Parking Rules in Vancouver, WA (2026)
8 verified parking rules for Vancouver, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
RV, Boat and Trailer Parking on Vancouver, WA Property
Significant RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 17.14.290(B)
B. Recreational vehicles, boats, trailers. Recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers shall be parked, kept or stored on an improved all weather surface and shall not be parked, kept or stored in required front yard setbacks, except for a legally established driveway that is located out of sight triangles as per 20.985 VMC; does not extend into City right-of-way; and is currently licensed and r...
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.
Driveway and Setback Parking Rules in Vancouver, WA
Some RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 17.14.290(A)
A. Motor vehicles. Motor vehicles shall be parked on improved all weather surfaces. Motor Vehicles, other than those in subsection (B) of this section, shall not be parked in the setbacks except in front yard or side street setbacks when in a driveway that provides access to an approved parking location and in conformance with VMC title 20. Parked motor vehicles shall not block access to requir...
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.
Truck Tractor and Heavy Equipment Parking in Vancouver, WA
Heavy RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 17.14.290(C), (D)
C. Truck tractors and semi-trailers. Truck tractors, as defined in RCW 46.04.655, and semi-trailers, as defined in RCW 46.04.530, shall not be parked, kept or stored in residentially zoned areas, on residential property in other zones or on sites that have not been permitted, improved and approved for such use. This requirement shall not apply to the parking, keeping or storage of agricultural ...
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.
On-Street Parking and Obstruction Rules in Vancouver, WA
Some RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code §§ 19.12.070, 19.12.090
No vehicle shall be parked in any alley, except when actually engaged in loading or unloading some commodity or when there is a driver at the wheel capable of moving the same. ... No person shall park any vehicle upon any highway in a manner which obstructs or otherwise interferes with vehicular or bicycle traffic upon the traveled portions of the roadway and bicycle lane.
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.
24-Hour Limit on Parked Vehicles on Vancouver, WA Streets
Some RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 19.12.100
A. No vehicles shall remain parked on a highway longer than 24 hours without a valid permit. Vehicles parked longer than 24 hours may be issued a parking citation. 1. A law enforcement officer discovering an unauthorized vehicle left upon a highway shall visibly mark the vehicle and attach to the vehicle a readily visible notification tag. The tag shall contain the following information: a. The...
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)).
Vancouver WA Electric Vehicle Charging Parking Rules
Light RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 20.895.120(D)(5), (7); § 20.945.070(H)(4)
5. All loading docks shall be outfitted with electric wiring and conduit extending to electric panels to enable future installation of outlets for charging of electric-powered trucks. ... 7. Electric Vehicle Charging. EV charging stations shall be provided at a minimum of 20 percent of parking spaces on site. ... 4. Parking stalls used for electric vehicle basic charging stations and rapid char...
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.
Junk and Inoperable Vehicles on Private Property in Vancouver, WA
Significant RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 17.14.280
A. Junk vehicles. The storage or retention of junk vehicles on private property is declared a public nuisance and is prohibited. B. Inoperable vehicles. The storage of inoperable vehicles on private property is declared a public nuisance. No person shall retain or store outdoors an inoperable vehicle for more than seven (7) consecutive or non-consecutive days in any calendar year. No more than ...
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.
Vancouver WA Loading Zone Hours and Use Rules
Light RestrictionsVancouver Municipal Code § 9.60.060
A. Commercial Vehicle Priority. Loading zones, other than those adjacent to hotel entrances and exits, shall be reserved primarily for use by commercial vehicles in loading and unloading persons and commodities between the hours of eight a.m. and six p.m. on all days except Sundays and holidays, and no person shall stop, stand or park any vehicle other than a commercial vehicle therein between ...
Looking for Clark County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vancouver city rules.
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