Bothell, WA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Violations enforced
- Stoplight violations and school speed zone violations only
- Camera approval
- Bothell police chief, per location
- Advance signage
- Signs erected at least 30 days before activation
- School zone fine
- $139.00 for 1 to 15 mph over; $250.00 for 16 or more
- Notice deadline
- Mailed to registered owner within 14 days of violation
- Public reporting
- Annual report posted to the city website
Summary
In the City of Bothell, Washington, Chapter 10.65 of the Bothell Municipal Code authorizes automated traffic safety cameras for stoplight violations and school speed zone violations only. Under § 10.65.030 the police chief approves each camera location after budget, complaint and safety-data criteria are met, and signs go up 30 days before activation.
A. The police chief may authorize the deployment, or relocation, of automated traffic safety cameras at any stoplight or school speed zone fully or partially located within the city; provided, that for each individual deployment or relocation the following criteria must first be satisfied: 1. The city budget, as approved or amended by the city council, allocates funding for the deployment or relocation of an automated traffic safety camera at the proposed location; 2. The city has received complaints from residents, visitors, city staff, or city officials relating to school speed zone or stoplight violations at the proposed location; and ... B. Any automated traffic safety camera deployed in accordance with subsection A of this section may only be used by city law enforcement officers to detect one or both of the following: 1. Stoplight violations; or 2. School speed zone violations. ... 4. At least 30 days prior to activation of an automated traffic safety camera, signs must be erected at the school speed zone or stoplight at which the camera is deployed.
Full Breakdown
Bothell adopted its automated traffic safety camera program in Chapter 10.65 under RCW 46.63.170 (Ord. 2371, 2021), to deter stoplight violations and school speed zone violations within the City of Bothell. Section 10.65.030 gives the Bothell police chief the authority to deploy or relocate a camera at any stoplight or school speed zone fully or partially inside the city, but only after three things are true for that specific location: the city council's approved or amended budget funds the camera, the city has received complaints about violations there, and available data shows the camera would reduce vehicular speeds or increase pedestrian or nonmotorized safety. The cameras can detect nothing else.
The code also limits what a camera records. Pictures show only the vehicle and license plate, only while an infraction is occurring, and cannot reveal the face of the driver or passengers. At least 30 days before activation, signs following the federal manual of uniform traffic control devices must be erected, and they stay up as long as the camera is deployed. The yellow change interval at a stoplight cannot be shortened when a camera is installed.
Images are for the exclusive use of law enforcement, are not open to the public, and cannot be kept longer than necessary (BMC 10.65.040). A notice of infraction is mailed to the registered owner within 14 days of the violation, and a rental car business has 18 days after written notice to name the driver (BMC 10.65.050). The city manager can contract with a camera vendor, but pay must be based on the value of equipment and services and not on a share of fines or revenue (BMC 10.65.080). The police chief prepares an annual report for each calendar year a camera is active, covering the number and locations of cameras, accidents at each location, and notices issued, and posts it to the city website (BMC 10.65.090).
Violations & Fines
Under BMC 10.65.060 a school speed zone violation costs $139.00 at one to 15 miles per hour over the posted limit and $250.00 at 16 or more over, including statutory assessments. A stoplight violation carries the maximum penalty possible under RCW 46.63.170, plus statutory assessments. Failure to respond follows the standard court schedule for infractions. The registered owner is presumed responsible under BMC 10.65.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What violations do Bothell's traffic cameras enforce?
How much is a Bothell school zone speed camera ticket?
Does the camera photograph the driver?
How can a registered owner overcome the presumption of responsibility?
Sources & Official References
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