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PUBLIC GARAGE OR PARKING LOT

SEA-MC tit. 6, subtit. I, ch. 6.48
in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.010 Definitions.

6.48.010 - Definitions. A. "Accessory parking facility," as used in this chapter, includes any public garage or parking lot, not more than four thousand (4,000) square feet in size, to which there are multiple entrances, and in or upon which the parking, storage and keeping of motor vehicles is accessory to another business conducted on such public garage or parking lot premises. B. For purposes of interpreting Sections 6.48.040 through 6.48.080, the terms "agent," "employee," or "contractor," shall include but not be limited to any person, firm, partnership, or corporation immobilizing vehicles on public garage or parking lot premises or removing vehicles from public garage or parking lot premises with the express, implied, written, or unwritten permission of the licensee, whether for compensation by wage, salary, piece rate, commission or not at all. C. "Indoor parking facility," as used in this chapter, includes any public garage or parking lot in which all of the motor vehicles are parked, stored or kept indoors. D. "Public garage or parking lot," as used in this chapter, includes any room, building, shed, enclosure, outdoor space, uncovered plot, lot, parcel, yard or other place open to the public, where motor vehicles are parked, stored or kept, and a charge is made for such parking, storing, or keeping. (Ord. 105177, § 1, 1975: Ord. 104297, §§ 1 and 5(part), 1975: Ord. 48022 §§ 146 and 148-F, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.020 License required—Fee

6.48.020 - License required—Fee It is unlawful for any person to own, operate, or maintain a public garage or parking lot without first having obtained a license to do so. A. The fee for such license is hereby fixed at the rate of $10.25 per year for each 1,000 square feet of floor or ground space contained in such parking garage or parking lot and used for parking or storage purposes; and B. The Director shall review annually the licensing fee in this Section 6.48.020 and may make any necessary adjustments in a Director's Rule to ensure the fee achieves full cost recovery of the Department's administrative, enforcement, and other regulatory costs based on, but not limited to consideration of the following factors: 1. The projected costs and annual budget allotted for administrative, enforcement, and regulatory costs across the parking garage and parking lot industry; and 2. The need for increased enforcement to reduce illegal activity. (Ord. 125703, § 1, 2018; Ord. 122192, § 11, 2006; Ord. 120978, § 2, 2002: Ord. 118395, § 8, 1996: Ord. 116464, § 4, 1992; Ord. 113185, § 1(part), 1986: Ord. 110888, § 1(part), 1982: Ord. 109502, § 1(part), 1980: Ord. 104297, § 2, 1975; Ord. 83500, § 4, 1954; Ord. 48022 § 147, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.030 Duty toward safety, reports, and inspections.

6.48.030 - Duty toward safety, reports, and inspections. A. It is the duty of any person operating and maintaining a public garage or parking lot to keep such garage or parking lot as free as practicable from fire hazard, and to comply with all laws relating to buildings, health and sanitation. B. It is unlawful for the owner of a public garage or parking lot, or any agent or employee of such owner to refuse admission to any public officer for the purpose of inspecting any and all motor vehicles parked, kept or stored therein, or to fail, neglect or refuse to notify the Police Department of the presence of any such vehicle believed to have been stolen, or of any indication that any other crime or violation has been committed, or is about to be committed, by persons bringing a motor vehicle into a public garage or parking lot. (Ord. 104297, § 3, 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.040 Signs—Posting of rates.

6.48.040 - Signs—Posting of rates. A. Except as otherwise provided in subsections B and C of this section, it is unlawful for any person to demand or collect any charge for parking or for keeping or storing any motor vehicle in any public garage or parking lot unless there is erected and maintained at or near each entrance to such public garage or parking lot a permanent sign which is adequate to apprise anyone entering for the purpose of using such garage or parking lot of the following information and conforming to the following standards: 1. The word "park" or "parking" shall be clearly displayed on the sign, and the true or assumed name of the licensee shall be clearly identified at the top or the bottom of the sign, and such signs shall contain no other advertising. Any licensee using a trade or assumed name shall, when applying for a license or renewal thereof, furnish the Director with a certified copy of the filing with the County Clerk showing such trade or assumed name. 2. Signs shall contain numbers and letters indicating the time units and rate or rates for parking which are clearly readable and visible from a distance of 50 feet; provided, that, if a rate charged for any time period is higher than the rate usually charged for that time period the higher rate shall be designated on a sign in letters and numbers not less than 1.33 times the size of the largest letter or numeral indicating the rate usually charged, and the sign shall clearly indicate that a special rate is being charged. 3. Signs indicating more than one rate and time interval shall contain figures for each rate and time interval; rates shall be listed with the shortest time interval on the top and the all-day rate on the bottom. 4. Signs shall indicate any hours when the public garage or parking lot is not open for public parking and shall specify the night parking rate or weekend parking rate when such rate(s) differ from regularly posted rates. 5. Signs shall indicate specific hours when a night rate is applicable and/or specific days and hours when a weekend rate is applicable. 6. If any rate other than an all-day rate is to be charged, the maximum rate for all-day parking must be posted. 7. All numbers and letters on such signs shall be of a contrasting color to the background thereon. 8. The bottom line of rate information shall be at least six feet above the sidewalk level; provided that it may be lower if rate information cannot be obstructed at any time. B. As to indoor parking facilities, such signs shall not be required to be erected and maintained at or near each entrance thereof and may alternatively be erected and maintained inside each entrance if: 1. Such signs are clearly readable and visible from a point within the indoor parking facility and from which point a motor vehicle can immediately and conveniently exit; 2. Such signs conform to the standards set forth in paragraphs 1 through 7 of subsection A, and in addition contain a statement indicating the immediate exit to be taken by a driver desiring to leave after reading the sign; and 3. No charge is demanded or collected for any motor vehicle which immediately exits following the reading of such a sign. C. As to accessory parking facilities, such signs shall not be required to be maintained at or near the entrances thereof and may alternatively be erected and maintained within or immediately adjacent to each area in which motor vehicles are parked, stored or kept if: 1. Each such sign is clearly readable and visible from all points within each such area; and 2. Each such sign conforms to the standards set forth in paragraphs 1 through 8 of subsection A. D. It is unlawful for any person to demand or collect any charge for the parking, keeping or storing of any motor vehicle in a public garage or parking lot in excess of the rates posted; provided, however, that the provisions of this section pertaining to the posting of parking rates shall not apply to rates which are determined by weekly, monthly, or longer periods of time, or to rates determined by written contract. E. It is unlawful to demand or collect any charge for the parking, keeping or storing of any motor vehicle in a public garage or parking lot unless there is posted and maintained upon the premises of the public garage or parking lot at or near each place of payment, a public notice approved by the Director of Finance and Administrative Services. Such notice shall contain the following public convenience information: 1. The name and phone number of the licensee and the street address of the garage or lot; 2. Parking rates posted in the same order as listed on the parking sign; 3. The appropriate locations for making payment; 4. The name, address, and telephone number of the person, firm or agent authorized to impound in place or remove vehicles from the garage or lot; and 5. Any other information pertinent to the operation of the public garage or parking lot as specified by administrative regulations promulgated by the Director of Finance and Administrative Services. (Ord. 123361, § 213, 2010; Ord. 120794, § 168, 2002: Ord. 117169, § 83, 1994; Ord. 106967, § 1, 1977; Ord. 105177, § 2, 1975; Ord. 104297, §§ 4, 5, 1975; Ord. 91059, 1962; Ord. 48022 §§ 148-A, 148-B, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.050 Immobilization of vehicle for delinquent parking fee.

6.48.050 - Immobilization of vehicle for delinquent parking fee. A. It is unlawful for anyone to remove or cause to be removed any part from a motor vehicle to immobilize such motor vehicle in order to secure payment for a delinquent parking fee or charge, and it is unlawful to restrict the movement of or immobilize any motor vehicle parked or stored in a public garage or parking lot in any manner except as provided in this section. B. For enforcement of a storage lien for parking, keeping or storing such motor vehicle, any licensee, or an employee, agent or contractor of such licensee may immobilize such motor vehicle only by the attachment of such external device or devices, approved by the Director of Finance and Administrative Services for such purpose, as may be necessary to prevent removal of such vehicle and only if: 1. The person so immobilizing the vehicle shall affix conspicuously to the vehicle a written notice stating the name and address of the person or firm who immobilized the vehicle and the address and telephone number of a person authorized and available to release the vehicle; and 2. The person immobilizing the vehicle, or an agent, employee, or contractor authorized to release the vehicle is accessible at all times at the address and telephone number indicated on the notice; or 3. The licensee or an agent, employee, or contractor of such licensee is on the premises authorized and able to release the vehicle within one hour after the vehicle's owner, operator, or person entitled to its possession shall request its release; and 4. The vehicle is released immediately after tender of payment of posted parking charges due and unpaid at the time of the request for release together with the posted impound fee. (Ord. 123361, § 214, 2010; Ord. 120794, § 169, 2002: Ord. 117169, § 84, 1994; Ord. 104297, § 5 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-C, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.060 Obstruction of egress from garage or lot.

6.48.060 - Obstruction of egress from garage or lot. It is unlawful to allow or permit motor vehicles to be parked, kept or stored in a public garage or parking lot in any manner which would prevent the removal of such vehicle or any other vehicle from the garage or lot unless the licensee, or an agent, employee, or contractor of such licensee shall remain in attendance on the premises at all times when any vehicle is parked in such manner. (Ord. 104297, § 5 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-D, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.070 Removal of vehicle.

6.48.070 - Removal of vehicle. It is unlawful for any licensee, or any agent, employee, or contractor of such licensee to remove a vehicle from a public garage or parking lot unless the person authorized to release the vehicle is accessible at all times at the address and telephone indicated on the public information notice as specified in Section 6.48.060. (Ord. 104297, § 5 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-E, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.080 Revocation, suspension or refusal to issue license.

6.48.080 - Revocation, suspension or refusal to issue license. In addition to such other grounds as may be provided in this subtitle for refusal to issue, revocation or suspension of the license required by Section 6.48.020, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services may refuse to issue, or may revoke or suspend such license upon a finding that a licensee has by defraud or misrepresentation, violated any provision of this chapter or any other law, ordinance, rule or regulation. (Ord. 123361, § 215, 2010; Ord. 120794, § 170, 2002: Ord. 117169, § 85, 1994: Ord. 104297, § 5 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-G, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.090 Exits.

6.48.090 - Exits. Each exit from a public garage or parking lot shall be clearly marked. (Ord. 106967, § 2, 1977: Ord. 105177, § 3 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-H, 1924.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 6.48.100 Numbers on parking stalls.

6.48.100 - Numbers on parking stalls. It is unlawful to demand or collect any charge for the parking, keeping or storing of any motor vehicle in any public garage or parking lot in which motor vehicles park in numbered stalls, payments are placed in correspondingly numbered slots, and receipts are not dispensed to patrons, unless the numbers marked on the parking stalls are clearly readable by persons parking therein. (Ord. 105177, § 3 (part), 1975: Ord. 48022 § 148-I, 1924.)
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=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_ILICO_CH6.48PUGAPALOFetched: 11/1/2026

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