Vancouver, WA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Alleys
- No parking unless loading or unloading, or driver at the wheel
- Obstructing traffic
- Barred on traveled roadway and bicycle lane (VMC 19.12.090)
- Prohibited parking fine
- $40.00 within 30 days, $65.00 after
- Street sweeping notice
- Temporary signs placed 24 hours in advance
- Long vehicle loading limit
- Over thirty feet needs chief of police permit in business districts
- Impound costs
- Paid by the vehicle's owner
Summary
Vancouver, Washington bans parking in any alley unless the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded or a driver is at the wheel able to move it. No vehicle can be parked on a highway in a way that obstructs vehicular or bicycle traffic on the traveled roadway or bicycle lane.
No vehicle shall be parked in any alley, except when actually engaged in loading or unloading some commodity or when there is a driver at the wheel capable of moving the same. ... No person shall park any vehicle upon any highway in a manner which obstructs or otherwise interferes with vehicular or bicycle traffic upon the traveled portions of the roadway and bicycle lane.
Full Breakdown
Two short sections in VMC chapter 19.12 carry the core street rules. VMC 19.12.070 covers alleys: no vehicle shall be parked in any alley, except when actually engaged in loading or unloading some commodity or when there is a driver at the wheel capable of moving the same. VMC 19.12.090 covers obstruction: no person shall park any vehicle upon any highway in a manner which obstructs or otherwise interferes with vehicular or bicycle traffic upon the traveled portions of the roadway and bicycle lane. The bicycle lane language, added by Ord. M-4168 in 2016, puts a car parked in a bike lane in violation.
The rest of the chapter fills in specifics. VMC 19.12.030 bars stopping, standing or parking on any highway in a way that interferes with public works sweeping or maintenance after public notice by permanent signs or temporary signs placed 24 hours in advance, and a vehicle in violation can be cited or removed under RCW 46.55. VMC 19.12.050 makes backing in unlawful in the public parking facilities the city operates. VMC 19.12.060 requires commercial vehicles loading at a business district curb to stand at right angles with rear wheels to the curb where length permits, and bars vehicles longer than thirty feet from stopping for loading on business district streets without a written permit from the chief of police. VMC 19.12.020 makes it unlawful to move a vehicle between spaces to evade time limits, and authorizes chalk marks on tires, which no person can erase. VMC 19.12.010 lets the city traffic engineer provide for parking within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant so long as hydrant access is not blocked. VMC 19.12.110 requires current and proper license plates on any vehicle parked on a street or alley.
The city's reference table in VMC 19.13.070 lists blocking a driveway under RCW 46.61.570(1)(b)(i) and obstructing traffic under VMC 19.12.090.
Violations & Fines
Obstructing traffic is listed under Prohibited Parking in VMC 19.13.070, and VMC 19.13.050(E) sets prohibited parking penalties at $40.00 if paid or postmarked within 30 calendar days and $65.00 after 30 days. Moving to evade is $35.00 and $60.00 on the same timing, and expired tabs is $50.00 and $75.00. Under VMC 19.14.010(B), officers are authorized to remove and impound vehicles violating the parking provisions, and impoundment and storage costs are paid by the vehicle's owner. Unpaid penalties after thirty days can lead to collection agency referral under VMC 19.13.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park in an alley in Vancouver, WA?
Is parking in a bike lane against the code?
What happens if I park where street sweeping is scheduled?
Can I move my car a few spaces to beat a time limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Vancouver
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