Burien, WA Parking Rules: Driveway Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle cap
- Four motor vehicles per residential lot
- Condition for each vehicle
- Currently licensed and operable
- Operable test
- Operated on a public highway in the previous 30 days
- Temporary parking exemption
- 72 hours within a 30-day period on approved impervious surface
- Extra vehicles
- One per licensed driver over four at the address
- Exempt vehicles
- Motorcycles and mopeds
Summary
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC § 10.11.030 allows no more than four motor vehicles on a residential lot, and each must be currently licensed and operable. BMC 10.11.040 adds one vehicle per licensed driver over four at the same address and exempts temporary 72-hour parking on an approved impervious surface.
No more than four motor vehicles shall be parked on a residential lot. Each motor vehicle must be currently licensed and operable. ... (1) If more than four licensed drivers reside at the same address, an additional motor vehicle for each licensed driver over four may be parked at that particular address; however, each licensed driver must have that particular address on his or her license. ... (b) Temporary parking for a duration not to exceed 72 hours within a 30-day period on an approved impervious surface or in a garage or carport pursuant to BMC 19.20.100(10)(B);
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10.11 BMC, Parking on Residential Property, regulates how many vehicles can sit on a lot in the City of Burien, King County, Washington. Its purpose section says the primary purpose of yards on residential property is to provide access to light and air and to provide circulation, recreation and landscaping around the primary dwelling, and it declares parking in violation of the chapter a public nuisance. The operative rule is BMC 10.11.030: no more than four motor vehicles on a residential lot, each currently licensed and operable.
An operable vehicle is capable of being operated legally on a public highway and has in fact been operated on one in the previous 30 days. Residential means areas zoned RS-A, RS-12,000, RS-7,200, RM-12, RM-18 and RM-24, and a residential lot is a parcel identifiable by a parcel number or an address. If more than four licensed drivers reside at the same address, one additional vehicle is allowed for each licensed driver over four, and each driver must have that address on his or her license.
The chapter does not apply to vehicles inside a lawfully permitted and constructed building, apartment or other complexes with an approved building and parking plan, permitted construction areas, or motorcycles and mopeds. Temporary parking not exceeding 72 hours within a 30-day period is exempt on an approved impervious surface or in a garage or carport pursuant to BMC 19.20.100(10)(B). The chapter states that zoning parking requirements are found in Chapter 19.20 BMC.
Violations & Fines
BMC 10.11.010 declares parking in violation of the chapter a public nuisance, and BMC 8.45.070 says nuisances are enforced under Chapter 1.15 BMC. Under BMC 1.15.090, a first offense is a class 2 civil infraction with a maximum penalty of $125.00, and later violations are class 1 civil infractions with a maximum of $250.00. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense under BMC 1.15.080(2).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vehicles can I park at my Burien house?
Can a larger household park more cars in Burien?
What counts as an operable vehicle?
Does this chapter set front-yard or surface standards for driveways?
Sources & Official References
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