Unincorporated King County does not enforce a sit-lie ordinance, but Seattle's SMC 15.48.040 prohibits sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and Bellevue and Kent have similar narrow daytime restrictions in commercial cores.
Sit-lie laws regulate the use of public sidewalks in commercial districts. Seattle's ordinance, in effect since 1993 and amended after Martin v. Boise, applies only to specific downtown and neighborhood business districts and only during business hours. Police must offer a warning and information about shelter or services before issuing a citation. Bellevue and Kent enforce similar narrow geographic and time-limited rules. Unincorporated King County and most suburban cities have no general sit-lie prohibition. The Ninth Circuit's Martin and Grants Pass decisions limit cities from criminalizing simply sitting or sleeping outside when no shelter beds are available, shaping local enforcement practice.
First Seattle sit-lie violations typically result in a verbal warning. Repeat or refusal to move can lead to a misdemeanor citation, though most cases are diverted to community court or service referrals through the LEAD program.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Seattle, WA
Seattle's Land Use Code allows residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and yard art without permits provided structures do not exceed accessory-structure heigh...
Seattle, WA
Seattle does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08) limits apply to blower-motor noise...
Seattle, WA
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified ou...
Seattle, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Seattle require building permits from SDCI when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof under Se...
Seattle, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Seattle are allowed at single-family homes but are subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section ...
Seattle, WA
Seattle Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildi...
See how Seattle's sit-lie rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.