Use of No Parking Signs

We post 'No Parking' signs in specific locations using these criteria:
  • 'No Parking' signs may be installed where parking is causing a traffic safety concern, but would otherwise be legal
  • 'No Parking' signs are not installed where the legal parking of a vehicle is physically impossible (for example: little or no shoulder area)
  • Signs are not normally installed in locations that are already prohibited by the Rules of the Road (see below)
  • We do not install 'Parking' signs to show where parking is allowed
Authority and approval for parking restrictions must come from the county engineer.

Request Signs



Please contact our office at (253) 798-7253 if you think a location should be considered for 'No Parking' signs. Please be as specific as you can about the location including:
  • Name of the road where the parking occurs
  • Which side of the road
  • Nearby cross streets
  • Time/day that parked cars are normally there
A traffic engineer will use our criteria to evaluate your request for 'No Parking' signs.


Parking Reminders


The Washington State Drivers Guide gives the following tips:
  • Drivers are responsible for making sure that their vehicle is not a hazard when it is parked.
  • Whenever you park, be sure it is in a place that is far enough from any travel lane to avoid interfering with traffic and that it is visible to vehicles approaching from either direction.
  • If you must park on a roadway, park your vehicle as far away from traffic as possible and outside of the traveled way. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can.

Prohibited Parking


State law prohibits parking:
  • In an intersection
  • On a crosswalk or sidewalk
  • In a construction area if your vehicle will block traffic
  • In front of mailboxes during mail delivery
  • Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign
  • Within 20 feet of a pedestrian safety zone
  • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
  • Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
  • More than 12 inches from the curb
  • Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or within 75 feet of the fire station driveway on the other side of the street
  • Within 5 feet of a driveway, alley, private road or area of the curb removed or lowered for access to the sidewalk
  • On a bridge or overpass or in a tunnel or underpass
  • On the wrong side of the street
  • In a space marked for the disabled unless you have a disabled license plate or placard
  • On the road side of a parked vehicle (double parking)
  • On railroad tracks
  • On the shoulder of the freeway unless you have an emergency
  • Wherever there is a sign that says you cannot park
Contact Us
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Phone: (253) 798-7250

After Hours Emergency:
(253) 798-6000
Tacoma Mall Plaza
2702 S 42nd St, Suite 109
Tacoma, WA 98409