Notice of traffic infraction—Issuance
Seattle Mun. Code § 11.31.020
in effect11.31.020 - Notice of traffic infraction—Issuance
A. A peace officer has the authority to issue a notice of traffic infraction:
1. When the infraction is committed in the officer's presence;
2. When the officer is acting upon the request of a law enforcement officer in whose presence the traffic infraction was committed;
3. If an officer investigating at the scene of a motor vehicle accident has reasonable cause to believe that the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the accident has committed a traffic infraction;
4. When a traffic infraction is detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera or an automated school bus safety camera as authorized pursuant to chapter 46.63 RCW and Section 11.50.570. A trained and authorized civilian employee of the Seattle Police Department, or a trained and authorized civilian employee of the Seattle Department of Transportation performing under the supervision of a qualified traffic engineer, has the authority to review infractions detected through the use of an automated traffic safety camera or automated school bus safety camera to issue notices of infraction. These employees must be sufficiently trained and certified in reviewing infractions and issuing notices of infraction by qualified peace officers or by traffic engineers employed in the Seattle Police Department or the Seattle Department of Transportation; or
5. If an officer is investigating a violation of Section 11.58.440.
B. A court may issue a notice of traffic infraction upon receipt of a written statement of the officer that there is reasonable cause to believe that an infraction was committed.
(Ord. 127213, § 2, 2025; Ord. 127056, § 3, 2024; Ord. 124950, § 5, 2015; Ord. 123946, § 4, 2012; Ord. 123170, § 1, 2009; Ord. 121944, § 2, 2005; Ord. 109476, § 1, 1980; Ord. 108200, § 2(11.31.020), 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_PT3EN_CH11.31DITROF_11.31.020NOTRINSSFetched: 11/1/2026