10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Pierce County, RVs, boats, and trailers may be stored on private residential property, but occupying a recreational vehicle as a dwelling requires a Temporary Use Permit, and inoperable or derelict units fall under the Chapter 8.08 nuisance code. Cities set their own limits.
Pierce County Code 8.08.050(I)
Property where one or more abandoned or derelict vessels, junk vehicles, or vehicle or vessel parts are accumulated, dismantled, parked, placed or stored unless the abandoned or derelict vessels, junk vehicles, or parts thereof pose no threat to human health or safety or to the environment.
Driveway and access standards in unincorporated Pierce County are set by the Title 18A zoning and off-street parking code (PCC 18A.35.040), with associated design standards in Title 18J. On public roads, RCW 46.61.570 bars parking in front of a driveway or within five feet of the curb radius leading to
Pierce County Code 18A.35.040(D)(1)
For a single-family dwelling, required parking facilities shall be located on the same lot or building site as the building they are required to serve, except for projects designed according to the Urban Infill Design Standards of Title 18J PCC.
In unincorporated Pierce County, commercial vehicle parking is governed through Title 18A zoning use and off-street parking standards; using residential property to dismantle, salvage, store, or repair vehicles without required permits is a public nuisance under PCC 8.08.050. State placement rules in RCW 46.61.570 apply on public roads. Cities set
Pierce County Code 8.08.050(G)
Property used or maintained for the purpose of dismantling, salvaging, storing, or repairing of machinery, metals, or vehicles except where the landowner has obtained all licenses, permits, and approvals necessary to conduct such activity on the property.
Street parking on public roads in unincorporated Pierce County follows Washington state law, RCW 46.61.570, which prohibits stopping, standing, or parking within intersections, crosswalks, on sidewalks, and in other specified places. Pierce County may add time limits or restrictions by county resolution, and cities like Tacoma set their own on-street
RCW 46.61.570(1)(b)
Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger or passengers: (i) In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading thereto; (ii) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; (iii) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk.
Unincorporated Pierce County has no blanket overnight on-street parking ban; state law RCW 46.61.570 governs where vehicles may stand, and a vehicle left too long may be tagged and impounded under RCW 46.55. Overnight living in an RV on a residential lot requires a Temporary Use Permit. Cities set their
RCW 46.55.085(1)(c)
A statement that if the vehicle is not removed within twenty-four hours from the time the sticker is attached, the vehicle may be taken into custody and stored at the owner's expense.
Pierce County requires new development in unincorporated areas to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure under PCC 18A.35.040, following Table 18A.35.040-3 for EV charging stations, EV-Ready, and EV-Capable spaces. Equipment must meet RCW Chapter 19.28 and NEC Article 625, with exceptions for small parking areas and sites without power.
Pierce County Code 18A.35.040(9)
Buildings and accessory structures shall be provided with EV charging stations, EV-Ready parking spaces, and EV-capable parking spaces in accordance with Table 18A.35.040-3. Calculations shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
Pierce County runs a junk-vehicle removal program in unincorporated areas under the Chapter 8.08 nuisance code, and abandoned vehicles on public roads are handled under RCW Chapter 46.55. A vehicle left on a highway right-of-way may be towed 24 hours after tagging; on private residential property a vehicle may be
Pierce County Code 8.08.030
"Junk Vehicle" means a motor vehicle meeting at least three of the following requirements: 1. Is three years old or older; 2. Is extensively damaged; 3. Is apparently inoperable; or 4. Has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it.
In unincorporated Pierce County, curb colors and no-parking markings are established by the County, not private residents. Under RCW 46.61.570, parking restrictions are effective only when set by official signs or markings, and parking limits are imposed by county resolution. Residents may not paint public curbs to reserve parking. Cities
RCW 46.61.570(4)
It shall be unlawful for any person to reserve or attempt to reserve any portion of a highway for the purpose of stopping, standing, or parking to the exclusion of any other like person, nor shall any person be granted such right.
Loading and unloading on public roads in unincorporated Pierce County follows Washington's RCW 46.61.570, which allows parking for loading only temporarily while actually loading or unloading, and bars parking within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. Off-street loading facilities for development are set by the Title 18A zoning code. Cities
RCW 46.61.570(1)(c)
Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers: (i) Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; or (ii) At any place where official signs prohibit parking.
Unincorporated Pierce County regulates oversized and large-vehicle storage through the Title 18A zoning code and the Chapter 8.08 nuisance provisions rather than a single size cap. A wrecked, dismantled, or derelict oversized vehicle is a public nuisance under PCC 8.08.050. On public roads, RCW 46.61.570 placement rules apply. Cities impose
Pierce County Code 8.08.030
"Vehicle" shall include, but not be limited to, automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, buses, motorized recreational vehicles, campers, travel trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, or other similar devices capable of moving or being moved on the public right-of-way.
3 cities in Pierce County have their own parking rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Pierce County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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