Back in November, we published a short post on proposed new RPZ’s (Residential Parking Zones) in the neighborhood. Here are some more details and the most recent developments.
I checked in with Ruth Harper, Seattle’s RPZ Director, who immediately said how impressed she was our great response to last fall’s Wallingford RPZ Survey. Well done, neighbors! Her department is still busy analyzing the results and finalizing the RPZ Proposal, which will be mailed out to us in late February/early March.
As found by last fall’s Seattle Department of Transportation’s Wallingford RPZ Study (the first step in the RPZ process) there are now newly-identified Wallingford block clusters that qualify for new RPZ’s. This conclusion is based on several factors, including various complicated percentages revealed by the Wallingford RPZ Study.
According to the Study, the newly-identified blocks that are RPZ-qualified from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on weekdays, and after 8:00 PM on weekends, are:
- Blocks between I-5 and about Eastern, between 42nd and 50th
- One block just north and just south of 45th, from I-5 to about Midvale.
- Clusters of blocks at the west end of 45th near Stone Way, and another group east of Wallingford Ave.
The next step in the Wallingford RPZ process comes to our mailboxes in the next few months. As outlined above, we’ll all be sent the official Wallingford RPZ Proposal in late February/early March, along with a link to an online address for our comments and concerns. If “appropriate” (Department of Transportation term), a public hearing will be held later this spring for further input, but keep in mind that the SDOT Director will make the final Wallingford RPZ decisions.
If your block becomes an RPZ, here’s what you need to know:
- You’ll need to purchase an RPZ permit from the City, in the form of a windshield decal for each of your vehicles, in order for that vehicle to be exempt from the RPZ time limits (usually non-permitted vehicles can park for only 2 hours, and only at certain times of the day).
- Each RPZ permit decal currently costs $65 for two years.
- You can also purchase 1 guest permit allowed per household. (There are exceptions to the 4-decal limit for certain households, such as group adult homes and assisted living facilities.)
- Each decal is assigned to a certain vehicle, and lists the household address and license plate number. Free decal replacements are available if you replace your vehicle, or if the vehicle windshield gets broken and replaced (the decal is affixed to the windshield).
- You must prove that you live in the RPZ in order to qualify for a permit, but you do not have to be a home owner. RPZ permits are available to renters, too. You must provide proof of residence with a recent utility bill, rental agreement, bank statement, or other document. You also must provide a copy of your vehicle’s Washington State Registration. (Low-income permits and permit waivers are available to those who qualify.)
- The permit and decals are valid only for the RPZ listed, and not for adjacent or any other RPZ’s. Also, you can only park within 6 blocks of your residence, even within your own RPZ, or risk a citation.
- Motorcycles and scooters are exempt from any of the RPZ regulations citywide.
There are many, many other RPZ rules and regulations, which you can read here.
So, that’s the latest. Watch your mailbox for that RPZ Proposal, coming soon.