APPLICATION OF CODE

SEA-MC tit. 11, subtit. I, pt. 1, ch. 11.12

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.020 Uniformity of application

11.12.020 - Uniformity of application The provisions of this Subtitle I relating to the operation of vehicles shall be applicable to and uniform upon all persons operating vehicles upon the streets, alleys and ways open to the public of The City of Seattle except as otherwise specifically provided. (Ord. 108200, § 2, 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.060 Application to government vehicle.

11.12.060 - Application to government vehicle. The provisions of this subtitle shall apply to the operator of any vehicle owned by or used in the service of any government, including the United States government or any agency created by the United States, or of any foreign nation, or of this or any state, or of any political subdivision of this or any other state. (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.060), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.080 Exemption of authorized emergency vehicles.

11.12.080 - Exemption of authorized emergency vehicles. A. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this section, but subject to the conditions stated in this chapter. B. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may: 1. Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this subtitle; 2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation; 3. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property; 4. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions: Provided, that ambulances shall not exceed the posted speed limit by more than five (5) miles per hour and shall not proceed through stop signs or red traffic signal lights without first making a full stop and permitting traffic to clear the intersection; and provided further, that Fire Department vehicles, including aid cars and other vehicles, shall not be subject to the above restrictions on the operation of ambulances. C. The exemptions granted in this section to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of visual signals meeting the requirements of RCW 46.37.190, except that: 1. An authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle; 2. Authorized emergency vehicles shall use audible signals when necessary to warn others of the emergency nature of the situation but in no case shall they be required to use audible signals while parked or standing. D. The foregoing provisions shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others. (RCW 46.61.035) (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.080), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.100 Authorized work upon street.

11.12.100 - Authorized work upon street. The provisions of this subtitle relating to the operation of vehicles upon the streets or alleys of this City shall not apply to any persons, vehicles or other equipment while actually engaged in authorized work upon the surface of a street or alley insofar as suspension of the provisions of this subtitle are reasonably necessary for the carrying on of such work. Reasonable precautions must be taken to apprise and protect the users of such street or alley, in conformance with the guidelines set forth in the City's Traffic Control Manual for In-street Work which is adopted by reference, and three (3) copies of which are filed with the City Clerk. Such provisions of this subtitle shall apply to such persons, vehicles and other equipment when traveling to and from such works. The contract or permit for such authorized work shall set forth the extent of such suspension, and over what portions of the street or alley the suspensions shall apply. (RCW 46.61.030) (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.100), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.120 Traffic Control Manual for In-street Work.

11.12.120 - Traffic Control Manual for In-street Work. No person shall work on a street or alley area without providing flaggers, signs, barricades, and/or other traffic-control devices as established by the guidelines set forth in the City's Traffic Control Manual for In-street Work, which is adopted by reference, and three (3) copies of which are filed with the City Clerk, if such person is required to meet the guidelines of the Traffic Control Manual for In-street Work by a permit, contract, regulation or ordinance. (See Street Use Ordinance 90047.) [1] (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.120), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.130 Flagger required.

11.12.130 - Flagger required. No person other than a flagger or a peace officer shall direct or control traffic on or near a street or alley in which work is underway. (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.130), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.140 Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.

11.12.140 - Persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles. Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this subtitle except those provisions of this subtitle which by their very nature can have no application. (RCW 46.61.025) (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.140), 1979.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 11.12.160 Persons propelling pushcarts.

11.12.160 - Persons propelling pushcarts. Every person propelling any pushcart upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this subtitle except those provisions of this subtitle which by their very nature can have no application. (Ord. 108200, § 2(11.12.160), 1979.)

Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT11VETR_SUBTITLE_ITRCO_PT1GEPRAD_CH11.12APCOFetched: 11/1/2026