnight Parking

Federal Way sets no single citywide overnight parking curfew in its code; instead FWRC 8.50.040 lets the public works director prohibit or limit on-street parking hours anywhere in the city, and FWRC 8.50.050 makes any such time restriction unenforceable until posted on a sign at that location.

Key details: Sets the actual hours: Public works director, by location. Enforceable only if: Restriction sign is posted. Governing sections: FWRC 8.50.040, 8.50.050. Applies to: All city streets and rights-of-way.

Parking in violation of a posted FWRC 8.50.040 restriction is enforced by Federal Way police as a parking infraction, and a vehicle left in violation can be cited or, if it obstructs traffic or safety, impounded under the city's general vehicle-removal authority. Because FWRC 8.50.050 makes signage mandatory, a restriction cannot be enforced on a block where no sign has been posted.

Curb Color Rules

Federal Way requires every designated fire lane to be marked with a yellow-painted six-inch curb or stripe and 18-inch 'No Parking - Fire Lane' lettering under FWRC 8.55.050, and parking in or obstructing a marked fire lane draws a fine under FWRC 8.55.030.

Key details: Curb paint color: Yellow, min. six-inch curb. Lettering size: Min. 18 inches, 50-ft spacing. Max fine: $150.00 per violation, per day. Nonresponse penalty: $25.00 added fine. Governing section: FWRC 8.55.050.

FWRC 8.55.030 makes it an infraction to fail to mark or maintain a fire lane's markings, or to park in, allow parking in, or obstruct a designated fire lane, each punishable by a fine of up to $150.00, with every day of an ongoing violation counted as a separate offense. A driver who ignores the infraction notice owes an added $25.00 nonresponse penalty. FWRC 8.55.040 lets the city impound an obstructing vehicle immediately, without prior notice to the owner, at the owner's expense.

EV Charging

Federal Way regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure under FWRC Chapter 19.295, covering principal-use charging stations, accessory charging at apartments and commercial sites, and home charging for single-family residents. Signage, fee disclosure, maintenance and lighting standards apply citywide.

Key details: Governing chapter: FWRC 19.295, adopted Ord. 25-1002 (2-4-25). Repair deadline: 30 days after damage reported. Accessory EV space cap: 50% of required parking spaces. Single-family use: Personal use only, no commercial charging. Fee disclosure standard: RCW 19.94.560 and 23 CFR 680.106.

FWRC 19.295.030(1)(c) makes the station owner or operator responsible for equipment upkeep; damaged charging infrastructure that is not repaired or replaced within 30 days of a reported problem is a code violation, enforceable the same as other zoning code violations under FWRC Title 19. Sites that exceed the 50 percent cap on EV spaces counted toward required parking, or that skip the required point-of-sale fee disclosure signage, are also out of compliance and subject to the city's standard zoning enforcement and permit-correction process.

The Bottom Line

Federal Way's parking rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Federal Way is broadly strict or permissive.

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