Pierce County, WA Mobility & Curb Rules: Red-Light Cameras (2026)
Key Facts
- Camera cap
- 6 cameras countywide (PCC 10.42.010.B.3)
- Eligible locations
- Only arterial-to-arterial intersections
- Warning period
- Mandatory 30 days before fines (10.42.040)
- Notice deadline
- Mailed to owner within 14 days
- Privacy limit
- No driver or passenger face images
- Penalty basis
- Same as RCW 46.61.050 parking fine
- Operator
- Pierce County Sheriff and commissioned staff
Summary
Pierce County runs automated traffic safety cameras at arterial intersections to catch red-light runners, capped at six cameras countywide under PCC 10.42.010. The Sheriff's Office operates the system, cameras may only capture the vehicle and license plate, and every new camera location gets a mandatory 30-day warning period before any fine is issued.
The use of automated traffic safety cameras to detect a violation of the RCW Sections adopted by reference in WAC 308-330-421 is authorized at intersections where two arterial roadways intersect, or meet, subject to the restrictions specified in state law (RCW 46.63.170).
A. Law enforcement officers of Pierce County and any other persons commissioned by the Sheriff of Pierce County are authorized to use automated traffic cameras and related automated systems to detect stoplight violations.
B. The use of automated traffic safety cameras is subject to the following restrictions:
1. Use of traffic safety cameras is restricted to two arterial intersections;
2. Automated traffic safety cameras may only take pictures and video images of the vehicle and vehicle license plate and only while an infraction is occurring. Pictures and video images taken by automated traffic safety cameras may not reveal the face of the driver or of the passengers in the vehicle.
3. Authorization is limited for up to six automated traffic safety cameras.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
010 authorizes automated traffic safety cameras only where two arterial roadways intersect, limits the county to six cameras total, and restricts what they may record: images must show only the vehicle and license plate while an infraction is occurring, never a clear view of the driver's or passengers' faces. Law enforcement officers of Pierce County, and anyone else the Sheriff commissions, are the only people authorized to operate the equipment. 040 requires a mandatory 30-day warning period at each new location before any monetary penalty can be enforced.
020 requires the notice of infraction be mailed to the registered owner within 14 days; if the vehicle is a rental, the agency must first notify the rental company in writing, giving it 18 days to name the actual driver under oath, swear it cannot identify the driver, or pay the penalty itself. Certificates based on the camera images are prima facie evidence admissible in the infraction proceeding. 050 rather than a moving violation. 060 bars the county from paying its camera vendor a cut of fine revenue; compensation must be based only on equipment and service value. 34 RCW to run the program.
Violations & Fines
A camera-detected red-light violation is processed as a parking infraction, not a moving violation, with a penalty matching the comparable fine under RCW 46.61.050. The registered owner (or renter) gets a mailed notice of infraction within 14 days of the violation. Rental car businesses have 18 days after written notice to identify the driver under oath, state they cannot identify the driver, or pay the penalty themselves to close the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many red light cameras can Pierce County operate?
Is there a warning period before I get a ticket?
How much is the fine for a red light camera violation?
What happens if my rental car is photographed running a red light?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pierce County
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