Tacoma, WA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

"Obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic" means to walk, stand, sit, lie, or place an object in such a manner as to block passage by another person or a driver of a vehicle, or to cause another person or a driver of a vehicle to take evasive action to avoid physical contact. Acts authorized by a permit issued pursuant to the Tacoma Municipal Code, such as under Titles 9 and 10, shall not constitute obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. "Public place" means an area generally visible to public view and includes alleys, bridges, buildings, driveways, parking lots, parks, plazas, sidewalks and streets open to the general public, including those that serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.

B. A person is guilty of pedestrian interference if, in a public place, he or she intentionally obstructs pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

C. Pedestrian interference may be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment in jail for a term not to exceed 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 24895 § 2, 1991-04-30; Ord. 27600 § 3, Ex. A, 2007-04-03)