Tire cleats and chains.
Seattle Mun. Code § 11.84.200
in effect11.84.200 - Tire cleats and chains.
A. No tire on a vehicle moved on a street or alley shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery equipped with pneumatic tires or solid rubber tracks having protuberances which will not injure the street and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains, alternate traction devices or metal studs imbedded within the tire of reasonable proportions and of a type conforming to rules adopted by the State Patrol upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid: Provided, that it shall be unlawful to use metal studs imbedded within the tire between April 1 st and November 1 st , except that a vehicle may be equipped year-round with tires that have retractable studs if the studs retract pneumatically or mechanically to below the wear bar of the tire when not in use and are engaged only between November 1 st and April 1 st : Provided further, that the use of tires with metal studs imbedded therein shall be lawful during additional periods when the State Department of Transportation so determines.
B. Tires with metal studs imbedded therein may be used between November 1st and April 1st upon school buses and Fire Department vehicles, any law or regulation to the contrary notwithstanding. (RCW 46.37.420(2), (4))
(Ord. 123946, § 15, 2012; Ord. 122742, § 35, 2008; Ord. 108200, § 2(11.84.200), 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_PT8EQRE_CH11.84BRMIEQ_11.84.200TICLCHFetched: 11/1/2026