CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Traffic Code; adding a new Section 11.72.445 to the Seattle Municipal Code to establish the authority to designate parking for truck tractors in the public right of way; and amending Section 11.31.121 to allow for enforcement of truck tractor parking.
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WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code (SMC) Section 11.14.685 defines “truck tractor” as “every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn”; and
WHEREAS, drayage is the transport of goods to and from other means of transportation over short distances in the shipping or logistics industry, such as a truck delivery between a seaport and a nearby intermodal facility; and
WHEREAS, there are an estimated 600 to 800 drayage truck tractors servicing the Port of Seattle (Port) facilities on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, drayage truck drivers typically own or lease the truck tractors they drive, and make multiple daily trips hauling transportation containers between the Port and nearby facilities; and
WHEREAS, drayage truck drivers come from diverse backgrounds, and for whom English is a second language for over 50 percent of the drivers, and most of whom live outside Seattle; and
WHEREAS, many drayage drivers currently park their truck tractors in the public right-of-way in Georgetown, South Park, SODO, and other Seattle neighborhoods near Port facilities; and
WHEREAS, some Seattle neighborhoods struggle with the density of overnight truck tractor parking on some streets, limiting parking and loading access for residents and visitors, causing damage to some streets not otherwise built to handle regular truck tractor use; and
WHEREAS, SMC Section 11.72.070 restricts parking of vehicles over 80 inches wide between midnight and 6 a.m. on streets or alleys except in industrial zones; and
WHEREAS, since 2014, the Port has allowed use of a portion of its property at Terminal 25 for the overnight parking of drayage truck tractors for approximately 120 trucks; and
WHEREAS, The City of Seattle (City) and the Port entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) associated with repair of the West Seattle Bridge that includes provisions that the City will provide 25 spaces available to for drayage truck tractors, explore opportunities to develop 70 additional spots and collaborate with the Port on a plan for additional cargo truck parking areas for a minimum of 100 additional trucks; and
WHEREAS, the Seattle Department of Transportation will identify space in the public right-of-way for truck tractor parking that will satisfy the City requirements for the West Seattle Bridge MOU; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new Section 11.72.445 is added to the Seattle Municipal Code as follows:
11.72.445 Truck tractor parking
No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle other than a truck tractor as defined in Section 11.14.685 in a space designated for truck tractor parking during the hours truck tractor parking is in effect as indicated by sign posting for the space. The Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation shall promulgate rules to implement this Section 11.72.445, including but not limited to a description of the justification for truck tractor parking zones, the criteria used to locate these zones, and the public outreach process for implementing these zones.
Section 2. Section 11.31.121 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125609, is amended as follows:
11.31.121 Monetary penalties-Parking infractions
The base monetary penalty for violation of each of the numbered provisions of the Seattle Municipal Code listed in the following table is as shown, unless and until the penalty shown below for a particular parking infraction is modified by Local Rule of the Seattle Municipal Court adopted pursuant to the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction ("IRLJ") or successor rules to the IRLJ:
|
Municipal Code reference |
Parking infraction short description |
Base penalty amount |
|
* * * |
|
11.72.440 |
OVER 72 HOURS |
$44 |
|
11.72.445 |
TRUCK TRACTOR PARKING |
$47 |
|
11.72.450 |
TYPE OF VEH. |
$47 |
|
* * * |
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2022, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2022.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this _____ day of _________________, 2022.
____________________________________
Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Elizabeth M. Adkisson, Interim City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments: