Washington County, WI Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Chapter 200, Article I of the Code of Washington County governs stopping and parking on County highways. Section 200-5D lists places where a vehicle cannot be left standing except while actively loading or unloading, receiving or discharging passengers, with a licensed operator behind the wheel ready to move it: within four feet of an alley, private road or driveway entrance; within 10 feet of a fire hydrant; in an alley in a business district; closer than 15 feet to a crosswalk; and in a loading zone. Blocking a driveway or alley entrance under this four-foot rule is treated the same as any other prohibited-parking violation.

Section 200-5E sets how a legally parked vehicle must sit on the street. Where two-way traffic is allowed and angle parking is not signed, a vehicle must be parked parallel to the curb, headed in the direction of traffic, on the right side of the street, effectively banning the common practice of parking against the flow of traffic. Parallel-parked vehicles must sit within 12 inches of the curb and leave at least two feet front and rear from neighboring vehicles unless signs indicate a different system. On one-way or divided streets, drivers follow whatever pattern the posted markers show.

The Sheriff's Office enforces Chapter 200 under § 200-8B and issues citations that conform to § 345.28, Wis. Stats., letting a driver mail the forfeiture to the Sheriff's Office within 10 days instead of appearing in court. If the operator cannot be identified, the vehicle's registered owner is presumed responsible for the violation under § 200-8E.