As of May 2024

Status: Program beginning this summer. 

Over the past few years, mixed-use zones around the city have seen a lot of new development; this includes along the Aurora Corridor and Ballinger Way NE, in the North City neighborhood, and the light rail station areas. With these developments, there come concerns about parking. Other cities in the region that have already opened light rail stations have experienced an increased need for parking enforcement due to new developments around transit and people who use transit parking in neighborhoods, also known as “hide and ride parking.” In response to these issues, the City is implementing a new parking enforcement program this summer.

Citywide Parking Enforcement 

The City has developed a Parking Enforcement Program to address potential light rail impacts and general parking enforcement efforts throughout the city. We have hired two parking enforcement officers to monitor traffic and parking impacts. This summer, parking enforcement officers will be focused on educational efforts, showing drivers where and how to park legally on Shoreline streets. However, they will also be writing citations for violators of current parking laws.  In addition to hiring these two officers, the City has purchased an all-electric parking enforcement vehicle, purchased the hardware and software for the enforcement program, and chosen a vendor for a potential restricted parking zone (RPZ) program. The Code Enforcement/Customer Response Team will manage the Parking Enforcement Program.

Common infractions parking enforcement officers will cite include parking too close to mailboxes, driveways, and intersections, parking more than 12 inches from a curb, and parking within a bike lane. Parking enforcement officers will also have the authority to ticket and tow abandoned and inoperable vehicles in the right of way. Look for upcoming Currents articles about parking infractions and how to prevent getting a parking ticket in Shoreline. 

Parking study for restricted parking zones 

Sound Transit is required to complete a parking study near the Shoreline stations before and after light rail starts operating. The goal of the study is to determine how the light rail stations affect parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. If there are problems, the study will include ways to deal with those problems. If data from the study shows that the opening of the light rail stations reduced on-street parking capacity, then one possible way to address the problem would be to start using RPZs.

RPZs are residential areas around transit centers - like a light rail station – where a City restricts on-street parking to permit holders during certain hours and/or for certain time periods. Residents within the boundary of an RPZ would be eligible for a certain number of permits. We would determine the size and scope of an RPZ through data collected in the parking study. An enforcement mechanism must be in place to ensure people without permits do not park in the RPZ for more than the allowed time limit. Any RPZs near light rail stations would be effective nine to twelve months after light rail stations open.  

Did you receive a parking ticket? 

To pay a fine or dispute a parking ticket please contact the King County District Court. The website includes ways to set up payment plans. You will not be able to pay or dispute your parking ticket at Shoreline City Hall.