Edmonds, WA Parking Rules: Curb Color Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- City traffic engineer, ECC 8.48.170
- Marking options
- Signs, yellow curb paint, or yellow striping
- Tow zones
- Must say 'Tow Away Zone' on the sign
- Enforceability
- No violation until markings/signs are in place
Summary
Edmonds's traffic engineer can mark a no-parking zone by painting the curb yellow instead of, or in addition to, posting signs, under ECC 8.48.170. The words 'no parking' may be painted on the yellow curb itself, and any restriction has no legal effect until the markings or signs are actually in place.
Whenever by this title or any other ordinance of this city any parking time limit is imposed or parking prohibited on designated streets, it shall be the duty of the city traffic engineer to erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof; provided, however, that the city traffic engineer may designate such no parking zone by painting the curb yellow, in lieu of or in addition to posting no parking signs. The words “no parking” may also be painted on such yellow curb. Alternatively, the city traffic engineer may designate such no parking zone by painting yellow striping on the pavement. If this option is chosen, either the words “no parking” must be painted on the street adjacent to the yellow striping, or “no parking” signs must be erected adjacent to the yellow striping. No regulations imposing parking time limits or prohibiting parking shall be effective unless the signs and/or curb or pavement markings authorized herein are in place at the time of any alleged infraction. The words “Tow Away Zone” shall be added to signs in areas where impoundment is authorized under this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 4444, passed August 3, 2026).
Full Breakdown
170 gives the city traffic engineer three ways to mark a no-parking zone or parking time limit: erect signs, paint the curb yellow, or paint yellow striping on the pavement. If the engineer chooses curb paint, the words 'no parking' may also be stenciled directly on the yellow curb. If the engineer instead uses pavement striping, either 'no parking' must be painted on the street next to the stripe or a sign must be posted adjacent to it. Whichever method is used, the restriction has no legal force at all until the markings or signs required by this section are physically in place at the time of the alleged infraction.
64. A driver cannot be cited for violating a restriction that exists on paper in city code but was never actually painted or posted on the street.
Violations & Fines
There's no separate penalty tied to ECC 8.48.170 itself; it's an enabling section that authorizes curb painting and signage. Once a yellow curb, striping, or sign is properly in place, parking there becomes a general parking infraction under ECC 8.48.215, punishable by a $40.00 civil penalty for a first offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Edmonds have to post a sign, or is a yellow curb enough?
Can I get a ticket if the curb isn't actually painted yet?
How do I know if a spot is a tow-away zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Edmonds
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Curb Color Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle curb color rules.