Vancouver's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Vancouver, 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.

Loading Zones

In Vancouver, Washington, curb loading zones are reserved primarily for commercial vehicles between eight a.m. and six p.m. on all days except Sundays and holidays. Other vehicles can stop only while actually loading or unloading and must give way on demand. At all other times the space reverts to general use under the district's parking regulations.

Key details: Commercial priority hours: Eight a.m. to six p.m., all days except Sundays and holidays. Noncommercial vehicles: Only while actually loading or unloading, and must give way on demand. Hotel loading zones: Reserved at all times for loading and unloading only. Outside priority hours: General use under the district's parking regulations. Zones established by: The traffic engineer under VMC 9.60.050.

Section 9.60.060 prints no fine of its own. The prohibition is that no person shall stop, stand or park a non-commercial vehicle in the zone between eight a.m. and six p.m. except while actually loading or unloading, and that hotel zones are for loading and unloading only. VMC 9.60.050 says that in the absence of signs, the general provisions of Title 9 govern the use of loading zones. Bus zones are a different zone type: VMC 9.60.010 makes those a traffic infraction with towing by C-Tran.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Vancouver gives residents more flexibility on loading zones.

Abandoned Vehicles

Vancouver, Washington bans the storage of junk vehicles on private property outright and declares them a public nuisance. An inoperable vehicle can be kept outdoors for no more than seven days, consecutive or not, in any calendar year, and only one unenclosed or unscreened inoperable vehicle is allowed on a property at any one time.

Key details: Junk vehicles: Prohibited on private property and declared a public nuisance. Inoperable vehicle limit: Seven days outdoors in any calendar year. Unscreened inoperable vehicles: One per property at any one time. Inoperable test: Cannot move 100 feet forward and reverse under own power. Civil penalty schedule: $250 first, $500 second, $1,000 subsequent (VMC 22.02.070(D)).

Chapter 17.14 is enforced under VMC Title 22 as a civil violation. The penalty schedule in VMC 22.02.070(D) covers all chapters in Title 17 except chapter 17.39: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for subsequent violations within any two-year period. A daily monetary penalty under the same schedule accrues automatically if the corrective action in the notice of civil violation and order is not completed by the corrective date. Cumulative penalties cannot be collected until the responsible person has had written notice of an opportunity to appeal under VMC 22.03.020.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Vancouver actively enforces its abandoned vehicles requirements.

RV & Boat Parking

Vancouver, Washington requires recreational vehicles, boats and trailers to sit on an improved all weather surface and keeps them out of required front yard setbacks unless they are on a legally established driveway. Side and rear yard parking must leave emergency access on all sides of a structure and be screened by a 6' fence or hedge.

Key details: Surface required: Improved all weather surface: asphalt, concrete, pavers or approved surface. Front yard setback: Only on a legally established, licensed and registered driveway setup. Side and rear yards: Allowed with emergency responder access to all sides of a structure. Screening: 6' fence or hedge from street and adjoining properties. RV occupancy on a lot: Fourteen days in any calendar year.

Chapter 17.14 is enforced under VMC Title 22. The penalty schedule in VMC 22.02.070(D) covers all chapters in Title 17 except chapter 17.39: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for subsequent violations within any two-year period. A daily monetary penalty accrues under the same schedule when the corrective action in a notice of civil violation and order is missed by the corrective date. Anyone denied or stripped of a street permit under VMC 19.10.070 can appeal in writing to a hearings examiner within seven working days.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Vancouver actively enforces its rv & boat parking requirements.

Driveway Rules

Vancouver, Washington requires motor vehicles to be parked on improved all weather surfaces. Outside a driveway, vehicles cannot be parked in setbacks; the only setback parking allowed is in the front yard or side street setback when the vehicle sits in a driveway that leads to an approved parking location and meets VMC Title 20.

Key details: Surface: Improved all weather surface required. Improved surface means: Asphalt, concrete, pavers or other surface approved by planning official. Setback parking: Only front yard or side street setback, in a driveway. Driveway condition: Must lead to an approved parking location and meet VMC Title 20. Blocking: Parked vehicles shall not block access to required parking.

These are chapter 17.14 requirements enforced under VMC Title 22. The penalty schedule in VMC 22.02.070(D) applies to all chapters in Title 17 except chapter 17.39: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for subsequent violations within any two-year period. A daily monetary penalty accrues under the same schedule if the corrective action in the notice of civil violation and order is not completed by the corrective date, and cumulative penalties require written notice of an opportunity to appeal under VMC 22.03.020.

EV Charging

Vancouver, Washington counts parking stalls used for EV basic and rapid charging stations toward the minimum required parking in a development (VMC 20.945.070(H)(4)). The only printed charging mandate is for warehouses larger than 250,000 square feet, which need EV charging stations at a minimum of 20 percent of parking spaces on site (VMC 20.895.120(D)(7)).

Key details: Charging stalls count toward minimum parking: Yes, basic and rapid charging stations, VMC 20.945.070(H)(4). Warehouse EV charging requirement: At least 20 percent of parking spaces on site. Warehouse size trigger: Larger than 250,000 square feet, ground floor. Loading dock wiring: Conduit to panels for future electric truck charging. Parking minimum for EV recharging station use: None in Table 20.945.070-2.

The charging mandate sits in the Special Use Standards, so a warehouse over 250,000 square feet that omits the 20 percent EV charging provision fails a development standard applied through the land use review process. The provision prints no separate fine. Enforcement of Title 20 conditions runs through the City's planning and code enforcement officials, and no penalty amount is printed in the sections quoted here.

The rules around ev charging in Vancouver lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Vancouver, Washington prohibits parking, keeping or storing truck tractors, semi-trailers and heavy commercial equipment in residentially zoned areas, on residential property in other zones, or on sites not permitted, improved and approved for that use. Agricultural machinery and equipment tied to an ongoing permitted project are exempt.

Key details: Covered vehicles: Truck tractors, semi-trailers and heavy commercial equipment. Where banned: Residentially zoned areas, residential property in other zones, unapproved sites. Heavy equipment threshold: Gross vehicle weight of 15,000 pounds or greater. Exemptions: Agricultural machinery for allowed agricultural use; equipment on permitted project. Residential street truck limit: Gross weight capacity over nine thousand pounds barred (VMC 19.12.080).

Chapter 17.14 is enforced through VMC Title 22. The schedule in VMC 22.02.070(D) applies to all chapters in Title 17 except chapter 17.39: $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for subsequent violations within any two-year period. A daily monetary penalty accrues under the same schedule if the corrective action in the notice of civil violation and order is not completed by the corrective date. Street violations of VMC 19.12.080 are parking infractions handled under the parking code, and VMC 19.14.010(B) makes the owner pay impoundment and storage costs.

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

Street Parking Limits

Vancouver, Washington bans parking in any alley unless the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded or a driver is at the wheel able to move it. No vehicle can be parked on a highway in a way that obstructs vehicular or bicycle traffic on the traveled roadway or bicycle lane.

Key details: Alleys: No parking unless loading or unloading, or driver at the wheel. Obstructing traffic: Barred on traveled roadway and bicycle lane (VMC 19.12.090). Prohibited parking fine: $40.00 within 30 days, $65.00 after. Street sweeping notice: Temporary signs placed 24 hours in advance. Long vehicle loading limit: Over thirty feet needs chief of police permit in business districts.

Obstructing traffic is listed under Prohibited Parking in VMC 19.13.070, and VMC 19.13.050(E) sets prohibited parking penalties at $40.00 if paid or postmarked within 30 calendar days and $65.00 after 30 days. Moving to evade is $35.00 and $60.00 on the same timing, and expired tabs is $50.00 and $75.00. Under VMC 19.14.010(B), officers are authorized to remove and impound vehicles violating the parking provisions, and impoundment and storage costs are paid by the vehicle's owner. Unpaid penalties after thirty days can lead to collection agency referral under VMC 19.13.080.

Overnight Parking

Vancouver, Washington does not allow any vehicle to remain parked on a highway longer than 24 hours without a valid permit. After a vehicle is tagged, the owner has twenty-four hours before the vehicle can be taken into custody and stored at the owner's expense.

Key details: Time limit: 24 hours on a highway without a valid permit. Warning period after tagging: Twenty-four hours before custody and storage. Prohibited parking fine: $40.00 within 30 days, $65.00 after. Tow destination: Place of safety, including a registered tow operator's business. Street permit for RVs: Free, seven days, renewable for seven more per calendar year.

Obstructing traffic and prolonged parking are both listed under Prohibited Parking in VMC 19.13.070. VMC 19.13.050(E) sets that penalty at $40.00 if paid or postmarked within 30 calendar days and $65.00 after 30 days. Under VMC 19.14.010(B), officers can remove and impound vehicles, and the owner pays impoundment and storage costs. Unpaid penalties after thirty days can lead to referral to a collection agency under VMC 19.13.080. Moving a vehicle to evade time limits is separately unlawful under VMC 19.12.020, at $35.00 and $60.00.

The Bottom Line

Vancouver is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Vancouver, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Vancouver can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.