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King County, WA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Authority
County traffic engineer, K.C.C. 14.06.020
Applies to
Unincorporated county roads only
Marking method
Signs or stenciled curb words
Excludes
Seattle and 30+ other cities

Summary

The county traffic engineer picks where loading zones, passenger-loading zones, and tow-away zones go on county roads and marks them with signs or words stenciled right on the curb, plus the hours the restriction applies.

City-specific rules exist: Renton, Kirkland, Federal Way, and Seattle have their own curb color rules rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

N. Determine the location of loading zones, passenger loading zones and tow-away zones, and shall place and maintain appropriate signs or curb markings supplemented with the appropriate words stenciled on the curb indicating the same and stating the hours during which the provisions of this chapter are applicable;

O. Establish bus stops, bus stands, taxicab stands and stands for other for-hire vehicles on county roads, in such places and in such a number as the traffic engineer determines to be of the greatest benefit and convenience to the public, and every such a bus stop, bus stand, taxicab stand or other stand shall be designated by appropriate signs or by curb markings supplemented with the appropriate words stenciled on the curb;

P. Erect and maintain traffic control devices on any county road or part thereof to impose gross weight limits on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation;

Q. Erect and maintain traffic control devices on any county road or part thereof to prohibit the operation of trucks exceeding ten thousand pounds gross vehicle weight on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, but the devices shall not prohibit necessary local operation on such county roads for the purpose of making a pickup or delivery;

R. Erect and maintain traffic control devices on any county road or part thereof to impose vehicle size restrictions on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation;

Full Breakdown

Under King County Code § 14.06.020, the traffic engineer holds sole authority to designate loading zones, passenger-loading zones, and tow-away zones on county roads and to mark them with signs or curb stenciling stating the applicable hours. This is unincorporated King County's traffic code; it governs county roads outside city limits and does not apply inside Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, Shoreline, Issaquah, or the county's roughly 27 other incorporated cities, each of which sets its own curb-marking rules under its own municipal code.

Violations & Fines

Parking against a curb stenciled or signed as a loading, passenger-loading, or tow-away zone outside the posted hours violates the marking; the King County Sheriff's Office can cite the vehicle and have it towed and impounded under K.C.C. 14.01.195.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this cover curb colors in Seattle?
No. Seattle sets its own curb-marking and loading-zone rules under the Seattle Municipal Code; this King County provision only reaches unincorporated county roads.
Who decides where a tow-away zone goes?
The King County traffic engineer, who under K.C.C. 14.06.020 determines the location and posts signs or stencils the curb with the applicable hours.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington parking rules overview

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Curb Color Rules in Cities Across King County